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Charlotte Burns, 13, becomes youngest person to dive Iceland's Silfra

Listen to this article After 8 months of trying to get a special permit, teenage Charlotte Burns was granted permission by the Icelandic authorities to dive between tectonic plates. This legendary site sparks the imagination of many a diver, so it’s no wonder that 13-year-old Charlotte also dreamed of going there. The young Englishwoman is

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: July 24, 2015 - 20:20

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 11:23

Charlotte Burns, 13, becomes youngest person to dive Iceland’s Silfra

Listen to this article

After 8 months of trying to get a special permit, teenage Charlotte Burns was granted permission by the Icelandic authorities to dive between tectonic plates. This legendary site sparks the imagination of many a diver, so it’s no wonder that 13-year-old Charlotte also dreamed of going there.

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The young Englishwoman is something of a star in the diving world. She started her underwater adventure at the age of 10, and in 2013 she qualified as a PADI Junior Master Scuba Diver, becoming the youngest diving student to hold this certificate.

According to foreign media, if nothing stands in the way, Burns will become the first child to dive in this picturesque and breathtaking place. All because of the requirements set by local law. You have to be at least 18 years old to dive in the place where the European and North American tectonic plates converge.

“I’m very excited about it. I started learning about tectonic plates when I was 11 years old and have been truly fascinated by them ever since,” explains Charlotte Burns

Coming from a diving family, Charlotte’s passion for the deep was instilled in her by her parents, especially her mother, who was a positive influence on her daughter and helped her overcome her fear of diving. The girl followed the example of her 26-year-old brother, who also achieved his Junior Master Scuba Diver degree at the age of 14.

You have to admit that the girl is phenomenal, although it’s not hard to believe since she can owe some of her skills to Ray Woolley, one of the world’s oldest divers, with whom she also trained. To date, she has over 130 dives in her logbook around the world including Scotland, Cyprus and California.

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.