Craig Challen

Craig Challen, SC OAM (Gen) 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, and was joint winner of the 2019 Australian of the Year.

Dr

Craig Challen

SC OAM (Gen)
Challen (left) with Richard Harris
Born1965 or 1966 (age 57–58)
NationalityAustralian
EducationMurdoch University
OccupationVeterinarian
Known forTham Luang cave rescue
Medical career
FieldVeterinary medicine
Awards
  • Star of Courage (SC) (Australia)
  • Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division) (OAM (Gen)) (Australia)
  • Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
  • Australian of the Year 2019
  • Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year
  • Western Australian of the Year 2019

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. A veterinary surgeon by profession, Challen has made notable dives in Cocklebiddy Cave and Pearse Resurgence. In 2010 he made a record-setting 194 m (636 ft) dive while caving in New Zealand. 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.

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