A Record-Breaking Scuba Adventure
Corhonda Dawson, a Memphis mom and occupational therapist, just made history. She shattered the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive on all seven continents—in just 11 days, 19 hours, and 23 minutes.
She crushed the previous record of 19 days, set by Barrington Scott in December. But for Dawson, this wasn’t just about winning. “It’s about introducing ocean exploration to people from urban communities who don’t always get that chance,” she said.
From Antarctica to Los Angeles in Less Than Two Weeks
Dawson’s epic journey began April 1 in Whalers Bay, Antarctica, where she braved near-freezing waters. She finished on April 13 in Los Angeles, with her two daughters cheering her on.
Her strategy? “Always travel west to east—never north or south,” she told WREG. This kept her on track without wasting time. Despite storms in Rio de Janeiro and tight schedules, she pushed through. “A lot of divers would’ve passed on those conditions, but I had to get it done,” she said.
A Trailblazer for Black Women in Scuba Diving
Last November, Dawson became the first African American woman to dive all seven continents. It took her five months then—but she wasn’t done. When someone broke her record, she came back stronger. “I’m from Memphis—you know I had to reclaim it,” she laughed.
Now, she hopes her achievement inspires more Black women to explore the ocean. “Before you can save the ocean, you’ve got to learn to swim,” she said. Her motto? “Swim, Dive, Thrive.”
A Family Affair and a Message of Persistence
Dawson didn’t do this alone. Her daughters, both scuba divers, joined her in Los Angeles for the final dive. She also thanked Aurora Expeditions, her travel group, for helping her complete the mission in record time.
Her message is clear: adventure is for everyone. Whether breaking records or just trying something new, Dawson proves that with grit, anything is possible.
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