Meet the first Arab woman to go diving at North Pole
32-YEAR-OLD SAUDI DOCTOR STAYED IN -6C WATER FOR 25 MINUTES DURING TWO DIVES
Mariam Fardous was leading a fairly normal life having grown up in Makkah, and later studying medicine at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah.
While in Jeddah, she was looking for ways to let off steam to relieve her from the stress of her demanding schedule.
The 32-year-old Saudi decided to try diving because she grew up listening to her late father’s fascinating stories about the Red Sea.
At the time Fardous took up the sport 10 years ago, diving was an unconventional activity — which only motivated her to pursue it more.
While today there are many diving schools in Jeddah given the city’s proximity to the Red Sea, and also many Arab and Saudi women divers there were few diving schools in Jeddah that accepted women.
However, when she started taking classes she instantly fell in love with diving.
“When I’m diving, I am in a happy space, and I instantly feel rejuvenated. The sea is a beautiful place to take a break,” Fardous told Gulf News.
By the time she finished her medical internship, she had earned a master scuba diver certification from the Blue Reef Divers in Jeddah — using her weekends to train.
Despite her obsession with diving, the ambitious Fardous went on to obtain two masters degrees in paediatrics and epidemiology from London and Riyadh, respectively. But her demanding work schedule did not prevent her from furthering her diving career.
Any spare time she had went to training. She even went to Russia to learn specialised diving techniques like ice and drysuit diving.
“My mother has always been a great source of motivation. She has always guided me to think out of the box, taught me to believe in myself and follow my dreams,” said Fardous. One day, Fardous and her friends were discussing the very challenging North Pole dive — only two women in the world have accomplished this feat. “The idea to dive at the North Pole seemed not only unique and interesting, but also a challenge that would define me. I wanted to be the first Arab woman to do so,” she said.
She immediately began to prepare, starting with months Recounting her experience of the first dive, Fardous said, “I went through a range of emotions. As I went deeper I felt light like a feather.” of intensive training for the 40day expedition. Having been unable to secure sponsors, she self-financed her expedition.
Acclimatisation
On March 28, 2016 she embarked on her trip. To reach the base camp of Barneo at the North Pole, Fardous had to travel to Moscow and then Karelia in north-west Russia where she stayed for 3 weeks to get acclimatised to the extreme sub-zero temperatures.
On April 20, 2016 Fardous was dropped off by helicopter at Barneo where temperatures average -25 degrees Celsius.
As soon as Fardous deplaned, she prostrated in gratitude.
“I was overwhelmed and extremely proud of being part of a historic expedition for my country,” she said. At the North Pole, the dive took place in the frozen Arctic Ocean.
Before diving, Fardous, with the help of her diving team, broke a few feet of solid ice to make a hole in the frozen ocean — the only entry and exit point for divers. Under the water, temperature averaged -6C.
Fardous dived twice, descending approximately 7.6 metres and staying underwater for 25 minutes each time.
Recounting her experience of the first dive, Fardous said, “I went through a range of emotions. As I went deeper I felt light like a feather.”
My mother has always been a great source of motivation. She has always guided me to think out of the box, taught me to believe in myself and follow my dreams.”
Mariam Fardous |
Saudi diver