Diver braves depths for record

Roxanne Brown - 

Allen Sherrod, a more than 10-year diving instructor for South Lake Divers in Clermont, wants to break the world record for the longest dive in a freshwater environment, which today, stands at about 130 hours.

Sherrod will be attempting to break the record, diving into Lake David in Groveland, at precisely 8:46 a.m. Sunday in honor of the 9-11 attacks and in commemoration of the "Wounded Warriors" diving organization and a few other veterans groups he is trying to raise money for.

This will mark Sherrod's third attempt at the record after having to cut two previous dives short, both in Sept. 2010, after coming down with the flu and fevers in chilly waters while in Lake David.

This time, however, he is psyched and feeling perfectly healthy as he readies for his nearly week-long submergence.

"I feel real good and I think the weather is gonna cooperate. They are predicting hot days over the next five days," Sherrod said, adding that temperature checks of Lake David this week, remain at 88 degrees (F) at a depth of eight feet.

"That's good and warm, which is just what we need," he said.

Sherrod also mentioned that he planned the dive around the full moon this month for more "ambient light" during the night hours.

This time around, also joining him about 20 feet below the depths, is Nicole Plussa, 17, a South Lake High School senior and one of Sherrod's students who was certified about one month ago.

Plussa will be attempting to break the world record for the longest dive by a female, which stands at 48 hours currently.

"I heard him (Sherrod ) talking about his world record attempt and I couldn't just stand around and watch," Plussa said. "I had to be a part of it."

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