Memphis Scuba Diver Honored After Record-Breaking Global Diving Feat

Memphis Diver Sets World Record Across Seven Continents

Corhonda Dawson, a scuba diver who grew up in the Whitehaven section of Memphis, Tennessee, was recognized by the Shelby County Commission on February 9, 2026, after completing a record-breaking scuba diving journey across the world’s continents.

In April 2025, Dawson entered the Guinness Book of World Records for completing dives from the coasts of all seven of the world's continents in the fastest time recorded. She finished the series of dives in 11 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes, surpassing the previous record, which had been held by a former Marine, by almost six days.

Journey From Memphis to Global Record

Dawson’s record-setting effort began in Antarctica and concluded on April 13, 2025, in California, where she completed her final dive with her two daughters. To meet Guinness World Records requirements, she had to adhere to specific travel rules, including limiting travel in private vehicles such as taxis or ride-share services to no more than 31 miles and relying instead on public transportation and commercial flights.

Dawson started scuba diving in 2010 after a divorce, describing the activity as a way to occupy her time and support personal change. Her involvement grew over the years, moving from beginner-level diving to earning certification as a dive master. Her formal training began at The Dive Shop, a business in east Memphis that offers swimming instruction and scuba certifications. Dive instructor Kelly Green stated that Dawson had been associated with the dive center for a long time and noted that The Dive Shop is the third-oldest dive center in the United States.

Milestones in Oceans and Continents

In 2024, Dawson became the first Black woman to scuba dive in all five of the world's oceans. On April 1, 2025, she began a new effort to break the world record for being the fastest person to dive from every continent, with a required completion time of less than 19 days. She accomplished that objective within 320 days of her earlier oceans milestone and ultimately set the fastest time for dives from the coasts of all seven continents.

Dawson has publicly described her achievements as connected to her experiences following divorce and to the process of starting over and learning new things. She stated that her children learned alongside her as she pursued scuba diving and her subsequent records.

Family Recognition and Local Honor

Dawson’s oldest daughter, Nya Bolton, has highlighted her mother’s accomplishments in connection with Black History Month communications at her workplace, describing Dawson’s record as part of ongoing Black history. The local recognition by the Shelby County Commission in February 2026 marked a formal acknowledgment of Dawson’s international scuba diving achievements in her home community of Memphis.