Growing up in the Bronx, Marine veteran, traveler, and professional scuba diver Barrington Scott was always fascinated with the world. He’d spend hours watching television shows dedicated to showcasing the world’s beauty. It’s no surprise that years later, he’d have visited over 30 countries and resided in three.
“I’ve always had an insatiable curiosity,” Scott said. “As a kid, I was glued to the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, absorbing everything about the world.”
His passion for diving began over nine years ago after going scuba diving for the first time in the Cayman Islands in 2014. Now, Scott is on a new journey to break the Guinness World Record as the fastest person to scuba dive on all seven continents.
As he prepares to set the new record, Scott believes the thing that’s equipped him the most for this feat is his expansive travel journeys. From his time spent in the service to living abroad as a Black expat, Scott is dedicated to making history and showcasing the beauty of the land and the seas.
Prepared Through Travel
Scott has gained a plethora of diverse skills throughout his life. They’ve made him adaptable and resourceful in changing environments. The Marine veteran says his solo travels have been his greatest teacher as he prepares for his record-breaking attempt.
“Having visited over 30 countries and lived in three of them, along with previous visits to some of the countries on my upcoming itinerary, navigating around won’t feel too new or overwhelming,” he said.
Life itself has molded Scott to be resilient and able to overcome any obstacle that might come his way. As a child, he spent time in the foster care system. He completed a deployment in Afghanistan while in the Marines and overcame personal mental health struggles. Everything he experienced, good and bad, has led him to this moment.
“Despite facing numerous setbacks and obstacles, I’ve discovered my purpose and passions,” he said. “My journey isn’t just about breaking records; it’s about encouraging others to embrace exploration and adventure.”
Having discovered his passion for diving, Scott plans to continue sharing it with others. He completed his scuba instructor course three years ago. Equipped to teach others how to dive safely, Scott embarked on a journey to Honduras with friends to dive a few years back. He usually dives alone. However, his most memorable dive thus far was with his buddies.
“Despite having years of diving experience under my belt, sharing that underwater world with friends was truly special,” he said.
As he prepares for his record attempt, Scott hopes his strides will encourage more Black divers to rise to the surface.
A Whole Wide World
Scott isn’t in the record-breaking business. His real goal is to create more representation for people of color in the scuba diving industry. According to the Divers Alert Network, African Americans only make up 5 to 8 percent of the professional diving community. Scott hopes the visibility from his record attempt encourages more Black Americans to get into watersports.
“I want to show the world the beauty of representation and help rewrite narratives,” he said. “Breaking stereotypes about Black people and water is important to me. While there may not be many Black scuba divers, we’re out here making waves.”
Scott hopes to shift that narrative to something positive. By changing this fear-based narrative through education and experiences, Scott hopes a new generation of Black divers is on the horizon.
“I hope to inspire others from all backgrounds to explore the oceans and embrace the wonders beneath the surface,” he said. “Together, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone passionate about diving.”
Beyond physical training, Scott plans to raise $50,000 through sponsorships and donations to fund his record-breaking attempt. Understanding the importance of his actions, he hopes to inspire others to seek out their passions above and beneath the surface.
“There’s a vast world waiting to be discovered, both above and below the ocean’s surface,” he said. “I hope that my unwavering curiosity and thirst for adventure will ignite a spark in others, inspiring them to pursue their own remarkable journeys.”