Oldest scuba diver

Larnaca, Cyprus – September 6, 2017 – Ray Woolley from Port Sunlight, UK, spent his 94th birthday on August 28 diving 38 metres underwater on the wreck of the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ferry that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1980 off the coast of Larnaca in Cyprus, thus setting the new world record for the Oldest scuba diver.

Photo: Ray Woolley’s record attempt at age 94 saw him spend 41 minutes at a maximum depth of 38.1 metres (125 feet) diving on the wreck of the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ferry that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1980 off the coast of Larnaca in Cyprus.

The Guinness World Records world record for the oldest scuba diver (from shore) is Saul Moss (Australia, b. 27 July 1924) who completed an unassisted dive at Bare Island, Sydney, Australia, on 1 August 2009, at the age of 85 years and 14 days.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest scuba diving lesson; it was attended by 2,465 people and was achieved in Malalayang beach, Manado, Indonesia, during an event organised by the Indonesian Navy, on 16 August 2009.

Ray’s record attempt at age 94 saw him spend 41 minutes at a maximum depth of 38.1 metres (125 feet) diving on the wreck of the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ferry that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1980 off the coast of Larnaca in Cyprus.

The current Guinness world record for the world’s oldest scuba diver is held by American Erwin Paul Staller, who completed a dive of 36 minutes at a maximum depth of 15.8 metres (52 feet) at Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos on October 24, 2014 at the age of 93 years and 163 days.

The great-grandfather of 12 swims for two hours a day and said he believes in staying as active as possible.

Ray is a member of BSAC, the national governing body for scuba diving and has 120 dive centres up and down the country and abroad.