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| (photo ©GPP) |
Reunion Island's water sports and tourism sectors have been hard-hit by the recent spate of shark attacks. Although
divers know that you have nothing to fear from a shark underwater, the general public has a different perception. This is the main reason why on December 1st the local
Groupement des professionnels de la plongée (GPP, Association of diving professionals) decided to create a positive action and break a world record by forming a human chain of 110 divers at a depth of 18 metres.
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| (photo ©GPP) |
200 hours of preparation were necessary for the event, which also involved 40 extra volunteers, 13 dive boats and 14 dive clubs.
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| (photo ©GPP) |
The youngest diver was 18, and the oldest 82!
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| (photo ©GPP) |
Six photographers and cameramen were present.
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| (photo ©GPP) |
It took place place at
Saint Leu on the island's south-west coast, and although originally only a minute together was planned, in the end the divers managed 5 minutes and 12 seconds without breaking the chain, which measured 76.2 metres long.
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| At the surface (photo ©Laurent Figon) |
Four independent judges were present to attest to the world record, which will be sent to the
Guinness Book of Records for certification.
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| celebrating at the surface afterwards (photo ©GPP) |
