Scuba diving grandfather celebrates being the UK's oldest diver

Despite recently having turned 91, Norman Lancefield shows no intention of holding back from being an adventurous folk taking on amazing underwater challenges. Passionate about scuba diving since 1978 and despite having taken up the hobby at a relatively late age at 58, this extraordinary British diver shows no sign of slowing down.

The great-grandfather of two is being hailed as the UK’s oldest scuba diver, after having done hundreds of dives and completed his latest scuba diving feat at Babbacombe Beach in Torquay, Devon.

The veteran scuba diver from the Vale of Glamorgan, is is an active member of the Barry branch of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) and expresses his joy at being able to practice the fascinating sport of scuba diving at his age: “It’s another world down there and I feel privileged to be able to see it.” he said.

“I don’t go much on wrecks and things but I do love to see the seaweed and when I did my most recent dive there was such a variety of seaweed, some small, some big and it is a beautiful part of nature.”

Norman revealed that while embarking on one of his scuba diving journeys he watches out for other sea life too and recalled a special moment during a dive off the Gower coast.

“I was following my buddy closely and I was just behind him and I saw what I thought was a stone and I thought, no that’s not a stone and, would you believe it, it was an octopus.

“Well I grabbed my buddy by the ankle and showed him and we thought, can you believe it, seeing an octopus in Wales. That has always stuck in my mind.”

Normar first took up the thrilling underwater sport after trying some snorkelling during holidays in Spain and upon returning to the UK decided he would improve his new skill for future scuba diving holidays abroad and at home.

A loyal member of the same diving club for over 30 years, Norman still attends training sessions at the same school every week.
Russ Phillips, training officer at Barry Sub-Aqua Club, said Norman was a remarkable diver and continued to pass his medicals with ease, doing better in the tests even than some of the younger members.

Mary Tetley, BSAC chief executive, added: “As far as BSAC is aware, Norman is our oldest active diving member and we’re delighted that he is still getting in the water.

“Scuba diving is accessible to all ages and Norman is proof that age is no barrier when you’re doing something you enjoy.”