Corhonda Dawson, a Memphis mother and occupational therapist, has shattered the Guinness World Record for fastest scuba diving on all seven continents. She completed her incredible journey in just 11 days, 19 hours, and 23 minutes. Her achievement beats the previous record of 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes set by Barrington Scott.
The mother of two accomplished this remarkable feat while traveling with her daughters, who are also scuba divers. Dawson’s record-breaking journey represents more than personal achievement. According to Guinness World Records, her mission aims to introduce ocean exploration to urban communities with limited nature exposure.
Strategic West-to-East Travel Route Ensures Success
Dawson’s success came from careful planning and strategic route selection across the globe. She started her dive on April 1 in the near-freezing waters of Whalers Bay, Antarctica. Her journey concluded on April 13 in Los Angeles with her daughters by her side.
“The strategy was to always go in a west line. So, from west to east. Never north, south,” Dawson explained to WREG. This approach prevented losing valuable time and kept her consistently moving eastward. Her methodical planning proved crucial for breaking the existing record.
The strategic route took her through challenging locations including Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, Tangier, Dubai, and Sydney. Each stop required precise timing and unwavering determination to maintain her record-breaking pace.
Extreme Weather Conditions Test Diving Skills
Dawson faced torrential weather conditions during her dive in Rio de Janeiro. The storm created rocky waters that would have deterred many experienced divers. However, her limited resources and tight schedule meant she couldn’t afford to skip any planned dives.
“It was a storm. It was very rocky water. A lot of divers would have passed on it,” Dawson recalled. She emphasized the pressure of her mission, stating she needed to complete every dive regardless of conditions. Her determination showcased the mental toughness required for such an ambitious undertaking.
The challenging weather made each dive a test of skill and courage. Dawson’s ability to adapt to dangerous conditions while maintaining safety standards impressed diving experts worldwide.
First African-American Woman Achieves Continental Diving Milestone
Dawson previously made history in November as the first African-American woman to dive in waters off all continents. She completed that initial mission in five months, driven by her desire to inspire representation in adventure sports. Her goal was showing that African-American women could be seen as adventurers and explorers.
“When I first started this trek, it was only about becoming the first African-American female,” Dawson explained. After Barrington Scott broke her initial record, she felt motivated to reclaim the title. Her Memphis roots fueled her competitive spirit for the second attempt.
This representation matters deeply to Dawson, who wants young people to see themselves in adventure sports. Her achievements open doors for others who might not have considered scuba diving as a possibility.
Decade of Diving Experience Prepares Record Attempt
Dawson brings over 10 years of scuba diving experience to her record-breaking achievement. She has traveled around the world twice in 320 days throughout her diving career. This extensive experience prepared her for the physical and mental demands of the record attempt.
Her diving expertise allowed her to handle challenging conditions with confidence and skill. Years of practice in various underwater environments gave her the knowledge needed for success. The experience also helped her develop the strategic thinking required for efficient global travel.
Moreover, her background as an occupational therapist provided additional skills for managing the physical demands. Her medical knowledge helped her understand the physiological challenges of rapid global travel and diving.
Inspiring Next Generation Through Ocean Exploration
Dawson hopes her Guinness World Record will inspire young people to pursue scuba diving. Her philosophy centers on “swim, dive, thrive” as a pathway to ocean conservation. She believes people must learn to swim before they can dive and help save the oceans.
“Before I can ever get anybody to dive and try to save the ocean, you’ve got to be able to swim, right?” Dawson explained. Her approach emphasizes building foundational skills while fostering environmental awareness. The record serves as a platform for promoting ocean exploration in underrepresented communities.
Dawson expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and Aurora Expedition for supporting her achievement. Their assistance made it possible to complete all dives in less than two weeks. Her success demonstrates the power of community support in achieving extraordinary goals.
