In 1986, Billy O'Brien, a member of Portmarnock Sub-Aqua Club, came up with the idea of an underwater 10K as our contribution to the international fundraising event Sport Aid. That first year we struggled to persuade three other sub-aqua clubs to join us in our 'nutty' adventure. But we managed to raise £IR3,000 for Sport Aid. For several years the underwater 10K was held yearly but now there was a much greater interest among other clubs and it became the 'elite' competitive event in the diving calendar. Each year the event raised large sums for various charities.
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In 2000, our then Competitions Officer, the late Sean Power, had the wonderful idea of approaching the Guinness Book of Records people to see if our event could be recorded by them as unique. They agreed and the date for the World Record event was set for 5 May 2000. The training within PSAC was intense. We were the 'inventors' of this unique event and were determined to be the holders of its first World Record. Our determination won out and that evening in the Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Centre pool, PSAC won the race against strong opposition from the Irish and Aquatec SACs.
The record - at 1 hour, 43 minutes 27 seconds - was recognised by the
Guinness Book of Records
and the plaque issued hangs in pride of place in our boathouse at PSLC.