New record for World's Oldest SCUBA Diver

Just days after his 96th birthday, Ray Woolley dived the Zenobia Wreck in Larnaca, reaching a depth of 42.4m during a 48 minute dive.

The Zenobia wreck is said to be one of the top ten wrecks to dive in the world, and 57 divers from both military and local clubs joined Ray in the water for the special occasion. After posing for a photograph with the divers from the Western & Eastern Sovereign Base Area Sub-Aqua clubs, Ray descended to the seabed with the most qualified of his buddies. 

In order to set the Guinness World Record another year older Ray needed to dive to 12m for a minimum of 30 minutes. His 48 minute dive, to a maximum depth of 42.4metres, should leave Guinness World Records without any doubt that a new record has been set. Ray said:

"Normally when you dive you just have a dive buddy. To have and see that number of people, I'm just over the moon. I'm hoping perhaps if I can keep fit, and my dive buddies will still say 'OK we'll dive with you', I hope next year, perhaps to do it again."

It wasn't just divers who came out to join Ray, as he also encountered a beautiful loggerhead turtle during the dive, helping it out from a tight spot on the wreck. These beautiful endangered creatures are seen in the waters around Cyprus, and at this time of year the females of the species visit the beaches to lay nests which are protected by conservation projects in an attempt to increase the population size. 

BFBS's Jade Callaway joined Ray for the dive, and joined many others in offering her congratulations once they had safely surfaced. We're already looking forward to your attempt next year.