Memphis Mom Sets Scuba Diving Record in 11 Days
Corhonda Dawson, a mother of two from Memphis, made history with a stunning world record. She completed scuba dives on all seven continents in just 11 days, 19 hours, and 23 minutes.
This beat the previous Guinness World Record of 19 days, 19 hours, and 40 minutes held by Barrington Scott. Dawson is now also the first Black woman to hold this record.
From Antarctica to Los Angeles With Her Daughters
Dawson began her journey on April 1, diving into the icy waters of Whalers Bay in Antarctica. She finished on April 13 with a dive in Los Angeles.
Her daughters, who are also trained divers, joined her on the final dive. Dawson called this a full-circle moment for her family.
A Plan Fueled by Passion and Precision
Her strategy was clear. “The plan was to always move west to east,” she said. “No north or south—so I didn’t lose time.”
She traveled quickly between countries, diving in places like Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, Tangier, Dubai, and Sydney. In Rio, she dove during a violent storm just to stay on schedule.
Years of Experience Led to This Moment
Dawson has over 10 years of scuba diving experience. She once circled the globe twice in 320 days.
Back in November, she made history as the first African American woman to dive in waters across all continents. When someone broke that record, she pushed herself to go again—and faster.
A Deeper Purpose Behind Every Dive
This achievement was about more than numbers. Dawson wanted to show young people, especially from Black and urban communities, that they too belong in the world of ocean exploration.
“In my mind, I think of swim, dive, thrive,” she said. “But before you dive and save the ocean, you’ve got to know how to swim.”
Legacy of a Trailblazer
Dawson credits her family, friends, and Aurora Expedition for helping her complete her goal. She hopes her success inspires more girls to dream big and dive deeper.
“I just want African-American women to be seen as adventurers,” she said.
