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A plunge for world record
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Posted on Apr 20 1999
As Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio fired the flare gun at around 9 am last Saturday, some 195 divers on Saipan plunged to the waters off Managaha island all at the same time, signaling the CNMI’s attempt to create a world record.
On Rota island, the event the event was participated in by 25 divers. A total of 220 scuba divers including those from Japan and Guam joined in the CNMI’s attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records with the most number of people entering the water for a single recreational dive ever recorded.
It was one diving event which the Marianas Visitors Authority hopes would generate the much-needed publicity abroad in selling the CNMI as an ideal diving destination in the Pacific.
“Along with this being a fun event, we’re hoping to show the whole world that the Northern Marianas is one of the world’s top diving locations,” said Perry J. Tenorio, MVA managing director.
Although there is no previous record in the Guinness which they want to break, the most important thing is for the CNMI to be the first to be recognized in making such an attempt, said Norman Berg, MVA marketing director.
Taro Kawasaki, a diving instructor from D’Kids dive shop said 24 people from his group participated including four of his friends who flew in from Tokyo just to join this historic event.
“I am very excited to join this effort and support the promotion for the CNMI. This is such a beautiful island and I hope many people would now come to dive here,” said Kawasaki.
Of the 26 dive shops on the island, at least 15 participated in the event which was co sponsored by the Northern Marianas Dive Operators Association. Seven boat owners allowed the free use of their vessels.
David Cheng, a Pacific Island Aviation pilot, flew in from Guam to join the diving community. “I usually come here three times a week to dive alone but this time, I want to be with these people,” he said.
MVA began planning for the event since middle part of last year, said Martin Duenas, project coordinator. “The hardest thing was getting all the dive shops together but when we got their support everything went well,” he said. Various government agencies sent their staff to help make the event a success.
