War veteran, 94, set to become world’s OLDEST scuba diver
A 94-YEAR-OLD war veteran is set to enter the record books as the world’s oldest scuba diver.
A 94-year-old is set to become the world's oldest scuba diver
Ray Woolley a great-granddad originally from Port Sunlight, Merseyside, spent his 94th birthday 125ft underwater in an attempt to break the record.
The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) Advanced Diver and Advanced Instructor now faces a nervous wait of up to three months to see if his attempt is accepted by Guinness World Record officials.
Mr Woolley served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and in September 1944 he was seconded to the SBS (Special Boat Service).
During his record attempt he spent 41 minutes at a maximum depth of 125ft diving on the wreck of the Zenobia, a cargo ferry that sank in 1980 off Larnaca in Cyprus.
After the war, Mr Woolley worked in communications as a radio engineer for the Foreign Office.
After taking up diving in 1960, he was posted in 1964 to Cyprus, where he dived regularly. He returned to live permanently on the island in 1999.
Ray Woolley a great-granddad originally from Port Sunlight
Mr Woolley served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and in September 1944
Ray is a real inspiration
Mr Woolley, who swims for around two hours every day, said: “The visibility was really good on the Zenobia and I unfurled a banner on the wreck to celebrate the dive. It was quite a magical moment.
“There is nothing quite like seeing a wreck or a reef and knowing very few, if anyone, has seen what you are enjoying.”
BSAC chief executive Mary Tetley said: “Ray is a real inspiration. It’s amazing to think he first dived 57 years ago and is still going strong.
“What a wonderful example of the benefits of keeping active.”
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His daughter, Lyn Armitage, of Heswall, Wirral, travelled to Cyprus, to help her action-man dad celebrate his birthday and witness his record-breaking dive.
She said: “I have no doubt that dad will celebrate his 95th birthday with a new diving challenge.
“Just watch this space.”