Port Blair, April 17: The ten yearoldTamanna Balachandran has become World’s Youngest Indian Girl Qualified & Certified as Scuba Diver by completing the Junior Open Water Diver Course at the age of 10 years and one day (a day after her 10th Birthday) on 16th April 2014, duly certified & licensed by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors – USA).
Tamanna, a fourth standard student of Vibgyor High International School at Goregaon in Mumbai went under rigorous training in Havelock Island (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) under the supervision of her Instructor & Mentor Mr. Prafful Chugh from Pool to Sea Scuba Explorers throughout the course.
After completing the Swimming performance requirements and getting necessary training in ‘Confined Water’, Tamanna completed her Open Water Dives in the Sea at Havelock Island (A&N Islands) to fulfill the requisites by meeting all the performance standards as laid down by PADI.
While Tamanna has already done her ‘Bubble Maker’ program in Scuba Diving (permitted for children below 10 years of age) at the age of 8, she has also been winning medals in Swimming and Athletics for her school.
With this, the ten year old Tamanna broke the record of Egypt's Natasha Turner, who had become the youngest diver at the age of 10 years and three days. With this record, Tamanna has surpassed the record of Ella-Maria Lopez, who is also one of the youngest Qualified Scuba Divers in the world at the age of 10.
"Tamanna got the certificate at the age of 10 years and one day, which is two days shorter than Turner," as stated by Tamanna’s Instructor Prafful Chugh. Tamanna was trained at Dive India at Havelock Island in Andamans.
The ten year old world record holder was accompanied by her family for this achievement as her elder sister Rashi Balachandran also became certified as a Scuba Diver with her. Thus making them one of the youngest girl siblings in the country to be Certified & Qualified Scuba Divers.
Tamanna is now looking forward to continue her passion and love for Scuba diving & dreams of becoming the youngest Scuba Diving Instructor in the years to come.