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.

Carolyn Caporusso, Assistant Retail Manager, Instructor

Hi, I’m Carolyn. For the past 10 years or so, I’ve been traveling around the world, working and diving. Then I found Bonaire and fell in love with it! The bio-diversity is incredible and the conditions are always perfect. I guess that’s why they call it Diver’s Paradise!! I’m really happy to be working for Dive Friends Bonaire because I feel that their commitment to environmental protection and education matches my own. You might remember me as the Instructor from over at Yellow Submarine, but now I’m working over on the Kaya Grandi as Assistant Retail Manager. If you need quality dive gear or accessories, the Dive Retail Outlet is where you’ll find it. If you’re looking for something to remember your trip to Bonaire, we have plenty to choose from at Divers Discount. Since I don’t get underwater as much as I used to, if you have an interesting fish or critter sighting I’d love to hear about it!

Chris Verstappen, Branch Manager, Dive Inn

Hi, I'm Chris. I started diving in the Netherlands years ago and I just love to be in or underwater. I went to Bonaire on holiday several times, and at a certain moment I decided to stay. I have been living on this beautiful island for almost eight years. Diving and teaching is my passion whether it is a guided dive, an Open Water Diver course, continuing education program or specialty (PADI, SSI, SDI/TDI), a course with physically or mentally disabled persons (IAHD) or a TEC course or dive, I'm your man! Besides the training in the water, I also enjoy training Emergency First Responders. On top of that I’m Instructor Trainer for SDI/TDI, EFR, IAHD. So if you’d like to become a dive or EFR Instructor, you’re more than welcome to come by and have a chat!

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.

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.

Martin Sterk, Instructor

My name is Martin Sterk, and I'm from Beverwijk, Holland. I started diving in 1991 and I have taught diving courses for 10 years as a hobby at a N.O.B. association. In 1997, I came to Bonaire for the first time and immediately fell in love with the Island and its friendly inhabitants. After this first visit, I returned to vacation on Bonaire twelve more times and finally decided the time had come to live and work here. In Holland, I was working in a bakery for 25 years, but I wanted nothing more than to make my hobby my job! So, in April of 2008, I retrained from a C.M.A.S. instructor to a PADI Instructor. The choice to work at Dive Friends was really easy, as it is a great dive school, where the coffee is always ready! I hope to meet you soon at Dive Friends Bonaire for either a course or just a friendly talk.

Patrick van Hooijdonk, Instructor

Hi, I`m Patrick from Holland. I started diving back in Holland in 2002 and discovered the wonderful underwater world. I don't really care where I'm diving, just as long as I'm in the water--even in the middle of the night, if you want to dive, I'm your man! I first came to Bonaire in 2008 with some friends, and then in 2009, while on Bonaire, I decided to become a PADI Divemaster. But since I still had to work back in Holland, it took a long year of hard work and practice before I could become an instructor. In August, 2010, the plane was leaving from Holland and I was on it, following my dream. So, now I only have one thing I have to absolutely do and that is to dive! If you don't recognize me from my picture, just listen, as I"m told all can hear me laughing from miles around, at least that's what I'm told about twenty times each day. I'm usually found at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine, so please come in and spend a few minutes to say "hi" to me and tell me about your dive experiences on Bonaire.

Yori Carnas, Instructor

Hello. my name is Yori and I surfaced in the mid-80s somewhere in the cold and dark waters of Holland. I had my first diving experience as a little boy in a swimming pool. With my dad's octopus, I was able to breathe and swim and experienced weightlessness. It was such a great feeling, and I was hooked! In 2008, when I was on Bonaire for a dive vacation, a whole, new world opened up before my eyes. I was so amazed with this beautiful underwater world, and with the people from Bonaire, that in the beginning of 2010, I moved to Bonaire to work as a divemaster for Dive Friends Bonaire. Working in a dive center is a great job, and I love to assist during courses, guide dives, do snorkel tours, and work as captain on the boat. I have recently become a PADI Dive Instructor, and I am now really enjoying teaching new divers. So if you are on Bonaire, walk in one of the shops or do a boat dive, and I will be happy to show you the lovely underwater world of this beautiful island!

Robert, Instructor

Hello, I'm Robert and I come from the Netherlands. Four years ago I began on Bonaire, which turned out to be a very good choice, because I was immediately hooked on diving! In Holland, I did my training up through divemaster. After 22 years of working at the office, I thought, another 22 years? No, I don't think so! And so I came to Bonaire, to work at Dive Friends Bonaire and to become an Instructor. A great job to do!

I like to teach new divers or specialties, but I also assist divers with guided- or boat dives. The underwater world is so beautiful. It is opening a complete new world for everybody. So if you come to visit Bonaire, don't be shy and visit one of our four shops. We enjoy helping you and giving you a fantastic dive holiday on Bonaire!! It is great for all divers, beginners or those with experience. No doubt, come visit this beautiful island and especially the underwater world. I'd like to give you a high-five underwater!!

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!

Guus Streefkerk, Front Desk

I would like to introduce myself: My name is Guus and I was born in Holland. I liveed on beautiful Bonaire since November 2009. Over the last 14 years, I came to vacation here regularly, and Bonaire just captured my heart. I have dive experience in Egypt, Maladives, Mexico, Bali and, of course, Holland.

I enjoy taking care of our guests who visit Dive Friends @ Port Bonaire, where you can find me five days a week! I will always do my best to make sure that everything is perfect for our guests and that they have the most excellent holiday!

Hope to see you at Dive Friends Bonaire @ Port Bonaire!

Alex Leach, Front Desk

Hello, Salut, Ciao I'm Alex. Yes British, born in Italy, lived in France and now here on Bonaire!

I discovered Bonaire in 2008 but not through diving, that might explain why I do not dive yet! Don't worry, the guys are on my case to get me out there....It will be soon! I'm happy to have ended up with Dive Friends Bonaire, when needed we can really work hard together, but we also know how to have a lot of fun (like when the photo was taken at the end of year staff party).

I'm one of the only people who does not speak Dutch (the guys only teach me bad words....), but I do speak Italian and French, so for those of you who love diving but are not speaking English or Dutch, just ask for me I will not be far. Come and enjoy your holidays with us!

Maria, Front Desk

Hi! My name is Maria and I was born and raised in Sweden. I started diving about ten years ago with a visibility average of about 5 meters/15 feet. I can’t say I was hooked then, but when I started diving in warm waters, I changed my mind!

I’m very happy to be back on Bonaire. Some of you might recognize me from 2008-2009 when I worked in the front desk the first time. This time I plan to stay to enjoy the climate, the diving, and the atmosphere for a loooong time…

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.

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!