;){kind=logo}
My name is Pieter van Niekerk and I am a wanderer.
Currently, I am a Paramedic, sailor, and dive instructor. I live in Abu Dhabi, UAE with my wife and daughter, and spend as much time as possible exploring the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and the land they surround.
Growing up in South Africa, I was fortunate to have family and friends who told me stories of living in South West Africa (now Namibia), Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and exploring the world as part of normal life. I emigrated to the USA with my parents and sisters when I was 12 years old, and like many who leave the country of their birth, have a strong case of wanderlust.
This website is a way for me to combine my passions and share them with others. Have a look around and join me as I Sail, Dive and Explore the world!
Sailing
Growing up in the middle of the country, far away from the coast, I vividly remember seeing the ocean for the first time as my parents drove us toward the coast to visit family in Cape Town, South Africa. From that first experience, I knew I wanted to explore the ocean and read anything I could get my hands on. When I was about 12, I discovered a copy of Dove by Robin Graham and fell in love with sailing! Never mind the fact that I lived about as far from the ocean as I possibly could and sailing opportunities were non-existent.
Fast forward a few years (ok almost 25 years) and a radio contest presented an awesome opportunity to sail on Azzam, the Abu Dhabi Volvo Ocean Race Yacht! As soon as the boat leaned over as the sails filled, I was hooked! Read more about that experience here. Around the same time, Pindar Sailing moved their 2 Volvo 60 Yachts to Abu Dhabi and I started sailing with them.
Over the next 3 years, under the tutelage of Philippe Falle, Stuart Jackson (both accomplished round-the-world sailors) and others, I logged thousands of miles and completed several RYA and STCW courses to become a commercially endorsed RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore.
I think I am one of the few amateur sailors who has sailed almost exclusively on Volvo Ocean Racing Yachts!
Diving
As much as I love exploring the oceans by sail, it would be wasted if I couldn’t see what was going on beneath the surface!
For my daughter, Izzy’s 11th birthday we completed our PADI Open Water Diver certification with Al Mahara Diving Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I will never forget how her nervous smile turned to awe and excitement moments minutes after our first descent! “Mind Blown” became our most used underwater signal!
I quickly became addicted to diving and quickly progressed through the PADI levels. In the summer of 2018 completed the PADI Divemaster Course and became a #PADIPro. Leading divers and sharing my love for the ocean became an obsession. Kathleen Russel, the PADI Course Director at Al Mahara, quickly convinced me to complete the PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course). In October of 2018, shortly after celebrating my 100th dive, I became a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
I look forward to exploring more of the amazing underwater world and introducing others to the amazing experience of SCUBA diving. Live vicariously by reading my dive logs, learn about dive sites I’ve visited, or better yet – Learn to dive with me!
Exploring
My wanderlust started at an early age. I love reading about explorers and adventures, but mostly, I want to be able to experience the world for my self. I want to sail to faraway places, dive unspoiled reefs, and explore the world by any means!
While growing up in Africa, I was able to see beautiful sights and experience some amazing things. I’ve fallen asleep under stars so bright, they cast a shadow in the desert, saw lions, cheetahs, leopards on the hunt and so much more in the national parks of southern Africa.
I’ve explored the desert, mountains, and oceans in the Middle East by foot, boat, and 4×4.
One of my favorite trips was a self-drive safari covering South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. We camped in places where we were the only people for hundreds of miles. Sunsets on river banks with grunting hippos meters away. Falling asleep to lions calling and the sounds of the African bush.
Read more about my experiences exploring the world and join me on one of my next adventures.