STEVE HICKS
Steve learnt to dive on his honeymoon in the Maldives. Returning there six more times and along with extensive diving in the UK, he qualified up to P.A.D.I Dive Master. After this Steve came over to Lanzarote from the UK and took his I.D.C. and I.E. and became a P.A.D.I. Instructor. He also qualified as an S.S.I. Instructor and a PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer with many speciality courses.
Steve loved the island and together with Wendy, they arranged many holidays here for diving clubs and individuals. They also brought over school children from the UK and taught them to dive here. All the diving was arranged through Safari Diving S.L. with no problems incurred at all.
In the UK Steve was employed as an Engineering Manager but had decided that the offer to buy Safari Diving was too good an offer to refuse! His Engineering skills come in very handy and as well as diving and teaching, he also maintains the boats. A very busy schedule!
He has no regrets about leaving England and now enjoys life to the full here in Lanzarote, as he often tells his friends in the UK when he calls them on the phone! He does however, miss going to see his rugby team (Saracens) and catches them on TV when he can or trys to see them when he visits the UK.
Any Questions to Steve? Send an e-mail to: enquiry@safaridiving.com
WENDY HICKS
Wendy also learnt to dive with Steve, on their honeymoon in the Maldives. She has been organising holidays to Lanzarote for groups of up to 58 persons for many years now. Arranging flights, accommodation - through an ABTA approved agent , car hire, insurance and of course the diving! The complete package!
Because Steve and Wendy know Puerto Del Carmen so well, they can ensure that the accommodation is of good standard and near to the dive centre. Wendy continues with all the bookings now that she lives in Lanzarote.
Her role at Safari Diving SL is: Administration and finance, transporting clients and all the bookings for diving, flights and accommodation! And covering at the dive centre.
Wendy worked in the UK for many years as a Payroll Manager but has wanted to move to Lanzarote for a long time . It was her "dream come true!" when they bought the dive centre. She also has no regrets about leaving England but misses going to her football matches (Everton).
She manages to squeeze in some games when she visits England.
Any Questions to Wendy? Send an e-mail to: enquiry@safaridiving.com
VINCENT
TIMP
Vincent is also from Holland and is the youngest member of the Safari Diving SL team.
He is an IDD and PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer. Vincent had worked for the Dutch Social (Un)Security and then he decided to go for it by saying goodbye to the cold Netherlands.
He came to Lanzarote to pursue his big passion-diving and training people to dive. He then found another passion here in Lanzarote and recently got engaged to the lovely Nicky! Vincent also helps Wendy and Steve with translating all the dutch emails and updating the dutch website.
Any questions to Vincent ? Send an e-mail to: vincenttimp1@hotmail.com
KEITH DARBYSHIRE
Keith is our oldest Dive Instructor, but accordingly to him the best looking one at Safari Diving SL!
Keith had already had a few years on his sailing boat, before deciding to settle a while here on Lanzarote. He and Georg (who at the time was a complete novice!) went his boat for several months sailing. He often tells us tales about the voyage! He moors his boat here and spends much of his free time, sailing or working on the boat.
For many years he has been a dive instructor and is also a powerboat instructor. Keith also maintains all our cylinders.
Any questions to Keith ? Send an e-mail to: keith_dar@yahoo.co.uk.
HERMAN VAN LEEUWEN
We are very sorry to announce that, whilst on holiday, Herman suffered a majour heart attack and passed away soon afterwards. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
INGRID
Ingrid is Dutch too but unlike the others she is from below the rivers.
In 1998 this PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer left “gloggy”-land to travel the world and work/dive full-time.
After having worked in Malta, Thailand and Egypt she arrived on Lanzarote in 2004.
In 2007 she swapped resort from Costa Teguise for Puerto del Carmen to strengthen Safari’s dive team as female instructor.
RENE VAN LEEUWEN
After having sold the business to Steve and Wendy, René has remained part of the team and is now the "Technical Director " of Safari Diving SL.
He went over a rocky road to build up the dive centre into what it is now! And you can believe us it was not always easy, here on this Canary Island, with all it´s little laws and sometimes strange regulations. But René did not give up and now we can see the result!
Rene has lived here on Lanzarote for over 19 years, together with Dea, Lobke-Juanita and his parents in-law. After having worked as a commercial diver for many companies (Wijsmuller, Smit, an Amerikan company in Libia,...) he now is the Technical Director of Safari Diving SL!
He is also the NAUI Delegate in Spain, although he has never worn a 3 piece suit! Rene's choice of suit is a wetsuit!! It is great to keep René on board with Safari Diving SL.But we have to remind him to have some rest too!
Any Questions to René? Send an e-mail to: naui@telefonica.net
WILLEM DE MEERLEER
Willem originally comes from Belgium and is the Cameraman of Safari Diving SL.
He escaped his fatherland to explore the world (he had enough of eating french-fries)! He sailed to the Carribean Islands together with his father on a small sail boat and worked there as a Dive Instructor. Later Willem began working for Safari Diving SL as a PADI Staff Instructor.
It had always been his dream to make underwater films, so 4 years ago he followed an advanced film course and after he gained much knowledge and experience, he started his own small underwater video company named "Miragua". Miragua offers in co-öperation with Safari Diving SL, a standard underwater video which you can purchase.
Alternatively you can have personal underwater film made with yourself in the lead role! This is a beautiful souvenir from your dive vacation and your sport. It is also nice for your friends and family, especially non-divers! They can all start to understand your enthusiasm in Scuba Diving and the underwater world! Willem produces high quality videos that make the audience watch from the tip of their chair. Do not forget to take this precious memory home with you.
Any one interested in underwater filming can follow a PADI/NAUI underwater videography course which is conducted by Willem.
Willem has his own website, have a look at www.uwfilm.com for more information.
