An 11-year-old sets new world scuba diving record

11-year-old schoolboy, Ethan Evans, has achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking a world scuba diving record, despite living landlocked in Worcester, almost 100 miles away from the sea. He has become the youngest person ever to complete 130 dives before turning 12, surpassing the previous record of 102 dives. On each dive, Ethan reaches depths of up to 30m (98ft) and fearlessly swims alongside tiger sharks and giant manta rays.

Ethan’s diving journey began when he was just nine years old, and he obtained his open-water certification a year later, thanks to the guidance of his father, Paul, who is a trained scuba instructor. Every summer, Ethan and his dad embark on trips to the Maldives, where they explore the Indian Ocean and add to Ethan’s dive count. Despite the distance from the sea, Ethan’s passion for diving and his natural expertise have propelled him to surpass existing records in the sport.

Having broken the previous scuba record for children under 12, Ethan now has his sights set on achieving an unbeatable target of 150 dives before his 12th birthday in April. His mother, Aimee Ford, highlights Ethan’s exceptional calmness and skill underwater, leading him to often return from dives with more spare oxygen than even adult divers. Ethan’s father’s background as a dive guide has played a significant role in nurturing Ethan’s love for diving and fostering his achievements in the sport.

Aimee reveals that Ethan aspires to become a diving guide in the future and hopes to contribute to ocean conservation efforts. His dedication to cleaning up the ocean is evident in the ocean cleanups he participates in with his father, where they search for and remove metal and plastics from the sea. Ethan’s commitment to protecting the environment and his passion for diving make him a remarkable young individual with a bright future in the world of scuba diving.

With his sights set on breaking his own record and leaving a lasting impact on the diving community, Ethan continues to push boundaries and inspire others with his achievements at such a young age. His love for the ocean and his dedication to preserving its beauty showcase his exceptional character and drive to make a positive difference in the world. Ethan’s journey in diving serves as a testament to the power of passion, determination, and the impact that individuals, regardless of age, can have on their chosen field.