Who we are

History

In 1993 and 1995, Jeff Coulais organises several surf & freediving training camps in the Caribbean, most notably in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). This is how he first discovers the island of Dominica.  

Ever since then, Jeff knew he would one day create a sustainable project on this “unspoilt Caribbean island”.

Dominica remains the “forgotten” island of the region, with no heavy industry or mass tourism, offering great prospects to visitors: hiking in lush jungle, 365 rivers, hot sulphur springs, surfing spots on the Atlantic side, vibrant underwater life along with a beautiful, deep sheltered bay, ideal for freediving, in the marine reserve of Soufriere Scott’s Head.

Because of its relatively small size (750 km2) and enclosed nature, its low density, unique history, the open-minded mentality of its inhabitants, along with their pride in their island, as well as the commitment of the local authorities to support and encourage sustainable activities, Dominica is perfectly equipped to host a pilot community-oriented sustainable-development project.

For 25 years, Jeff runs numerous sport, ecology and culture-centered projects in his country, until in 2015 he decides that the time has come to start one in Dominica. In partnership with Audrey Palma, they outline the mission parameters and build the Freediving Dominica project in association with the fishermen’s community and inhabitants of Scott’s Head Soufriere, as well as the local authorities.

The Scott’s Head Soufriere Fishermen’s folk cooperative, the villagers, the village council, the local parliamentary representative, the Local Area Management Authority (LAMA), the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve board (SSMR), the Dominican Watersports Association (DWA), the fisheries ministry, the tourism ministry and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), and the French Alliance embrace the project, and show their support and commitment.

In 2016, the project has obtained the support and approval of all concerned parties. Working hand in hand with the local fishermen’s community and authorities, Freediving Dominica is officially launched with the building and the opening of the school at Scott’s Head Beach.

Simultaneously in 2016, the Water Love Foundation is created to support and further Freediving Dominica’s actions promoting the sustainable development of the fishermen’s community of Scott’s Head Soufriere.

Freediving Dominica, under the auspices of Water Love Foundation, was ready to begin a new season of the community project in October. The team of volunteers had been assembled, and all members were ready to start their mission in Scott’s Head when Hurricane Maria struck.

Following the total destruction of the fishermen’s quarter, including the disappearance of the Freediving Dominica school, and the heavy damage to the whole area, each member of the team expressed a desire to stay committed to the project. But the huge scale of the catastrophe has obviously forced a rethink of the foundation’s key priorities.

We opened a crisis room in Montpellier, headquarters of Océanide, to redraw and organise the mission including the roles of the volunteers, to best help the fishermen in Scott’s Head.

The team

The Water Love Foundation was created in 2016 in the commonwealth of Dominica by Jeff Coulais and Audrey Palma.

The Water Love Foundation gathers many professionals volunteering with a wealth of skills, all sea lovers, surfers, divers, freedivers or oceanographers.

100% of these volunteers are committed to the Foundation exclusively pro bono. They all pay their own plane tickets and transportation on their private money to join the team and take part in the adventure.

Audrey Palma

Co-founder & Head of Project

Jeff Coulais

Co-founder & Technical Officer

Pattison Tavernier

Local volunteer

Hiking Guide & Talented Carpenter

Mathieu Vasseur

Volunteer 2016

Freediver & artisan

Anouk Halter

Volunteer 2017

After 10 years as a professional in international surveys, Audrey discovers freediving in 2012. It is a revelation. In 2014 she wins the Coupe de France in static apnea, becomes President and administrative director of Océanide. In 2015 she takes part in the AIDA World Championships. In 2016, with Jeff Coulais, she creates the Water Love Foundation to promote the values and actions she believes in

Pioneer of freediving in Europe, world record holder in dynamic apnea (1997), Jeff Coulais was part of the first boards of AIDA. He is a graduated sports’ instructor in diving, freediving and surf. In 1995, he founded Océanide, freediving, surf & yoga, in order to share his passion and spread the values that matter to him: sport, culture, ecology.

In 2016, with Audrey Palma, Jeff launched the Freediving Dominica’s project and created Water Love.

Pattison Tavernier is from Scott’s Head and probably one of Dominica’s best hiking guides. He is a gifted, multi-talented worker and has been involved in the project from the very beginning: he oversaw the building site, where French and Dominican volunteers worked together. Pattison knows a lot about house-building and cooking, but his real job and passion is to help tourists to discover Dominica.  He is also in charge of the daily lending of gear to the fishermen and village children.

Mathieu Vasseur is a freediver at Océanide as well as a talented French artisan. He was part of the first wave of volunteers who helped to launch the project in Dominica. He took a major role in the construction of the school’s beach hut and helped in the first aid, lifesaving and swimming training of youth, nature-reserve wardens and local children. The whole village nicknamed him, English-style, “Mathew” and adopted him very quickly.

Anouk Halter lives in Switzerland where she is a healthcare professional working with senior citizens, following a career in cinema as an assistant director. She is also a certified energy therapist. She joined the Water Love team when the crisis room opened immediately after Hurricane Maria. She contributes to the project as an editor and logistics expert.

Former colaborators

Aurora Garriga

Volunteer - September 20th to October 20th 2017

Freediver, web designer, event planner & social media editor

Pierre Leus

Volunteer - September 20th to October 20th 2017

Freediver, artist, graphic designer & photographer

Aurora Garriga was a high level synchronized swimmer for years. She is also a freediver. Perfectly attuned to Freediving Dominica’s goals, she applied to join at the beginning of 2017, hoping to complement the team as a logistic coordinator, and social medias’ specialist. She was about to fly to the Caribbean to freedive and contribute to the project when Hurricane Maria struck. But her commitment was unwavering, and she helped the team redefine new mission priorities.

Pierre is a talented visual artist and painter, who loves the sea. Besides his own creations, he collaborates with several international brands. He is a spearfisher, freediver and underwater rugby player. Searching for the best way to combine freedive, travel and a sense of commitment to a cause, he sent his application to Freediving Dominica early 2017, wishing to collaborate by offering his many talents. When Hurricane Maria hit the island, he immediately decided to stay in the project.

Other colaborators

Attila Cheyssial

Urbanist Architect & Sociologist

Xavier Leus

WHO Doctor

World Health Organization

Phil Hoad

Journalist & Translator

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