meet the team
the buddha view dive crew

We think the fun we have doing our jobs reflects in the fun you'll have while diving with Buddha View. The instructors are probably the people you'll want to know most about so they've each got their own little bit below.
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There is a hard working team backing them up from the management of Jira, the divemaster team, who will lead you on dive tours once you're certified. They know their stuff so any questions that you might have they will have answers for...

Tim and Ruth are our videographers who'll be filming you on your last day of the open water course. Go for Glam! Tim and Ruth have been teaching and videoing on the island for years. Their videos make a fantastic souvenir of your Koh Tao journey and their experience can offer great videography courses.

Alex Staeubl (German, Spanish, English Instructor) joined Buddha View 6 years ago, spending his time before Koh Tao touring europe as an exotic dancer and playing guitar in a 'Scorpions' cover band. Seriously, Alex is an extremely experienced IDC Staff instructor with over 4000 certifications. Alex teaches fluently in German (or at least in Bavarian), Spanish and English. He has taught in South and Central America as well as throughout Thailand.


Jack. (Instructor) Papa Jack has been with Buddha View about 5 years. Jack's other passion in life is mountaineering, a skill which has helped him in his 3 year long climb to the high moral ground from which he looks down at the rest of the Buddha View staff. Before arriving on Koh Tao, Jack dived extensively in his native Ireland. Jack has in excess of 3000 certifications and enthusiastically teaches many of the Rescue courses at Buddha View. He is also a PADI Staff Instructor and DAN O2 Provider certified.

Craig (Instructor) worked in military intelligence before joining Buddha View 4 years ago. Craig worked as a modern day 'Wind Talker', made famous by the Nicholas Cage movie. Using his original Scottish accent as a code unbreakable by the enemy, Craig could pass secrets across the airwaves. Craig's career as a Windtalker didn't last long when it emerged not even his own side could understand a word he says. He has in excess of 1000 certifications and is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Vicky (Swedish/Norwegian, English Instructor) Vicky is an able seaman. Not exactly the image that springs to mind. She has some of the finest assets of all the team, which she proudly displays to staff and customers alike.

Scouse John. (Instructor, Equipment Technician) John has 5 years experience as a dive guide on Koh Tao with many of the successful dive centers. He brings that great local knowledge to the dive tours at Buddha View. John is also a highly experienced equipment technician with certifications with Aqualung, Mares and Scubapro. Having John on staff ensures well maintained equipment and quality equipment courses.

James (Instructor) has been with Buddha View for 1 year now and hails from Australia. James isn't really sure what he's doing here... or how he even got here. When you talk to James, please talk slowly and don't use long words. What he lacks in intelligence he makes up for in.... erm.. er... eh..... 

Irish Pete (Irish Instructor) be'jesus! Pete has a passion for potatoes, potatoe diving, and is Buddha View's only PPI (Potatoe Preparation Instructor). If it's not a potatoe, pete's not interested. He likes to share his own potatoes with the ladies. Just ask to see his sack full, and he will happily whip out a couple of boiled beauties.

 

Jolien (Dutch, German, French, Spanish and English Instructor) Jolien has gone out into the workforce to support her aging boyfriend as he nears retirement. She keeps him young with her enthusiasm and smile.

Nigel Lewis (Diving Medic Technician , Certified Hyperbaric Technologist, professional breakdancer, Dr of journalsim, 100m sprint gold medalist in 1998 olympics, second man to set foot on the moon, holder of the 2004 nobel prize for poetry, and bar owner) Nigel is currently working with Stephen Hawkins on the grand unified theory, making the dream of time travel become a reality.
(OK... So Nigel obviously wrote this himself. Not to sing his praises, but it is good to have a medic on staff. It adds to safety and O2 and EFR courses. )

Kyte Gawman (MSc Marine Resource Manager & Freelance Instructor) We stopped using a podium on the IDC 8 years ago when a tattooed and pierced Geordie started ranting and raving from the pulpit. These days he has calmed down and put that passion into the marine environment and entertaining the divemaster trainees. Kyte brings to Koh Tao a thorough knowledge of reef ecology. He offers an excellent opportunity to really learn about the environment that you dive in with courses and research projects.

Team Korea (Dive Tours and Instruction)

Team Japan (Dive Tours and Instruction)

 

Mark Soworka (Course Director) Mark puts his growth down to hard work and a massive appetite for teaching and hamburgers. Oh yeah... and he never pays his bills.

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