{"id":311,"date":"2017-09-29T11:03:44","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T11:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/waterlovefoundation.com\/?page_id=311"},"modified":"2018-05-27T17:41:25","modified_gmt":"2018-05-27T17:41:25","slug":"who-we-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/who-we-are\/","title":{"rendered":"Who we are"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1506963680822{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1506709304902{margin-top: -55px !important;}”][vc_images_carousel images=”722,725,728,731,737″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_no” speed=”2500″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1527437185862{margin-top: -45px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”flipInX” el_id=”history”][vc_column el_id=”history”][vc_cta h2=”History” h2_font_container=”font_size:40″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1506968252369{margin-top: -55px !important;}”][\/vc_cta][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”white” spacing=”1″ c_icon=”triangle” active_section=”8″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1507634808751{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”The discovery” tab_id=”la-rencontre”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]In 1993 and 199<\/strong>5, 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<\/strong>. \u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”A vision” tab_id=”une-vision”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]Ever since then, Jeff knew he would one day create a sustainable project on this \u201cunspoilt Caribbean island<\/strong>\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dominica remains the \u201cforgotten\u201d 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\u2019s Head. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The perfect place for such a sustainable project” tab_id=”1506966877108-3a491e34-71d4″][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]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. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Preparation ” tab_id=”preparation”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]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\u2019s community and inhabitants of Scott\u2019s Head Soufriere, as well as the local authorities. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The supports” tab_id=”soutien-au-projet”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]The Scott\u2019s Head Soufriere Fishermen\u2019s folk cooperative, the villagers, the village council, the local parliamentary representative, the Local Area Management Authority (LAMA), the Soufriere Scott\u2019s 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. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Launching Freediving Dominica” tab_id=”1506966877171-4870fc11-b5bc”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]In 2016, the project has obtained the support and approval of all concerned parties. Working hand in hand with the local fishermen\u2019s community and authorities, Freediving Dominica is officially launched with the building and the opening of the school at Scott\u2019s Head Beach. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The creation of the Water Love Foundation” tab_id=”1506966877199-ee2f4df1-06e4″][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]Simultaneously in 2016, the Water Love Foundation is created to support and further Freediving Dominica\u2019s actions promoting the sustainable development of the fishermen\u2019s community of Scott\u2019s Head Soufriere. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The transformation after the hurricane” tab_id=”1506966877228-85cd706b-915b”][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white”]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\u2019s Head when Hurricane Maria struck. <\/span><\/p>\n

Following the total destruction of the fishermen\u2019s 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

We opened a crisis room in Montpellier, headquarters of Oc\u00e9anide, to redraw and organise the mission including the roles of the volunteers, to best help the fishermen in Scott\u2019s Head. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”flipInX” el_id=”team”][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”The team” h2_font_container=”font_size:40″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” el_id=”team”][\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:50″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1508147353858{margin-top: -55px !important;}”]The Water Love Foundation was created in 2016<\/strong> in the commonwealth of Dominica by Jeff Coulais<\/strong> and Audrey<\/strong> Palma<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Water Love Foundation gathers many professionals volunteering<\/strong> with a wealth of skills, all sea lovers, surfers, divers, freedivers or oceanographers. <\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1507140260807{margin-top: -15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_hoverbox image=”944″ primary_title=”Audrey Palma” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527441839847{margin-top: 0px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Co-founder & Head of Project<\/span><\/pre>\n
[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”538″ primary_title=”Jeff Coulais” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527442281670{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Co-founder & Technical Officer<\/span><\/pre>\n
[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”425″ primary_title=”Pattison Tavernier” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” align=”right” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527441672545{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Local volunteer<\/pre>\n
Hiking Guide & Talented Carpenter<\/span>[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”544″ primary_title=”Mathieu Vasseur” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” align=”left” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527441698182{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Volunteer 2016<\/pre>\n
Freediver & artisan[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”553″ primary_title=”Anouk Halter” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527441709050{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Volunteer 2017<\/pre>\n
[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527442240553{margin-top: 10px !important;}”]After 10 years as a professional in international surveys<\/strong>, Audrey discovers freediving<\/strong> in 2012. It is a revelation<\/strong>. In 2014 she wins the Coupe de France in static apnea, becomes President and administrative director of Oc\u00e9anide. In 2015 she takes part in the AIDA World<\/strong> Championships<\/strong>. In 2016, with Jeff Coulais, she creates the Water Love Foundation to promote the values and actions she believes in<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX”]Pioneer of freediving<\/strong> in Europe, world record<\/strong> holder in dynamic apnea (1997), Jeff Coulais was\u00a0<\/span>part of the first boards of AIDA.\u00a0<\/span>He is a graduated sports’ instructor in diving, freediving and surf.\u00a0<\/span>In 1995, he founded Oc\u00e9anide, freediving, surf & yoga, in order to share his passion and spread the values that matter to him: sport, culture, ecology<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n
In 2016, with Audrey Palma, Jeff launched the Freediving Dominica\u2019s project and created Water Love. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527442591787{margin-top: -16px !important;}”]Pattison Tavernier is from Scott\u2019s Head and probably one of Dominica\u2019s best hiking guides.<\/strong> He is a gifted, multi-talented<\/strong> 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<\/strong> Dominica.\u00a0 He is also in charge of the daily lending of gear to the fishermen and village children. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527442535177{margin-top: 10px !important;}”]Mathieu Vasseur is a freediver<\/strong> at\u00a0Oc\u00e9anide as well as a talented French artisan.<\/strong> He was part of the first<\/strong> wave<\/strong> of volunteers<\/strong> who helped to launch the project in Dominica. He took a major role in the construction<\/strong> 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, \u201cMathew\u201d and adopted him very quickly. <\/span>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527442577019{margin-top: 10px !important;}”]Anouk Halter lives in Switzerland where she is a healthcare professional<\/strong> 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<\/strong> opened immediately after Hurricane Maria. She contributes to the project as an editor and logistics expert<\/strong>.<\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”flipInX”][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Former colaborators” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1509043307830{margin-top: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1507140260807{margin-top: -15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_hoverbox image=”547″ primary_title=”Aurora Garriga” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” align=”right” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1527442633177{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Volunteer - September 20th to October 20th 2017<\/pre>\n
Freediver, web designer, event planner & social media editor[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”550″ primary_title=”Pierre Leus” primary_align=”left” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” hover_background_color=”white” align=”left” hover_btn_title=”Portfolio” hover_btn_style=”outline” hover_btn_shape=”square” hover_btn_color=”primary” hover_btn_size=”xs” hover_btn_align=”center” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true” hover_add_button=”true” hover_btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pierreleus.com|||” css=”.vc_custom_1527442801890{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Volunteer - September 20th to October 20th 2017<\/pre>\n
Freediver, artist, graphic designer & photographer[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527443038166{margin-top: 10px !important;}”]Aurora Garriga was a\u00a0high level\u00a0<\/strong>synchronized<\/strong> swimmer<\/strong>\u00a0for years. She is also a freediver. Perfectly attuned to Freediving Dominica\u2019s goals, she applied to join at the beginning of 2017, hoping to complement the team as a logistic\u00a0coordinator<\/strong>, and social medias’<\/strong> 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.<\/span>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” css_animation=”flipInX” css=”.vc_custom_1527442834915{margin-top: -16px !important;}”]Pierre is a talented visual artist<\/strong> and painter<\/strong>, who loves the sea. Besides his own creations, he collaborates with several international brands. He is a spearfisher<\/strong>, freediver<\/strong> and underwater rugby<\/strong> 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.<\/span>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”flipInX”][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Other colaborators” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1506968332005{margin-top: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1506945800157{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_hoverbox image=”856″ primary_title=”Attila Cheyssial” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true”]Urbanist Architect & Sociologist[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_hoverbox image=”855″ primary_title=”Xavier Leus” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true”]WHO Doctor<\/p>\n
World Health Organization<\/pre>\n
[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_hoverbox image=”247″ primary_title=”Phil Hoad” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true”]Journalist & Translator[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_hoverbox image=”247″ primary_title=”Join us” primary_title_font_container=”font_size:30|color:%23ffffff” primary_title_use_theme_fonts=”yes” hover_title=”” shape=”square” css_animation=”flipInX” use_custom_fonts_primary_title=”true”]Volunteer![\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1506963680822{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1506709304902{margin-top: -55px !important;}”][vc_images_carousel images=”722,725,728,731,737″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_no” speed=”2500″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1527437185862{margin-top: -45px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”flipInX” el_id=”history”][vc_column el_id=”history”][vc_cta h2=”History” h2_font_container=”font_size:40″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” shape=”square” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1506968252369{margin-top: -55px !important;}”][\/vc_cta][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”white” spacing=”1″ c_icon=”triangle” active_section=”8″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1507634808751{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”The discovery” tab_id=”la-rencontre”][vc_cta h2=”” h2_font_container=”font_size:20″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”white” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]In 1993 and 1995, Jeff Coulais organises several […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-311","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/311\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jurus.net\/waterlovefoundation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}