Get To Know Us ;)
Meet The Team
Video Features:
|
|
|
|
Biographies:
Dive Team
Jesper Ahrentz, Co-Owner + 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 + 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, General Manager + PADI Dive 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!
Chris Asbury, PADI Dive Instructor 533726 (South Africa🇿🇦)
Chris was first introduced to scuba diving by his father at the young age of five years old, while playing around the family pool. Fast forward a few years and he was old enough to start his open water course. During the pandemic, Chris managed to get stuck in Thailand while on a family holiday for the most of that year. One quick trip to Koh Tao during that period was enough to convince him to come back and work full time as an instructor. Before moving to Koh Tao, Chris was a full time student for 6 years, studying finance in South Africa. Some of his hobbies include triathlon and hiking.
Josephine Wismar, PADI Dive Instructor 532731 (Denmark🇩🇰)
Josie is an enthusiastic scuba diving instructor from Denmark, and found her true calling beneath the waves of Koh Tao. She blends her love for the ocean with her innate teaching abilities. Renowned for her quick intellect and warm demeanor, she crafts an engaging and positive learning environment for her students. Josie's dedication to instilling confidence and respect for the underwater world is at the heart of her courses. As she celebrates her first anniversary in this tropical paradise, her commitment to sharing the wonders of the ocean remains at the core of her mission.
Em Stout, RYT - Yoga Manager + Instructor (USA🇺🇸)
Em’s yoga journey became more than just a hobby when she found herself chronically burned out in her traditional “white picket fence” lifestyle, while struggling with PTSD behind closed doors. An occasional class quickly turned into her becoming a yoga teacher, while managing a mental health clinic and providing Neurofeedback. Because of the powerful results her clients experienced, Em decided to specialize in nervous system regulation and stress management, and moved to Thailand to share this healing work full time. She is currently working towards hosting Stress Relief retreats in Koh Tao, while studying to become a certified Yoga Therapist. “I’m on a mission to share the medicine that changed and saved me.” Join Em in her Stress Relief, Restorative and Yin classes at Ocean Sound!
Les Oletuia'ana, PADI Dive Instructor 527539 (New Zealand🇳🇿)
Les was born and raised in the windy capital of Wellington, New Zealand and proudly claims his parents Samoan heritage; a little island in the South Pacific ocean. Les had his first taste of diving back in 2015 on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. It wasn't until 2019 that Les decided that it was time to return to the ocean on a more permanent basis in Sydney, Australia. In July 2022, Les and his partner left their secure jobs, sold all their belongings and purchased a one way ticket to Koh Tao. Les is an advocate for his LGBTQI community and is at home at Ocean Sound knowing that he has their full support. During his time off, Les likes to play tennis, entertain friends at home and baking desserts.
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.
Zee, Ocean Sound Office Assistant (Thailand🇹🇭)
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!
