Meet The Team
Video Features:
|
|
|
Biographies:
Dive Team
Jesper Ahrentz, Co-Owner / Manager / PADI Dive Instructor 465767 (Denmark🇩🇰)
Jesper left his home country of Denmark after finishing school, to go backpacking in Australia for about 6 months before returning to begin University. While traveling, he decided to give diving a try, and it changed his life - he has now been working in the dive industry for over 20 years. In that time he has taught over 5000 students, which makes him one of the most experienced dive instructors in the world! He’s also really, really good at spinning on his head on the bottom of the sea. Jesper manages the dive centre, spreading laughter while he works. When Jesper is not in the office, he climbs the highest mountains in the world.
Will North, Co-Owner / Manager / PADI Dive Instructor 498156 (Canada 🇨🇦)
Will’s passion for diving began in 1998, when he first learned to dive on the Great Barrier Reef during a backpacking trip. During his open water dives, he was hooked on the feeling of near-weightlessness. He returned home to Canada and taught public school for 8 years, but he never forgot his love for the ocean. In 2008, he took a leap of faith. He left his job, sold his house, and moved to Thailand to become a dive instructor. This was a very good idea, and he hasn’t looked back since. Will spends most of his time welcoming guests, scheduling, organizing and supporting the incredible dive team at Ocean Sound Dive & Yoga. He also enjoys running, travel and aviation.
Sam Possamai, Manager + Dive PADI Instructor 369711 (Brazil🇧🇷)
Originally from Brazil, Sâm has been traveling since she was 18. During a 3 year stint living in Australia, she went diving for the first time and the first seeds of change were planted. She then backpacked through Indonesia, and went diving again, this time getting her Open Water certification. Next up she explored the waters of the Philippines and Thailand, and was hooked for good. She decided to change her travel plans and her life plans. She gave up her plane ticket to go home, became a dive instructor, and has been living the dream ever since. Teaching is itself a passion, and when combined with diving, brings Sâm joy and pure happiness! When she's not diving, she loves to watch beautiful Koh Tao sunsets, listen to music, and cook feasts!
Selene Gaiani, PADI Dive Instructor 517399 (Italy🇮🇹)
Water is her element! Selene's passion for the water started when she was very young as an agonistic synchronized swimmer. When she was just 10 years old she was Open Water certified in Egypt and from that moment on she never stopped diving around the world with her family. Selene later became a Marine Biologist, coached synchronized swimming and taught high school sciences in Italy, her native country. If you have any questions about the marine ecosystem she will be happy to answer with enthusiasm!
Rūta Melvere, PADI Dive Instructor 382171 (Latvia🇱🇻)
Ruta is an outdoor educator. She is a professional instructor in scuba diving, snowboarding, kayaking and few more. Born in Latvia, she travelled the world and has settled on Koh Tao island since 2016. She first tried diving back in 2009, and became a pro in 2015. Her nickname ‘Super Ruta’ comes from her passion for the ocean and a love of introducing people to the underwater world with a fantastic smile, and lots of energy. Check out @superruta on Instagram!
Federico Bernardo, PADI Dive Instructor 366741 (Argentina🇦🇷)
Fede had his first contact with the sport of diving during a trip to Brazil and he fell in love with it immediately. In 2012, he did his first course in his home country of Argentina and Colombia. In 2013, he continued to travel around Australia, New Zealand and S.E. Asia. This is when he found the good life in Koh Tao, where he has spent several years so far. Fede loves beach days and practicing yoga and meditation. He is also a business administration graduate. He is married and has a young son called Nayat.
Chiti Meana, Yoga Manager/Instructor (Argentina🇦🇷)
Chiti is from Argentina. She studied yoga in Australia, India and Argentina, and then came to Koh Tao with the idea of visiting for a few days. However, she soon fell in love with this island and decided to stay and live here indefinitely. Her preferred style of yoga is vinasaya (the most active) even though she also enjoys quiet afternoons of yin yoga to relax the body before bed. Look for her around the office and yoga studio!
Cote Ugarte, PADI Dive Instructor 355497 (Chile🇨🇱)
Cote was 21 years old when he first tried scuba diving in the cold and wild Chilean ocean. He received his first certification during an eco-tourism course at university, and after that he was ready for more. He packed his dive equipment and traveled to Easter island to progress in his diving career. Afterwards, he moved to New Zealand and learned to speak English. Cote has since been in Koh Tao for the past two years, working and learning every day. Cote is 27 years old, and was just recently married in Thailand. He loves football, movies, and spending time with his wife and friends.
Patrick Lang, PADI Dive Instructor 535729 (Switzerland🇨🇭)
Coming Soon!
Support Team
Ko, Ocean Sound Driver (Thailand🇹🇭)
Ko is the best taxi driver on Koh Tao! As the Ocean Sound driver, he transports divers to the boat and swimming pool. He has great style and is always dressed to impress! Though we haven't yet gotten Ko to take his PADI course, Koh Tao's coolest taxi driver takes great care of our divers above sea level. When he's not driving his taxi, he's a bit of a pool shark and also loves playing with his young son, Gong.
Joy, Ocean Sound Office Assistant (Thailand🇹🇭)
Joy is from Phattalung in southern Thailand, but has been living in Koh Tao and working at Ocean Sound for the past 4 years.
Mr. White, Boat Cat (Thailand🇹🇭)
Mr. White is the most popular guy at Ocean Sound. He lives on the dive boat, and loves to cuddle with our divers, play on the grass covered sundeck of the boat, and eat fresh sushi. He does not love being on dry land as he has major sea legs. He also really loves to snooze in bags, so make sure you check your backpack before you get off the dive boat, or you may end up with a stowaway!