Quest at the Quarry

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GILBOA - Nine years ago Mike Williams became the owner of the Gilboa Quarry.

Four years ago he had an idea about someday breaking a record of having the most divers in the water.

Nearly one year ago Williams began planning to host an event for divers to attempt to break the record.

Less than one week ago there were 794 divers in the water at the Gilboa Quarry.

The Gilboa Quarry was filled with divers Saturday afternoon as they attempted to set a world record.

Divers began going into the water around 2 p.m. hoping to set a mark for the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most scuba divers underwater at the same time.

Mike Williams, owner of the Gilboa Quarry, had divers registered from 20 states and numerous countries.

Gilboa Quarry is located at 3763 Old State Route 224.

The previous record was set by 958 divers in the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean in 2006.

Divers entered the water from four docks. Don Hauenstein, an employee at the quarry, said each participant was attached to surface rope that lead to the surface where there were 22 lanes and numerous “lane shepherds” were moving through the water to keep tabs on the divers.

“They will all go down at once and were asked to stay down for 20 minutes at 20 feet to be considered a dive,” Hauenstein said before the dive.

Waiting for everyone to get into the water divers did the wave and occasionally shouted “Get in the water” to the other divers. Once everyone was underwater the timing began.

The surface of the water was covered with bubbles as the divers went under. After 20 minutes heads began quickly bobbing to the surface.

“It was really exciting. You could see bubbles everywhere underwater,” said Elvis Medeiros, London Ontario Canada.

His words were echoed by Teri Allen, Middleton, Ind, and Don Rutger, Kalamazoo, Mich.

“There were bubbles, wall to wall bubbles,’ Allen said.

Williams said 912 divers actually registered and paid to attend the event but some were unable to come.

Those who did attend spoke highly of diving in the Gilboa Quarry.

Carrolleigh Cecile came from Ontario Canada with her family. She said her husband, daughter and two nephews were all taking part in the “big dive.”

“My family loves the clarity of the water here and the number of platforms at the Gilboa Quarry,” Cecile said.

“My daughter said she is amazed at the fish you can see here,” she added. Williams said they have 15 species of fish. Fishing in the quarry is strictly prohibited.

As the divers surfaced they had the opportunity to see a medical helicopter land.

“I asked them to land as part of the event,” Williams said. Putnam County EMA director Steve Odenweller said the helicopter was only able to stay a short period because they were called to another location for an emergency run.

“We learned a lot with this event,” Williams said. “I feel we did very well with the numbers,” Records show that when the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean held their first event in February 2005 they had 722 divers in the water. Williams is proud the Gilboa Quarry had 794 divers in the water for their first attempt at breaking the record.

“You could feel the energy during the whole weekend,” Williams said. “Everyone was excited to be here.”