Pascal de Meyer, Manager of Dive Operations and Retail

Pascal De Meyer has been working in the dive industry for over three decades. Originally from Belgium he has lived and worked on Bonaire for the past 20 years. An avid diver, Pascal has logged over 5,000 hours underwater as a sports diver, dive instructor and commercial diver and taught hundreds of recreational divers. Additionally, in past years, Pascal has successfully run Dive Friends Bonaire's retail outlets on Bonaire's Kaya Grandi. An outdoor boy at heart, Pascal lives with his family on an energy-saving, self-sufficient farm (kunuku) powered by solar energy where he raises sheep, goats, chickens, and keeps a variety of exotic animals.

Asko Tabasko, Assistant Manager and Instructor

Hi, my name is Asko and I came to the island in 2007. Before that I lived on Statia, Saba AND MANY OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD. At the age of 15 I started diving in the dark cold waters of Holland. In 2002 I became an instructor in Koh Tao Thailand. Most of the time you'll find me at the Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine shop either behind the counter or in the water. I love the diving in Bonaire because it's very diverse, with nice corals, big and small fish and, of course, the HILMA Hooker. All dive sites are accessible for beginners and more experienced people.

Hope to c u underwater in Bonaire.

Judith Abdul, Administration

Judith Abdul came to work for Dive Friends Bonaire as an administrator and later as a bookkeeper. Judith has been doing this work since 1993. During the years, Judith has amassed lots of experience. She likes her job and also enjoys interacting with all the people around her. Judith lives on Bonaire with her husband. Her two daughters are away studying in The Netherlands.

Denise Jenny, Assistant Retail Manager

In 2006, I left Holland to get a taste of the Caribbean. I came in touch with DIVING and learned how to make FRIENDS all over the world. After a stop for two weeks on BONAIRE, I decided that this was the island for me. And how can I not work for Dive Friends Bonaire? The name consists of three words that changed my life and work in a business that brings people great joy. After you are done diving with us, don’t forget to check out our retail stock and perhaps take home a nice t-shirt for your house, dog, or donkey sitter.

Jurjen Wester, Instructor

Hello, I’m Jurjen, better known as “Jur” and I was founded in 1983. On January 19, 2007, I came to Bonaire to do my Divemaster and IDC. The idea was to stay here for five months, but now I’m living on this beautiful Island. I work for Dive Friends Bonaire at all four locations and have achieved my Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating. In Holland, I worked as a butcher and ran my own company in the pretty town of Vollenhove. If you want to have a great vacation, come dive with Dive Friends Bonaire. See you on the beautiful Island, Bonaire.

Astrid de Jager, Instructor

Hi, I'm Astrid. In a former life, I used to be a musicologist, writer, and editor. The idea of taking a short break-- enjoying myself on Bonaire and in the surrounding waters--got a bit out of hand, and, now I'm  working full time as an instructor at Dive Friends Bonaire. I hope to see you soon and share my love for the Island and the marine life with you.

Frederique Schreurs, Instructor

Hi, My name is Frederique and you can find me at Dive Inn! I have lived on Bonaire since 2006, along with my husband and two children. I love to teach, but I also really like the marketing activities I do for Dive Friends--visiting the people with whom we work! Please come over, have a cup of coffee or tea, as there is always time for a nice chat!

Peter Kruithoff, Divemaster

Every day I'm still fascinated by the magnificent marine park surrounding Bonaire, and I'm willingly prepared to share this with anyone, whether it's a guided dive on the beautiful house reef opposite the Yellow Sub office or a boat trip to the special dive sites up north or to Klein Bonaire. In my " spare dive time," I'm actively supporting projects and new initiatives that will have to lead to a sustainable economic growth of the island's economy. On top of that I'm a consultant for the entrepreneurs and local authorities on innovation and entrepreneurship. I'd love to meet you on one of our speedy and completely equiped Dive Friends Bonaire's dive boats!

Dick Hanekamp, Front Desk

Bon dia, I’m Dick Hanekamp and I came to the beautiful island of Bonaire in 2007. Before this time, I lived for seven years in France where I owned my own hotel. For me, it was always a dream to move to a place where the climate is perfect, where the palm trees cannot freeze, and where the sea is blue. This is what I found on Bonaire and this is the place where I want to be. Now I’m working for the most sociable dive school on Bonaire and I hope to see you soon at one of our locations.

Leli Mercera, Front Desk

Hi, my name is Arelis. I’m born on Bonaire and I am the mother of two beautiful little girls. I love soccer and softball. Just pass by at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine and meet me. I’m always ready for a nice chat! I speak Papiamentu, Dutch, Spanish, and English! Hope to see you soon!

Mary Frans-Hart, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends Divers Discount

You'll find me working in the shop called Dive Friends Divers Discount from Monday to Friday each week. Since I began my retail career here with the former owner, I'm proud to say I've been with this shop now for 19 years. I love to talk with my customers and I'm happy to see many of the same customers coming back visit after visit; they always come in to say hello to me. I was born on Bonaire, and I’m a true Antillean woman. I have one daughter and she makes me very proud. I love my work.

Antonia Coffy, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet

Hello my name is Antonia. I was born and raised on Bonaire and now I work for Dive Friends in the dive shop. I enjoy speaking with customers and to tell them everything about my products. I think it’s especially important to give customers personal service, because that simply what they want. The nice thing is that sometimes people call me “the nice lady.” I started working for Dive Friends in 2001. In my shop, we have such brand names as Reef, Suunto, Tusa, Sherwood, Trident, among many others. Curious? Come and visit me on Kaya Grandi.

Lliane Wanga, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet and Dive Friends Divers Discount

Hello my name is Lliane Wanga, I’m an Antillean woman working for Dive Friends for the past two years. I really enjoy my work, and, just like Antonia and Mary, I love to talk with the customers. We get to meet and speak with people from many different cultures, as we see customers from America, Holland, and those from Bonaire and its neighboring islands. It's nice for me to make use of my many languages in serving these customers. You'll find me in both retail stores, as I spend a few days in Dive Friends Divers Discount and then a few days in Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet. So when you are on the island, please pass by and visit me in one of our shops.

Isha Mercera, Shop Assistant--Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet

Hello, my name is Isha Mercera, and I was born on Bonaire in 1988. I'm the proud mother of three little girls. I enjoy being around people and that's why helping the divers who visit Dive Friends @ Dive Retail Outlet is such a great feeling. I'm into the natural habitat, and I love to swim in Bonaire's waters. I'm definitely looking forward to learning to dive!

Kees, All-Around Dive Assistant

Hi, my name is Kees, and even though I'm not a guy, I've got this guy's name. I guess I was named after the fellow who adopted me and brought me to Dive Friends Bonaire. You'll find me mostly at Dive Friends @ Yellow Sub, where I monitor all that is happening all day long. It's okay by me if you want to bring some dog treats, too--I won't say no! See you soon, and oh, if I'm sleeping, remember the old adage, "Let sleeping dogs alone," and let me get my beauty rest!