The Trailblazer

Name: Jelmer de Mare.

Position: Guide.

Place and date of birth: Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1st April 1996.

Hometown: Houten, The Netherlands.

Star sign: Aries.

Education: Bachelor in Tourism Management. Naturalist Course (MERS) Captain License <12m Canada (SVOP). Marine Basic First Aid. STCW courses: Basic Safety Training and Crowd- and Crisis Management.

Languages: Dutch, English, German, some French & Spanish.

Experience: Two seasons as skipper & guide on whale watching & grizzly bear tours in Canada. Also worked one season as a northern light guide in the Yukon, Canada. One season as a whale watching guide in Norway. Started guiding for Gentle Giants in 2026.

Interests: Travel, Hiking, Running, Swimming, Photography.

Favourite Icelandic food: Liquorice & chocolate candies.

Favourite foreign food: Tacos.

Favourite band / singer: Hers, LEISURE, Tame Impala. Also into disco, afrohouse & hiphop.