Diver set for underwater record bid

A DIVER is finalising preparations for a new world record attempt which could see him become the fastest person to swim 10km underwater.

Christy Healy, 40, a native of Kilmaley, Co Clare, and now living in Ennis, has been in training since March.

A volunteer Civil Defence search diver, Christy is a qualified PADI instructor and owns a diving school in Ennis.

On Sunday, he will attempt to set the fastest time ever for an underwater swim/dive 10km out into the Atlantic Ocean from Crab Island in Doolin, Co Clare. Christy must remain underwater for the entire period.

The Guinness Book of World Records has told Christy that his dive/swim will be a first. “I am delighted with how the training has progressed and even more delighted with the support I am getting from friends, family and most of all the public.”

Five boats and three kayaks will be deployed on the day carrying the dive coordinator, rescue divers, paramedics, relief snorkelers and divers as well as the observers tasked with gathering the information for the record.

The team will arrive in Doolin at 6.30am on Sunday where McGann’s pub will be used as headquarters for the day and where friends and supporters can follow Christy’s progress live on a big screen.

Christy has chosen the Share A Dream Foundation as the beneficiary for his charity world record attempt in recognition of the support they provided to his family while his son Stephen was ill.

Stephen, 18, was only recently given the “all-clear” from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after being diagnosed in 2010.