Dive Rite Technical Training Strengthens Buddy Dive Resort’s Technical Diving Team Ahead of Bonaire TeK 2026
Buddy Dive Resort recently welcomed a team of technical diving professionals and industry partners to Bonaire for advanced training and professional development focused on the Dive Rite O2ptima CM Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR).
The training formed part of Buddy Dive Resort’s ongoing commitment to investing in its Technical Diving Department and ensuring its team remains trained to the highest professional standards. By working with leading industry professionals and brands such as Dive Rite, and staying current with the latest CCR technology and equipment, Buddy Dive continues to strengthen its technical diving capabilities and deliver premium service and expertise to its guests.
Participants included José Luis Espinosa and Robert van Onno of Buddy Dive Resort, Alain Tiggelaar of Palm Trading Curaçao, and Firas Jundi, PADI Middle East Regional Manager. For Alain Tiggelaar, an experienced technical and CCR instructor, the training included an instructor evaluation and crossover to the Dive Rite O2ptima CM platform, adding Dive Rite certification to his existing rebreather instructor credentials.
Tiggelaar has been teaching rebreathers since 2016 and made the decision earlier this year to transition to the O2ptima CM. “The Instructor Evaluation exceeded every expectation. It was not simply about demonstrating the required standards: it was an opportunity to challenge myself, deepen my understanding of the O2ptima CM, exchange ideas with some of the most experienced professionals in the industry, and continue growing as both a CCR diver and educator,” said Tiggelaar.
The training also provided an opportunity for other participants to develop their skills on the O2ptima CM. “Learning how to dive with a rebreather felt like learning everything from the beginning again,” said Robert van Onno of Buddy Dive Resort. “But the thorough training from Mark and Lamar has given me a lot of confidence and a new skill set to explore the ‘silent’ underwater world further.”
For José Luis Espinosa of Buddy Dive Resort, the experience opened the door to a new area of diving. “What an amazing week I have had. It was very challenging, in the best possible way, with a lot of learning and an open door to a whole new realm in diving,” said Espinosa. “After 540 minutes on the new product, I am a CCR diver. Now the journey starts.”
Firas Jundi, PADI Middle East Regional Manager, also completed his O2ptima CM Rebreather Instructor Training directly with Dive Rite. “Having the program conducted directly by the manufacturer provided an unparalleled level of depth, refining skill mastery, fine-tuning techniques, and unlocking the true potential of this incredible unit,” said Jundi.
The training was led by Lamar Hires, co-founder of Dive Rite and a pioneer in modern technical, cave, sidemount, and rebreather diving, together with Mark Fowler, an internationally recognized Instructor Trainer specializing in cave diving, CCR, technical trimix, and public safety diving.
“Investing in the continued development of our technical diving team is essential to maintaining the level of quality and service that our guests expect from Buddy Dive Resort,” said the Buddy Dive Operations Management Team. “By working with leading professionals and established industry brands such as Dive Rite, we ensure our team stays current with the latest technology, equipment, and training standards. This allows us to continue delivering a premium technical diving experience while preparing for the next generation of technical diving activities on Bonaire.”
The training initiative is also an important step toward Bonaire Tek 2026, further strengthening the expertise, professional network, and technical capabilities behind one of Bonaire’s key technical diving events.
Through continued investment in people, training, technology, and equipment, Buddy Dive Resort remains committed to supporting the growth of technical and rebreather diving in Bonaire and providing divers with premium services and expertise in the Caribbean.
About Buddy Dive Resort
Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire is one of the Caribbean’s leading dive resorts, offering world-class shore diving, full-service dive facilities, professional training programs, and comfortable accommodations. As a PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center, Buddy Dive provides a full range of scuba education from entry-level courses to instructor development and continuing professional education. Over the last few years, Buddy Dive Resort was recognized as one of the World’s Best Dive Resorts & Operations in Scuba Diving magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards: Top 100 Gold List.
