Corhonda “Hooda” Dawson, a scuba diver and resident of Memphis, Tennessee, has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest global scuba diving circuit — completing dives on all seven continents in just 11 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes.
In April 2025, Dawson embarked on her ambitious journey, beginning with a dive into the icy waters of Whalers Bay in Antarctica and concluding on April 13 near Catalina Island off the coast of California. Along the way, she completed certified dives across the remaining continents, including South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Guinness World Records confirmed that Dawson’s attempt met all criteria, including performing the dives in a continuous sequence without exceeding allowed transportation limits between dive sites. Her final time of 11 days — almost six days faster than the previous record — now stands as the official benchmark for this unique global achievement.
Dawson told FOX13 Memphis that her goal was not only to break the record but also to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how ambitious. “What you dream is possible,” she said, emphasising that discipline and heart are essential to making goals a reality.
In addition to the physical and logistical challenges, Dawson hopes her accomplishment will draw greater attention to diversity in aquatic sports. Diving — especially on a global, record-setting scale — is still underrepresented by women and minority communities. As someone who has contributed to her local dive community for years, Dawson wants her journey to encourage broader participation in scuba and ocean exploration.
Her achievement also came shortly after she became the first Black woman to dive in all five oceans — another record she set less than a year earlier. Throughout her career, she has trained, worked and inspired others at dive centres in the U.S., helping build a legacy that blends passion with purpose.
Dawson’s daughters were present for her final dive, making the milestone both a personal family triumph and a global diving achievement. As she reflects on her record-breaking journey, Dawson plans to continue supporting and mentoring divers, while celebrating the moment with her community in Memphis.
Diventures Team is a multidisciplinary team of scuba professionals, editors, and digital creators, producing accurate and experience-driven coverage of diving, marine life, and ocean culture.
