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Our ambassadors

 

Scuba Travel has an ambassador on most of our group and theme trips.  Occasionally it is one of us from the office, read more about us here, but most often we have chosen ambassadors that are specialized in a certain field, or quite simply, are people that just love to travel and dive. 
Below you can read more about them and which trips each will be leading for us.

Annelie Pompe Jonna Bergström Michael Bergström Annika Malmberg
Ingvar Eliasson Lill Haugen Tomas Jansson Mia Pietikäinen
Jennie Soriano Jesper Kjøller Elin Linde Sami Paakkarinen
Anders Salesjö      

 

Free divers

Annelie Pompe    

I dive because I love the sea.  My love for the sea has made me one of the deepest freedivers in the world. I share this love for the sea by teaching others the feeling of freedom that freediving brings – of being one with the sea without any clumsy equipment, as well as a professional uw-photographer.  

But I don’t mind breathing underwater at all! I have a background in Scuba diving and am a PADI Divemaster with around 500 dives in seas around the world. I have been working with both scuba  and freediving in Thailand and Egypt, as well as in Sweden. During Swedish summers I’m based in Lysekil, teaching freediving in Gulmarsfjorden.

I started my photography career because I wanted to show the beautiful underwater landscapes to my friends above the surface. Later on my photography moved on to mostly freediving photos, all of which are taken on one breath of air. It’s a challenge to be a freediving photographer because you only have a few moments to capture the perfect photo and you’ve got to get all the settings right. I contribute articles to the magazine FOTO, have won several photography competitions and have participated as a competition judge.

I also have a great love for the creatures of the sea, and I’ve taken several courses in Marine biology to get to know them better. I hope that scuba divers around the world are doing their best to preserve our beautiful seas and their inhabitants.

A few links:


Past trips:

  • Red Sea liveaboard - free diving course and training - November 2011

Photographers

 

Ingvar Eliasson

I have been interested in biology, including the marine side of things, my whole life.  My interest for diving and photography started around the same time, as early as 1970.  My first underwater pictures were taken on a Nikonos II at the beginning of the 70's.  It wasn't until 2001 when I switched from an analog to a digital camera that I started to get very serious.  My first kick was on a guided (Anders Salesjö) UW-photo safari in Egypt with my new camera equipment.

Today I have done over 500 dives with a camera and have even won competitions and had gallery displays.  What I truely enjoy is creating the opportunity for photography-interested divers to meet and develop their skills together - likely because I had gained so much knowledge and enjoyment from participating in such an event myself when I was starting out.

I am very involved with educational questions and have organized workshops and seminars in UW-photography for many years, together with DYK magazine and the website www.digideep.com.  In 2008 I took over as chairman for the Swedish Sport Diver organisation's UW commitee and have since been involved in teaching and holding competitions.

In April of 2008 I was involved for the first time as an UW safari leader to the Red Sea for Scuba Travel.  Since then we have been developing the concept together and in the summer of 2010, I led my third safari on a liveaboard in the Red Sea.  
After three trips to Egypt, is was time to try something new.  This time we flew to North Sulawesi, Indonesia.  Keep your eyes on this list, as there are some exciting trips in the works for 2013 and 2014!

A few links:


Past trips: 

  • Photo safaris - Red Sea liveaboard in April 2008, July 2009 & 2010, UW-photo workshop in Manado & Lembeh, Indonesia in April 2012
  • Inlands & Islands, Tanzania - February 2013.  An adventure that includes whale sharks, elephants and paradise islands among other things. 


Upcoming trips:

  • Majestic Madagascar - March 2014.  This island made famous through the cartoon movies of the same name, will offer the avid adventurer a trip of a lifetime.  Combine the jungle with a dive liveaboard and you have magic!
    Read more here

 


 

Jonna Bergström

If I should describe myself with a few words I would say that I am a passionate adventurer and nature photographer! I have been fascinated with the Galapagos ever since I was a child and one of my dreams and goals were to go there. I have now been to my dream destination twice, the second time as a diver and underwater photographer. It was my interest for photography, and the thought of diving and taking underwater pictures that gave me motivation to start diving.  Photography is what pushes me to challenge myself and to break my boundaries. I am a certified PADI Divemaster and educated through RAID on Poseidon rebreather Discovery MK VI.

I am a competitive person and compete in Windsurfing (speed) and I became Swedish champion in UW-photo 2009, a wonderful confirmation of all my efforts.

My aim as an ambassador for Scuba Travel is to help you who are interested in unique nature experiences to get the most out of your trip. I was on a UW-photo safari in the Red Sea summer 2010 and my goal now is to be the guide on an exclusive diving trip to Galapagos. I like to do things thoroughly, so I’m doing a lot of research and preparations so that everyone who joins the trip will get an unforgettable experience! Documentation of the trip is very important for me so an illustrated travel logbook is included in my trips.

Some links:
•    My website: www.laluna.se
•    My profile på Fotosidan
•    Report from UW-photosafari in Red Sea 2010-12-13

Past trips:

  • November 2012 - Galapagos liveaboard 

Upcoming trip:

  • November 2014 - Discover Galapagos with someone who knows her way around.  Cruise to Wolf and Darwin Islands onboard Buddy Darwin. 
    Read more about the trip here.
     

 

Jennie Soriano

I took my first breath underwater in the Baltic Sea and was instantly hookied.  I loved the feeling of being in this new, and exciting environment, and I still do 15 years later. During the years I have been diving in several areas of the world and I find that each place has its own unique flora and fauna to explore. This is what has kept me curious and enjoying both warm tropical waters, as well as our cooler and more challenging waters here at home.  To better understand the underwater environment, I have studied marine biology and fish physiology.

About 10 years ago I had a couple of intense seasons as a dive master/ guide in Egypt, Thailand and Spain.  That is where I came into contact with several fantastic photographers and the more old fashioned type of camera equipment.  I started using both analog and compact.  It wasn't until 2009 that I bought my first DSLR camera that my photography really got started and now I rarely dive without my Canon.

One of my favourite destinations is the Philippines. With its rich marine life and fantastic opportunities to study even the tiniest animals close up, either through a lens or with the plain eye, it is pretty much unbeatable! 

In 2010 I started working with SSDF's (Swedish sport divers federation), underwater photo commitee.  We work to develop the rules for competitions, material for courses and organize workshops and competitions.

To find out more about me visit: www.uwphotos-soriano.com

Past trips:

  • Puerto Galera, Philippines - October 2011
  • Visayas, Philippines - September 2012

Upcoming trip:

  • Tubbataha Reef, Philippines -  April 2014, read more here
  • Komodo, Indonesia - September 2014, this trip is fully booked

     

Lill Haugen

I’m rarely underwater without my camera, as you never know what amazing creatures you may come across. While living in Brisbane Australia in 2011,  I was so blown away by close encounters with sharks, whales and rays that it inspired me to dive, even after moving back to the icy waters of Norway. I love exploring the underwater world in the Norwegian fjords, diving with “big fish” in tropical waters, and traveling to explore unique, and remote corners of the ocean, in search of the world’s top spots for diving.

I spent 2009 submerged in the shark pit, diving face to face with Bull sharks in Fiji while working on scientific conservation projects. I took ID-shots of Bull sharks for scientific purposes on the world famous Shark dive with Beqa Adventure Divers. Hopefully my "shark tales" help divers and the general public understand shark behaviour and the threats that sharks face, thus supporting conservation efforts of sharks around the globe.

I work as a PR-adviser and journalist, as well as an underwater photographer and freelance journalist, regularly published in magazines such as Dykking (Norway) and DYK (Sweden/ Denmark), and a range of newspapers and travel magazines. I am a PADI-instructor and certified IANTD Advanced nitrox/recreational trimix.

Although my passion is sharing stories and glimpses from the underwater world, I also compete and won the 2010 title of Norwegian Champion in underwater photography, and again in 2011. I placed 2nd in the Nordic Championship and 9th in the international competition Fotosub Gran Canaria in Costa Mogán. Representing Norway in the World Championship in Turkey in May 2011, I was awarded with a silver medal and placed 9th in total

Past trip:

  • Raja Ampat, Indonesia - April 2012.  This is a trip for divers that want to explore and discover the fantastic wealth of macro life, sharks and mantas in Raja Ampat.  Lill will be there to guide photographers, from beginners to more experienced.

Upcoming trip:

  • Cocos Island, Costa Rica - September 2013.  Welcome to Hammerhead heaven - Cocos Island onboard Sea Hunter.  
    Read more here.

 

 

Jesper Kjøller

Originally a professional musician, I fell in love with diving almost 20 years ago – an experience that changed my life. I became a PADI Instructor in 1994 and a PADI Course Director in 1999. During that period I still played and taught music in the winter and managed a dive centre in Copenhagen in the summer. But it was time to make a career choice, and diving won when I in 2000 was offered the editor chair of the Danish version of DYK – the Scandinavian Dive Magazine. I started dabbling in DIR and technical diving in 2001 and ten years later I became a GUE Instructor.

I have more than 2800 dives in over 25 different countries in my logbook and I'm equally happy exploring a tropical reef or a deep wreck in Scandinavia, as long as I'm diving with my beloved underwater camera and a good buddy.

Upcoming trip: 
 

Marine biologists

Anders Salesjö

I have been interested in the marine animals and plant life for as long as I can remember.  My first aquarium I got at the age of six was the first of many that I have had over the years. At the age of 12 I joined Skövde's Sport diver club and my interest for diving and life under the waters surface got stronger and stronger.  A career as a marine biologist was pretty obvious, even as a young teenager.

During my biology studies at Gothenburg University, I would take pauses to focus on my diving and worked as an instructor both the Sweden and in tropical waters.  After my studies were finished, I taught courses about Sweden's marine fauna at Tjärnös marine biology labratory.  After several years of working with different labratories, I finally found my dream job in Lysekil on Sweden's west coast - a full time job teaching marine biology and diving at Gullmarsgymnasiet (high school).

My curiosity about our marine life has led me into photography as a way of spreading knowledge about this fantastic environment that we have. In my opinion, this is the best way to keep it safe. Through the years I have won both the Swedish and Nordic underwater photo championships, and have represented Sweden at the world championships.

Check out my website if you would like to see some of my photos, or would like to know more about myself:  www.undervattensbilder.se
 

Past trips: 
  • Visayas, Philippines - September 2012.  This is a trip for enthusiastic divers that want to explore the fantastic wealth of fish and marine life in this area.
 
Upcoming trips:  
  • Sardine Run, South Africa - June 2013.  Experience one of the world's most exciting natural phenomenons!
    Read more here
  • Socorro, Mexico - March 2014.  Sharks, whales, mantas and dolphins all on the same trip! Don't miss this incredible liveaboard trip to Mexico's Pacific coast.
    Read more here
     

Tech and Cave divers

Michael Bergström

I got my first mask when I was 7 years and then I decided that I was going to be a diver!

I was 15 when I tried scuba diving for the first time, but I have had many other interests as martial arts and fixing old and broken cars. Scuba diving became a real interest about 10 years later, and then I was hooked!

In 1995 I quit my job as a carpenter and started to work full time with diving. Today, 15 years later I have no plans to quit working with diving. Working with diving also means working with people and that is very satisfying.

•    I have educated divers on my own since 1999.
•    I became a NAUI Tech instructor in 2000.
•    Educated through NAUI, PADI and IANTD.
•    I started SwedTech Divin 2003, that is an educational institute and teaches mostly tech diving.

I love wreck diving but appreciate all kinds of diving. I think that the contrasts between different dive sites enrich the diving. Travelling and the experiences I get by travelling are like a poison for me, a good poison. I travel as much as I can, both with and without my diving gear.

Here is a link to SwedTech Diving for you who are interested taking a course of tech diving.

Past trips: 

  • November 2012:  Truk Lagoon is the ultimate wreck trip!  With over 250 wrecks to discover, shallow easy dives and fantastic companionship, this trip was one for the memory books.

Upcoming trips:

  • November 2013: Time for the next wreck haven - Coron and a week amongst the reefs in Dumaguete.  
    Read more about the trip here.

 


 

Sami Paakkarinen

 

Sami is a professional diver and is running his own company, Sampo Dive that is mainly providing technical, rebreather and cave diving training. He will be able to give you tips during your cave dives.

Sami started snorkeling when he was very young and as soon as he was allowed, changed his snorkel to a regulator, quickly falling in love with wrecks. After a few years, he bought new gear, took several dive courses, and with more experience, was able to reach even more exiting diving targets; wrecks, mines and caves. The world is full of new dive sites to explore!

Upcoming trips:

  • February 2013:  Caves, caverns, reefs and relaxing in Tulum, Mexico

     

Mia Pietikäinen

 

Mia works as a dive instructor, and in 2006 she founded her own company, Dive Line, a dealer for Bonex scooters and JJ rebreathers. Mia was the first, and is still the only, Nordic female rebreather and scooter instructor.

Having witnessed a near drowning incident when Mia was young, she feared the water for many years. 19 years later she began to dive and discovered the wonderful life that was below the surface.

 

Upcoming trips:

  • February 2013:  Caves, caverns, reefs and relaxing in Tulum, Mexico

 

 

Travel and dive lovers 

Elin Linde

I started to dive in 1996 and fell for it straight away.  Corals and wrecks, ice and tropics, tiny nudibranchs and giant sharks, I enjoy it all.  My passion in life is traveling and diving in good company.  I am always curious about new destinations and hope that you will follow along!

Past trips:

  • Read about Elin's trip to Croatia 2010 here
  • Read about Elin's trip to Jordan 2011 here
  • Pico, Azores - September 2012.  Whales, sharks, mantas, dolphins, red wine...


Upcoming trips: 

  • Maldives - September 2013.  Tropical diving from a paradise island in beautiful Maldives together with a fantastic gang of ladies.
    Read more here

 

Tomas Jansson

I got my dive certificate 15 years ago.  Today I am a PADI Divemaster with a huge interest for underwater photography.  Using my camera has given me a great opportunity to share all of the fantastic shapes and colours that are under the surface.  

Dive water that has interested me has been Thailand, Caribbean, Maldives for the reefs and diversity and South Africa for the Tiger and Great White sharks. The one destination that keeps me coming back is the Red Sea with its clear water and diversity.

Link:  www.scubasite.nu

Past trips:

  • August 2012:  Discover the fantastic marine life around the island of Pico in the Azores - whales, mantas, sharks, dolphins...

 

Upcoming trip:

  • June 2013: In Isla Mujeres Mexico, the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks is pretty much guaranteed.
    Read more here
  • June 2013 & June 2014: Travel with Tomas to England's south shores to snorkel with the Basking Shark.  
    Read more here
  • August 2013:  Discover the fantastic marine life around the island of Pico in the Azores - whales, mantas, sharks, dolphins...
    Read more here

 

Family Dive Holidays 

 

Annika Malmberg

I started diving in 1993 and knew almost immediately that this was something that I wanted to teach others. I became an instructor in 1999 and I have taught many people to dive since then. I am equally fascinated by diving in Nordic waters, as I am off tropical waters and enjoy the contrasts.

In July 2008 we had our daughter and ever since she was two months old, we have been away on diving trips together. It's great to be able to include her on our adventures and experience the world together. Many of these trips have gone to the Philippines, but I like having the whole world as a workplace. For me it is important that everyone enjoys the trip, has fun with the children and is still able to enjoy our passion of diving. Getting kids intrested in the sea at an early age increases the chance of being able to have great holidays with them when they reach an age when it may not be as fun to travel with mom and dad anymore.

As an ambassador for Scuba Travels diving trips with children, it is my goal that we should not only have a wonderful holiday together, but that we all should be able to dive as much as we want. On our holidays, we will adjust the dives so they can easily be divided between the parents. With the children being able to enjoy each others company, and a little help from each family, we will be able to get in as much diving as possible. It is also very important that the children have a wonderful experience, feel that they have fun with their new friends and get a lot of time with mom and dad. Most dive trips will only consist of one dive at a time, which means that you will not be gone for so long from your family. We will also make sure that you will be able to bring along a babysitter. We often tend to include grandmothers, as they like to go to exciting destinations they might not have otherwise gone to!

Past trip: 

  • February 2013 - Together with your family, discover the fantastic marine life, white sandy beaches and lush jungle in Sipalay, Philppines. This is a trip for the whole family to enjoy!