Craig Challen | |
|---|---|
 Challen (left) with Richard Harris | |
| Born | 1965 or 1966 (age 58–59)[1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Murdoch University |
| Occupation | Veterinarian |
| Known for | Tham Luang cave rescue |
| Medical career | |
| Field | Veterinary medicine |
| Awards | |
Craig Challen, SC, OAM is an Australian technical diver and cave explorer who played a substantial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue. He was the recipient of the Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year award for his services to caving,[2][3] and was joint winner of the 2019 Australian of the Year.[4]
He grew up in the Perth suburb of Thornlie and later on a 200 ha (500 acres) farming property in Gidgegannup; he attended Eastern Hills Senior High School in Mount Helena, near Gidgegannup.[5][6] A veterinary surgeon by profession, Challen has made notable dives in Cocklebiddy Cave and Pearse Resurgence.[7] In 2010 he made a record-setting 194 m (636 ft) dive while caving in New Zealand.[8] In 2020 he made a second record-setting return visit to the Pearse Resurgence (New Zealand) and extended the Australasian depth record to 245 m (804 ft) with his dive partner Richard Harris.[9]
- ^ Byram, Vickii (18 October 2023). "Cave hero put to the test on SAS Australia". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "November 2010 – Page 2".
- ^ "West Australian Divers • View topic - OZTEK 2009 & Congrats Craig Challen!". Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ "Thai cave hero wins top WA honour". The West Australian. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Katherine (25 January 2019). "Humble hero". The West Australian. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "Australian of the Year". Helena College. 3 May 2019. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "Craig Challen | Cave Diving Down Under".
- ^ "Aussie Divers Map Cave Depths | Rec N Tech Asia". Archived from the original on 25 August 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ "Pearse Resurgence 2020". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.