Wouter | SSI Open Water Instructor

Pleased to meet you, I’m Wouter. Water has played a central role in my life since I was young. Together with my son (18) and daughter (16), I play water polo and I am also active as a water polo referee. Even outside the pool, I prefer to be on or in the water, whether it’s diving or wingfoiling — water always draws me in.

Four years ago, I took my Open Water course in Croatia. The wind didn’t cooperate that week, so wingfoiling wasn’t an option, but what started as a spontaneous decision quickly grew into a new passion. From that moment, I knew: this is something I want to explore further.

At the beginning of 2025, I came to Curaçao for a month to do a lot of diving at Porto Mari Dive Center. I had heard it was a great dive school on a beautiful beach — and that turned out to be absolutely true. During that month, I took more specialties than I had planned, simply because I couldn’t get enough of diving.

During the summer holidays, I further expanded my experience on a diving trip to Malaysia, which only strengthened my enthusiasm. In the meantime, I have left my permanent job in the Netherlands and now divide my time between the Netherlands and Curaçao. When I am in Curaçao, you can find me five days a week at the dive school at Porto Mari Sports, where I am actively involved in the daily diving activities.

I was trained at Porto Mari as a Divemaster and assistant instructor and have now also become an open water instructor. Diving has grown from a hobby into a new way of life for me — a passion I love to share with others.