Meet the team

As I grew up in a small Welsh village, the outdoors has always been a place I feel happy, and at home. I just love the escapism and joy that nature gives us. You can’t beat the sensation of sun on your skin, gliding across the beautiful ocean in a kayak, or catching waves with friends. It was this feeling that I wanted to share at Big Blue.

Being the co-owner suits me perfectly. I have a background in events management which marries super well with group travel. Add in my love for exploring new cultures and travelling, with my passion for the outdoors, and you have the ideal mix. Seeing my team and clients beaming with joy after sharing the perfect day out together makes me feel complete. I have learned that life is all about making memories and creating connections. Adventure is the perfect way to do this.

Exploring other countries and trying new activities is when I feel like I’m living life to the fullest, I crave that feeling of excitement! It all started in Australia, when I first left home in The Netherlands and fell in love with living abroad. Life is all about sharing memorable experiences with others, and that’s what I get to do on a daily basis with Big Blue. I have a background in tourism, delivering outdoor activities in Turkey and I worked at group accommodation in Cardiff, before Dan and I started our own exciting business adventure together.

Growing up in the Brecon Beacons fueled my love of nature and thirst for adventure. If I wasn’t in school, I’d be out climbing mountains, trying new sports or exploring the countryside. This passion for the great outdoors still plays a major part in my life, whether it’s surfing in West Wales or kayaking in California, my happy place is being near, in or on the water. Big Blue combines this love for adventure, with my six years experience in events management and graphic design. One of my favourite parts of the job is hosting groups and getting to know clients – from the first email and qualifying call, to meeting them in-person on a Big Blue trip.

I first met Dan and Heleen when I was out paddleboarding in Cascais. They told me about their plans for Big Blue, and I immediately knew that I wanted to be involved. It was an opportunity to work for a company where I could combine my customer service experience with my passion for watersports. If I’m not hosting groups and coordinating trips, you’ll find me on my surfskate, catching waves or teaching others how to surf. I love being in the ocean, you can’t beat the feeling of gliding along the waves, even when I get beaten up by the big ones. I do it all with a huge smile on my face.

I’m an avid planner with itchy feet. Alongside delivering events for a range of organisations, from international charities to national governing bodies, I’ve been privileged enough to get out on some epic adventures: kayaking with orca, jumping out of planes, sailing thousands of miles and ‘sending it’ on coastal marathons. The draw of adventure has been a thread throughout my life, as has the want to share it with as many as possible. With Big Blue, I get the best of both. Each day, I get to chat and live adventure, pulling together awesome experiences for groups and then witnessing them reap the rewards in person.

As a kid, I was super energetic and curious (a great combination for any tired parent), and as a result was regularly ‘de-bounced’ through all sorts of after school sports activities. Not content with only structured activities, I would occasionally free-solo my own adventures. I still head off exploring whenever I have a chance. I am happiest on or in water, whether that’s braving a wild swim in Scottish Loch in winter or paddleboarding around the Welsh coast. I’ve done a lot of different jobs over the years but working with Big Blue combines my love of adventure and exploration with my background in communications and events management. I take a lot of pride in creating exciting and inclusive experiences for our groups, whatever the event or activity.