Meet the staff

Welcome to our staff page. Our team of experienced staff can teach more than 16 specialties between them and all PADI courses up to and including instructor level. We have over 25 years teaching experience and well over 15000 logged dives collectively. We can also teach in 5 languages. Please allow us to introduce your Oxygene team

Neil Smith    
Centre Manager    

Nationality: British
Languages: English & Spanish     

Neil has been responsible for the daily running of the dive centre since arriving on Tenerife in 2004. He is a PADI Divemaster and holds commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster and Advanced Powerboat licences. With a background in Oceanographic instrument manufacturing and management, if you want help planning your dives, arranging accommodation, purchasing new equipment from our store, or with just about anything that will make your stay more enjoyable, Neil is your man!                     
                                      

 

Paul Sturgess    
Technical Director

Nationality: British
Languages: English        

Paul is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and IANTD Mixing Technician and has been a PADI instructor since 1998 with over 4000 logged dives and over 180 diving certifications. As well as teaching courses, guiding dives and handling the boats Paul is responsible for our equipment maintenance (we keep him quite busy!). His wealth of technical experience means you can be sure your rental equipment is fully functional and kept in excellent condition. It also means we can provide a maintenance service for your personal equipment. Paul also holds an RYA Advanced Powerboat licence.                                

 

 

Emma Glover    
Divemaster


Nationality: British
Languages: English & Spanish  

Although Emma has been diving for several years she originally started working for us as part of our sales team. It was too much for her not to be involved in the diving too though so whenever she gets chance she will be getting wet and taking you on guided tours. There’s never a dull moment when Emma’s around and she’ll only stop talking when the reg is in!                        

 

Ray Vonk       
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Nationality: Dutch
Languages: Dutch, German & English

Ray has a wealth of experience in the diving industry since starting his career in 2000. With over 8000 logged dives and 250+ certifications you will be in very good hands diving with Ray. He loves his kit and really knows his stuff so if you're not sure about that next BCD purchase he will be all too happy to give you his guidance. With a great sense of humour too everyone feels at ease when diving with Ray.              


 

Ines Bergstraesser    
Open Water Scuba Instructor

Nationality: German
Languages: German, Spanish & English                 

Ines qualified as an instructor in 2006 and joined our team in 2008. While originally from Germany Ines has spent several years in Tenerife and studied here at the university in La Laguna which qualifies her to be our primary Spanish instructor too! Ines has also obtained the Spanish skippers licence for craft up to 12m LOA and has plans for taking this further. While not busy studying she also loves to dive!