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Our Drive And Dive Adventure in July 2002 raised just over £2,000 for the RNLI

Our aim was to dive at 10 different location, in 4 different countries, in 5 days, and, of course, raise as much money as we could for the RNLI !!

The Drive Britain challenge started on 12th July 2002. During the following 5 days we drove to and dived at Newhaven, Swanage Pier (south of England), Tenby, Holyhead (Wales), Island Magee (Northern Ireland), St Abbs (Scotland), Whitby, Stoney Cove & Sea Palling (back in England). Returning to Clacton having covered a distance of approximately 1550 miles!

In February 2003 I successfully broke the current World Record for Scuba Endurance. This involves breathing off a standard 12 litre bottle for as long as is physically possible, underwater!

The World Record at the the time was 6hrs 1min, however despite a bad start, I pushed this to 7hrs 15min 44sec!!

It took 5 months for official confirmation from the Guinness World Records, but it was worth the wait. Unfortunately it did not appear in the 2004 edition due to lack of space. Later in the year I heard that the record had been broken again, by two Australian Instructors and the record now stands at 7hrs 40mins. I am no longer the world champion, but still a record holder none the less.

In 2005 the Guinness World Records celebrates its 50th Birthday and has produced a Gold Edition. Guess who is on page 39, under 'Pushing the Limits'. (I did point out the error to GWR but they said they weren't about to withdraw 60,000,000 copies distributed world-wide for a reprint! Sorry Australia.)


quick chat with one of the official time-keepers	last minute checks with part of my support team


submerged - listening to my under-water stereo!	made it! 7hours 15minutes & 44seconds later - relieved, elated & very wrinkly!

My thanks to Chris Connelly and Andrew James for adjudicating and verifying my attempt, Frinton & Walton Swimming Pool for allowing me to use their water, all the many people who helped with the fund-raising including Clacton Rotary Club, and of course my excellent support team in the water - members of the 'X' Dive Association.

On 19th June 2003 I presented a cheque for £2,932 to the Clacton & District Occupational Workshop, towards the new mini-bus they were planning to buy.

Did I mention my bad start to the original attempt? Keep your eye on my News Update page and the local press around January / February 2005 - I want my title back!!