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Get to know us. |
Meet The Team
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Biographies:
Dive Team
Will North, Co-Owner & Dive Manager - PADI Staff 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 PADI 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 hiking, travel and motorcycles.
Jesper Ahrentz, Co-Owner & Dive Manager - PADI Master 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 PADI instructors in the world! He’s also really, really good at spinning on his head on the bottom of the sea (above sea level, it’s a different story). Jesper is now managing the dive centre and spreading laughter while he works. When Jesper is not in the office, he climbs the highest mountains in the world.
Joanne Smith, Dive Manager & Equipment Tech - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #333226 (Scotland)
After Jo's first diving experiences, she was immediately hooked. She explored her newfound hobby to the max, and since then has topped up on her thirst for fresh diving environments throughout Fiji, Australia, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. This little fish has not quite plucked up the courage to brave the cold waters of her home country in Scotland - maybe someday, but she loves the sun way too much! After a short stint in the UK’s banking world, everything was put into perspective for this soon-to-be diving pro. In 2014 she packed her bags and headed to paradise, and has been a member of the Ocean Sound team ever since. A woman of many talents, she now spends her time teaching courses, managing the dive shop, and keeping the dive equipment in immaculate condition as our equipment technician. When she's not at work, you can find her in the yoga studio, at the gym, or mothering her four naughty cats.
Sanne De Wint, Dive Instructor - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #362973 (Belgium)
While still living in Belgium, Sanne got a degree in teaching, and a masters in Graphic Arts. Her love for beauty and nature, and desire to care for other people, led her to search for a path that would combine her passions. She had first dived in Croatia in 2004, and after selling all her possessions and heading to Asia in 2013, she returned to the ocean to find what she had been looking for; a career that would allow her to immerse herself in the astonishing beauty of the ocean, combined with freedom, adventure, and most importantly, the ability to share all of this with others. Sanne believes the smiles she sees from students who first experience diving are as amazing as the wonderful environment that she gets to work in. She's now dived in Croatia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Belgium, and Australia, and hopes to add more countries to the list in the future. But, as much as she loves traveling and exploring, she loves to come home to the little rock that has been her home for the past four years, and to Ocean Sound Dive & Yoga. When she's not diving, you're likely to find Sanne in the yoga studio, or perhaps dancing or indulging in her passion for good food!
Sâmia Possamai, Dive Instructor - PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #369711 (Brazil)
Originally from Brazil, Sâm has been traveling since she was 18; it was during a 3 year stint living in Australia where she dove 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, and life, plans. She gave up her plane ticket to go home, became a dive instructor, and has been living her dreams ever since. Teaching is in 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!
José (Cote) Ugarte, PADI Open Water Scuba 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, and became a PADI instructor. Afterwards, he moved to New Zealand and learned to speak English. Cote has since been in Koh Tao for the past three years, working and learning every day. Cote is 29 years old, and was recently married in Thailand. He loves football, movies, and spending time with his wife and friends.
Alexandra Woynarowich, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #333260 (Canada)
Alex started travelling at age 18. A marine conservation project first brought her to Koh Tao, where she fell in love with the marine environment, diving, and the island in general. Always a lover of water and watersports, diving quickly became a love and an addiction. After some time spent studying Biology, Koh Tao was calling her back, and it’s been home ever since. Not a fan of the cold weather and snow of Canada, Koh Tao is the perfect island paradise. After checking out several Koh Tao dive schools, Alex found herself at home at Ocean Sound. Alex loves to share her passion for the underwater world with others, and teaching scuba diving is the best way! When not underwater, Alex loves to hike and explore the island, and help out at the local animal clinic.
Zuzana Hulova, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor #368961 (Slovakia)
Zuzana first fell in love with diving after watching the film "Le Grand Blue." The dream was to one day see for herself what life was like under the surface. In 2006, she made that a reality. Zuzana has been living in Koh Tao for a few years now, and loves to pass on her love for the ocean and the sport of diving.
Yoga Team
Cynthia Joanne Naydani, Co-Owner & Yoga Manager - Yoga Alliance eRYT500 (Canada)
Cynthia’s deep passion for yoga infuses every aspect of her life. Her teachings are full of joy, compassion, and an authentic desire to help students connect to their own limitless potential. Her dynamic vinyasa classes offer students the opportunity to go beyond what they thought possible, while also giving them the tools to meet those challenges safely and with enthusiasm. While teaching yin and restorative sessions Cynthia cultivates a nurturing environment that encourages deep relaxation and peace. In all her classes, Cynthia interweaves the ancient teachings alongside progressive creativity (and killer playlists). Cynthia is the founder of Ocean Sound Yoga, where she teaches a variety of yoga classes to people from all over the world. Cynthia will always be a student first, and a teacher second, of this sacred practice. She travels around the globe to study varied lineages from master teachers, and is deeply dedicated to her own practice, both on and off the mat. Above all, Cynthia’s studies, travels, and life experiences have shown her that the central tenet of yoga is absolutely true: we are all connected, and we are all ONE. If she's not on her mat, you can find Cynthia hiking through the hills of Koh Tao, cuddling her four cats, or planning adventures to nourish her wandering soul.
Oluwakemi (Ok) Oso, Yoga Teacher (USA)
After untreated stress manifested in a full-body hives outbreak, Ok turned to yoga to help manage her anxiety. She found that yoga offered a space where her mind could stop overthinking, and instead connect with her body & tune in with what she was experiencing. The practice taught her how to find serenity in the face of the unknown... with time, transforming every aspect of her life. As a Movement for Black Lives organizer in DC, Ok became a yoga teacher with the intention of bringing the practice as a form of self-care and resistance to organizers & activists. She believes in yoga as a tool of personal self-transformation that can trigger change in the world at large. She strives to create an inclusive environment in her classes, wherein all people of various identities & backgrounds feel supported. Ok first came to Ocean Sound to do her PADI course; Koh Tao worked its magic and she fell in love with the island, and Ocean Sound, and the rest was fate. You can catch Ok around Koh Tao reading, writing (both computer code & fiction), on the beach, or gazing at the moon.
Gökben Bacgi, Yoga Teacher (Turkey)
Gökben started her love affair with yoga while still working as a manager in a business development company. Spending all her days in a seated position, she bought her first yoga mat to stretch her ailing muscles. Not long after, she quit everything and started to cycle around the world, from France to Thailand.
Yoga was a major part of her life already but, with this trip, it became a daily routine. As much as her leg muscles were getting stronger from cycling, they were also getting shorter and more contracted. Yoga was the only cure for her cramps and contractions. Similarly, she realized that beyond the physical, yoga could help her stretch the brain as well. Successfully using yoga as a cure to relax her mind, she then started down a more mindful and spiritual path. Yoga wasn’t just a good workout and a physical release; it was a daily necessity to connect with her body, her soul and her environment.
Gökben gave her cycling journey a break in Koh Tao but you can join her as she continues her spiritual journey at Ocean Sound. She leads her classes with a joyful, encouraging, positive and variation-based technique.
Her approach to yoga (and to life) is: 'the only limit is in the mind.' An activity that can simultaneously stretch and strengthen your mind, body and soul... Yoga is the answer to all life’s questions.
"My only goal to make participants feel more peaceful in their heart, lighter in their mind and stronger in their soul at the end of every practice."
Yoga was a major part of her life already but, with this trip, it became a daily routine. As much as her leg muscles were getting stronger from cycling, they were also getting shorter and more contracted. Yoga was the only cure for her cramps and contractions. Similarly, she realized that beyond the physical, yoga could help her stretch the brain as well. Successfully using yoga as a cure to relax her mind, she then started down a more mindful and spiritual path. Yoga wasn’t just a good workout and a physical release; it was a daily necessity to connect with her body, her soul and her environment.
Gökben gave her cycling journey a break in Koh Tao but you can join her as she continues her spiritual journey at Ocean Sound. She leads her classes with a joyful, encouraging, positive and variation-based technique.
Her approach to yoga (and to life) is: 'the only limit is in the mind.' An activity that can simultaneously stretch and strengthen your mind, body and soul... Yoga is the answer to all life’s questions.
"My only goal to make participants feel more peaceful in their heart, lighter in their mind and stronger in their soul at the end of every practice."
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.
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!
