Meet the Team

  • MIKE BOARD

    FOUNDER & ATHLETE

    Mike is an 18 x National Record holder for team Great Britain, a Molchanovs & SSI Freediving Instructor Trainer, and a former Royal Marine Commando.

    He founded Freedive Gili and our sister school Gili Yoga in 2008, after spending many years visiting the island and falling in love with the crystal clear water, beautiful reefs and amazing community.

  • VERONIKA KRUSE

    FREEDIVING INSTRUCTOR TRAINER

    Originally from Germany, Veronika packed up her bags and moved from the UK to Gili T in 2017. She did her instructor course with us here at Freedive Gili and has been teaching here ever since! Veronika started competing in pool and depth competitions in 2023, bringing home multiple medals for us to display! She is an SSI Instructor Trainer and is passionate about furthering the freediving education industry.

  • CHRIS BOTTING

    FREEDIVING INSTRUCTOR

    Chris has been with Freedive Gili for nearly seven years. After years living in Tenerife and Zanzibar teaching Scuba diving, Chris arrived on Gili T and crossed over to the bubble-free life! When he is not underneath the water with his students you can find him on the surface, shredding waves on his surfboard.

  • HARIS ANDRIAWAN

    ACCOMODATION MANAGER

    Haris is our amazing operations and accomodation manager. Growing up right here on Gili Trawangan, Haris knows everything and everyone, and can help with absolutely anything!

  • LIBBY LAWSON

    YOGA TEACHER

    Libby visited the island a few times over the years and in 2022 she forgot to book a flight home. Libby is a student and teacher of Jivamukti & ashtanga yoga, and she teaches classes at our sister school Gili Yoga. She has also been freediving for several years and you can usually find her in the pool.

  • CRISTINA CHIRITA

    YOGA + BREATHWORK FACILITATOR

    Leaving the corporate world behind, Cristina spent time living in Bali before moving to Gili Trawangan to teach at Gili Yoga. With a long history as a movement and fitness coach, she teaches yoga and breathwork most days, guiding students deeper into their body and spirit with her gentle and mindful presence.

  • HERMAN, CECEP + SABIRIN

    BOAT CAPTAINS

    Our fearless captain Herman drives our big wooden boat and our zippy speedboat. Herman, Cecep and Sabirin are always keeping watch over us and keeping us safe as we dive.

  • ANDI, ILUNG, QADAR + WIRNA

    ACCOMODATION STAFF

    Our amazing room crew look after our accomodation guests and keep everything clean and beautiful.

    RIZAL + SULA

    GARDENERS

    At Freedive Gili & Gili Yoga, we are known for our gorgeous lush green jungle. While tropical gardens are easy in Bali and Lombok, here in Gili it’s very dry and Rizal and Sula do an amazing job at cultivating such a beautiful oasis, which never stops growing! Rizal has worked with us since we were founded in 2009.