96-Year-Old Man Completes Record-Setting SeaTREK

Fred Johnson is the oldest person in the world to participate in the underwater helmet dive

MARCH 2024 Tampa, Florida, USA – They say you’re never too old to try something new, and 96-year-old Fred Johnson is living proof; he recently set a record for the world’s oldest SeaTREK helmet diving participant during a visit to The Florida Aquarium. Fred and his daughter, Patty Sorensen, signed up for the underwater walking experience in the Heart of the Sea habitat while visiting family in Tampa. After getting fitted with a wetsuit and booties, Fred donned his helmet and descended a ladder to a depth of 15 feet where he embarked on his underwater adventure.

Designed for non-divers, the guided SeaTREK tour offers participants the chance to explore coral caves alongside hundreds of fish, spotted eagle rays, bonnethead sharks, and a loggerhead sea turtle.

“It just seemed like it'd be a lot of fun to do, and I'm glad I did it,” said Fred Johnson. “To see the fish swimming around, and to be right there with them, instead of looking at them through a window, it was exciting!”

The tour requires no swimming and allows people from all walks of life, even those not well acquainted with water, to access the wonders of the underwater world. Ages 10 and up—even 96 year olds—are invited to participate in this incredible experience.

“I'm just telling you right now, I would not have done this on my own,” said Patty Sorensen, Fred’s daughter. “Dad said he wanted to do it, so I did it. It was well worth the effort. We had a lot of fun!”

Prior to Fred’s dive, the SeaTREK record was 93 years old. When told he set a new world record, Fred said “Oh, I figured that! Not too many older people are probably doing that. I've tried a few things that I was probably the oldest person.”

Trained and certified safety divers from The Florida Aquarium lead the tour from start to finish, and the most rewarding part of their day is seeing the smiling faces of participants as they come out of the water.

“Honestly, we were more excited and nervous than he was,” said Matt Shuttleworth, Marine Operations Manager at The Florida Aquarium. “It looked like he was just having a regular Tuesday. He walked around and had a great attitude. He did a great job! And the team did very well getting him in and out of the water safely.”

SeaTREK is available every weekend and select weekdays at The Florida Aquarium. For more information or to book the experience, visit: https://www.flaquarium.org/visit/experiences/seatrek/