Modesto Villaverde hopes to celebrate turning 100 with a record attempt in Lanzarote, four years after his last reported dive in the Red Sea
Most divers would consider reaching their 100th birthday an achievement worth celebrating on dry land. Modesto Villaverde has something rather different in mind.
The Spanish-Argentine certified scuba diver turned 100 on August 18 and is now hoping to return to open water for a dive that could potentially see him recognised as the world’s oldest scuba diver.
Villaverde and his family are currently working towards an attempt in Lanzarote in Spain’s Canary Islands, with September or October being considered.
According to reporting by La Voz de Lanzarote, Villaverde’s grandson says Guinness World Records has accepted an application for the attempt.
That does not mean Villaverde is already a Guinness World Record holder. The proposed dive would first have to take place successfully and the required evidence subsequently be assessed before any record could be officially recognised.
Back Underwater at 100
Villaverde is a retired gendarme and certified diver who holds both Spanish and Argentine nationality.
Perhaps most remarkably, this would not be his first dive at an advanced age.
His most recent reported dive took place when he was 96 years old, in the Red Sea. Now, four years later, he wants to get underwater again.
According to his family, the conditions attached to the proposed record attempt include completing the dive in open water, reaching a minimum depth of 12 metres and remaining underwater for at least 30 minutes, with a diving instructor present as a witness.
The Scuba News has not independently verified those conditions with Guinness World Records, so they should currently be regarded as details provided by Villaverde’s family.
Lanzarote Is the Preferred Destination
Villaverde’s family has reportedly spent several weeks trying to find a dive centre capable of supporting the attempt.
Their first choice is Lanzarote.
The family says a dive centre in Playa Blanca has indicated that it is prepared to support the proposed dive, which could take place during September or October.
Their motivation for keeping the attempt in Spain is understandable. For Villaverde, it would mean attempting to make diving history in his home country at the age of 100.
But Lanzarote isn’t the only possibility.
Could the Record Attempt Return to the Red Sea?
Villaverde already has a connection with one of the world’s best-known diving regions.
His last reported dive, at the age of 96, took place in the Red Sea, and his family says discussions have also taken place with contacts in Egypt and the Middle East about staging the new attempt there.
According to the original Lanzarote report, Red Sea diving contacts are already trying to help identify a suitable operator.
For the moment, however, Villaverde and his family remain focused on Spain.
Wherever the attempt eventually takes place, there will inevitably be considerable interest in seeing a centenarian diver return to the water.
Recreational scuba diving at such an advanced age also places considerable importance on appropriate medical assessment, planning and professional supervision. Age alone does not determine whether someone is fit to dive, and any individual diver’s suitability for scuba should be assessed according to their own health and circumstances.
If the necessary arrangements are completed, Villaverde could be back underwater this autumn.
At 100 years old, that alone would make for a remarkable dive.
Becoming an officially recognised world record holder would make it even more extraordinary.
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