Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Saudi professional diver Ghaida Al-Hamad has reached a depth of 127 meters in the Red Sea, becoming the deepest Saudi female diver to achieve this mark and surpassing her previous personal record of 100 meters.

In just a few years, Al-Hamad has built an impressive profile in technical diving.

She has completed more than 1,000 scuba dives, approximately 200 technical dives, and five dives exceeding 80 meters, in addition to participating in multiple training programs, including pool discovery dives and diver refresher courses.

She says her achievements so far represent only the beginning of broader ambitions.

Al-Hamad’s journey began in 2020, a moment she describes as life-changing. A year later, she earned her PADI international diving certification, along with a dive instructor license, Advanced Trimix certification, and a specialization in gas mixing, marking the start of a new phase defined by knowledge and challenge.

“Depth is not just a number,” Al-Hamad said. “It is a journey within oneself and a test of calmness and self-confidence.”

She explained that diving has taught her discipline, fast decision-making, and control over breathing and emotions — skills that have had a positive impact on her daily life. She credited her family’s support and trust as a major factor behind her progress.

Al-Hamad added that fear was not a defining factor in her early dives, as she viewed each descent as an opportunity to develop her skills, eventually approaching greater depths with stability and balance.

She emphasized that diving is more than a sport, describing it as a lifestyle that offers freedom from the noise of everyday life while deepening awareness of marine conservation and the responsibility to protect underwater ecosystems.

Al-Hamad said she is proud to be part of the diving world and hopes her journey will inspire young women who believe their ambitions are worth pursuing. “The depths still call me,” she said. “My journey is far from over.”