wendy@underthejungle.com
CONTACT WENDY
wendy@underthejungle.com
WENDY QUICK STATS
• Open water and specialities instructor
• TDI cave diver and guide
• Trimix diver
• Tattoo artist
• From Czech Republic, lived in Greece for 20 years
• Languages: English, Czech, Slovakian, Greek, conversational French and Spanish.
HOW DID I GET INTO DIVING?
My first dive was a complete disaster: Poor visibility, insufficient briefing, and a lack of safety left me with a sour taste whenever I thought of diving. I left that first diving experience feeling demoralized and unsure if I would ever want to try scuba diving again. Almost a decade later, circumstances inspired me to give it another try.
This time, my experience was completely different. The moment I slipped beneath the surface, I was mesmerized by the underwater world. I discovered a whole new universe waiting to be explored, hidden under my nose for all those years! That one dive changed the course of my life forever.
Upon surfacing, my first question was, “What do I need to do to experience this every day?” The answer was straightforward: “Become an instructor.”
From that moment on, if a day passed without diving, I felt like a fish out of its element, gasping for breath. I worked hard to gather as much knowledge and education as possible to become the best instructor and diver possible. The water had cast its spell on me, and diving became an integral part of my life.
WHAT DRAWS ME TO CAVE DIVING?
As a newly certified open-water diver, our guide led us to a small cavern and allowed us to venture just a few meters into the overhead to look inside. I looked deeper, and I could see that the cave continued! Boy, did I want to know what lay beyond that dark curtain!
I could never have imagined that something so dark and intimidating from the outside could be so beautiful, colorful, and fascinating on the inside. The hidden mysteries and potential discoveries drew me in like a magnet! Since then, I have known that cave diving was the path I wanted to follow.
Cave diver training became the next logical step in my journey. For me, cave diving is about the thrill of exploration; it embodies endless possibilities, self-discipline, and a never-ending growth process. Each dive challenges me to push my limits, enhancing my skills as a diver and educator.
Cave diving allows me to peak through time and witness lost history — fragments of ancient civilizations preserved within natural beauty in its most pristine form. It forces my otherwise scattered and wandering mind to focus and get organized.
If I had to choose between ocean diving and cave diving, cave diving will always be the winner!
WHY UNDER THE JUNGLE?
After a long search for a dive center in Mexico, I came across Under the Jungle’s site, and their philosophy and approach instantly spoke to me. We exchanged several messages, and I was booking a flight to Mexico before I knew it. Upon arrival, I found a team of passionate, dedicated, and thorough instructors. Their knowledge is vast, and their commitment to teaching is evident in every interaction. They approach each lesson with a genuine desire to see their students progress and become elite divers.
There is never a dull moment in the shop; every minute spent with them is unforgettable, educational, and fun! Every day at UTJ reminds me how fortunate I am to be in such an extraordinary community.
