Who we are

NOVA is where diving transcends into mastery. It’s not just about breathing underwater; it’s about shaping confident, capable, and knowledgeable divers through precision, repetition, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Our training methodology is the core of who we are—it defines our standards, mindset, and outcomes. At NOVA, we forge explorers who are open-minded, driven by curiosity, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence. This is what sets NOVA apart: a bold approach to training that transforms individuals into exceptional divers and teammates ready to conquer any underwater challenge.

Meet the founder

Florian Symoens is a full-time instructor, trainer, and coach — someone who has built his entire life around diving. He teaches everything from beginner courses to advanced technical programs and instructor development, complemented by extensive first aid training. Outside the professional side of teaching, almost all of his free time goes back into diving as well, but in a completely different form: exploration. For Florian, exploration is the purest version of adventure — going deeper, going further, discovering and mapping new mine systems in Belgium. It’s his own way of chasing the “Indiana Jones feeling” underwater.

He first learned to dive at sixteen, but left it aside for many years until the sport pulled him back in about a decade ago. Since then it has grown into a snowball effect that still gains momentum — a feeling that this is only the beginning. Diving blends everything he loves: movement, adventure, technical complexity, and mental clarity. Water is his natural element, a place where he feels weightless, focused, and free from everything happening at the surface. That intense focus is a form of therapy for him.

Today, Florian trains mainly in environments inspired by overhead diving — mines, caves, and other complex systems that shaped his entire approach to training. His highest qualifications include deep dives on multiple rebreathers, but what matters most to him is not the collection of cards; it’s the competence, mindset, and consistency behind them. For Florian, certifications are meaningful when they represent real skill — something he strives to uphold in everything NOVA teaches and delivers.

He is especially proud of the training culture within NOVA — hands-on, critical, realistic, and built on strong fundamentals. It’s the style of training he appreciated most in his own development, and it is exactly what he now carries forward in the team.

His long-term goal is clear: to raise the global standard of dive training. Not out of criticism, but out of conviction that the professional sector can grow significantly in quality, depth, and responsibility. He aims to build a community of like-minded divers who share that same drive. Within Team NOVA, Florian focuses on the training process, educational structure, and high-quality coaching. Teaching comes naturally to him; he can lose himself in it completely, forgetting time and everything around him. That passion is fueled by exploration — and the reverse is equally true. Both elements keep him sharp, motivated, and balanced.

And what’s typically Florian? Gear that can take a beating. If he can drag it into a cave and it survives, then it’s good. His team jokes: “If it’s Florian-proof, it’s truly bomb-proof.”

AND THE TEAM

  • Yorick Van Alphen, 39, is a father and Account Executive for an international software company. Outside of work, he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, balancing his adventurous diving life with creativity and calm. 

     

    He discovered diving in 2015 while preparing for a South Africa trip to see ragged-tooth sharks. What started as a vacation requirement quickly became an obsession. Guided by Florian, Yorick embraced technical diving, cave exploration, and shipwrecks, finding joy in mastering skills and exploring new underwater worlds. 

     

    For him, diving is meditation: a chance to escape the rush of everyday life and focus fully on the underwater environment. His most memorable dives include Malta’s tugboat Rozi and his first cave exploration, experiences that capture his curiosity and love for discovery. 

     

    Certified in Cave 1 CCR, Normoxic Trimix, Rebreather, and currently an Instructor Candidate, Yorick combines technical expertise with an adventurous spirit. Within Team NOVA, he inspires others with his passion for exploration—and occasionally creates legendary stories, like arriving at a dive fully dressed in business attire, only to fall into the water. 

  • Kjento Nuytkens is a maintenance technician at a pharmaceutical company and a passionate diver. Outside work, he enjoys DIY projects and walks with his partner. 

     

    His love for diving began as a child and became a true passion when he saw friends diving in drysuits during the cold season. Kjento treasures the peace and silence underwater, as well as the opportunity to meet new people and explore different cultures through dive trips. 

     

    Certified as an Assistant Instructor, Assistant Cave Instructor, and in CCR Hypoxic Trimix, Kjento aims to become a full instructor to share his passion. Within Team NOVA, he contributes as Social Media Manager, course assistant, and technical problem-solver, combining his diving expertise with hands-on skills. 

     

    Peers describe him as helpful, practical, and safety-conscious—someone always ready to embrace new adventures and learn from every dive. 

  • Maja Music is a project manager and event organizer with a passion for diving and exploration. Born in Germany, raised in Slovenia, and now living in Belgium, she finds home both with people she cares about and underwater. 

     

    She discovered diving in 2019 in Thailand, and the moment she floated weightlessly underwater, she knew there was no turning back. Maja loves the calm, weightless sensation of diving, exploring caves, mines, and marine life, and experiencing ecosystems few get to see. Memorable dives include the Galápagos, Mexican cenotes, and her first exploratory mine dive. 

     

    Certified as a Cave Diver, Normoxic Trimix Diver, CCR Diver, and DPV, Maja is proud of her technical achievements and enjoys mentoring others, especially women, to help them build confidence and skills. Within Team NOVA, she contributes by organizing projects, fostering team dynamics, and ensuring high standards, while her dedication, humor, and adventurous spirit inspire the team. 

  • Ruben Lava is an architect by training and a freelance 3D artist, and has recently begun a career as a Diver-Bomb Disposal Officer with the Belgian Navy. Beyond professional life, they maintain an active lifestyle through fitness, running, and swimming, but their greatest passion remains diving in all its forms.

    His dive story began very early: raised by diving parents, he earned his first PADI Open Water certification at just eight years old in Egypt. That initial experience ignited a lifelong love for the underwater world, which has grown into a deep and enduring passion over the years.

    Since 2020, he has been part of a Nelos club in Deinze, developing as a diver with the support of numerous instructors, and later expanding his skills through courses with Florian — starting with sidemount and evolving into a strong foundation for technical diving.

    For him, the magic of diving lies in the unique sense of peace and control it provides: mastery over breath and body, trust in his equipment, skills, knowledge, and team. Underwater, he feels completely at home.

    His training journey has been extensive, progressing through Nelos 4* Assistant Instructor, CAVE 1 CCR, ISE Assistant Instructor, and various technical and cave specialties. His experience includes over 700 dives, covering everything from recreational and technical dives to advanced cave exploration.

    One of the most memorable moments came during CaveCamp2025 at Cabouy: a CAVE CCR dive with DPVs where his team reached the 2,000-meter marker. Seeing that milestone made all the countless hours of training and development feel real, and reinforced the pride of achieving a level he had long dreamed of — shared with a community of like-minded divers.

    Looking forward, his goals include traveling the world to explore new dive sites, with a strong focus on cave diving. Professionally, he is advancing as an instructor within NOVA and developing his military diving skills as part of the Belgian Navy. Personally, he aspires to reach the magical 100-meter depth limit in a dive.

    Within Team NOVA, he contributes primarily to the visual and creative side — managing websites, merchandise, and social media — while also assisting in courses and training to become a full instructor.

    He is recognized for his humor, photography skills in cave environments, and keen eye for design, blending creativity with technical precision. Teammates describe him as funny, adventurous, and the one who enjoys the most challenging dives.

    A distinctive trait is the white accents on his dive gear, and he is motivated by sharing his passion for diving, contributing to the community, and helping others reach their potential underwater.

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