Andreas W. Matthes
Cave and Wreck Explorer – World Citizen
Playa del Carmen - Q.Roo - Mexico
After going through cave and technical diver training in 1995 new doors where opened and with the newly chosen home of Mexico the stage was set for a intense period of cave exploration that eventually set the stage for his quest to explore where exploration took him, around the world he so much loves. During the years of exploration it became apparent how much beauty was to be found in the darkest reaches, how fragile environments are and how much negative impact humans can have on a very fragile environment which is at times very hostile, but a heaven for the tiniest creatures.
While Matt has been taken under the wings of some of the most awesome cave and technical divers initially, Matt was participating in the Nohoch Nachich 1996, 1997, 1998 cave expeditions, National Geographic sponsored Wakulla II 1998, 1999 cave expedition, Blue Hole of Belize 1995, 1997 cave expedition, Solomon Island 1999 deep wreck and cave expedition, Lake Superior 1998 deep wreck project. Matt initiated a 5 year push in the deep caves around Merida - Yucatan beginning in 1997 with the survey of a dozen caves and organized the Yucatan 2000 deep cave expedition, Bacalar 2001 sinkhole and cave expedition. Matt participated as well in the 2002 National Geographic sponsored Ring Cenotes expedition, initiated the 2003 local Speleo survey project to promote cave survey and conservation among local cave divers and invite them to learn how to explore and survey caves. In 2004 he participated in the movie the Cave as a stunt double and diving safety officer, the BBC Planet Earth production 2005 in the Cenote leg of the show. Recently he participated in the Tanzania 2006 Coelacanth expedition as well as organizing and initiating the ongoing long term Sardinia 2006 wreck and cave survey project which aims to catalog all known and unknown caves and wreck on and around the island of Sardinia.
The collaboration with scientist during projects was developed in a very early stage and has never been abandoned. Matt realized that through his unique set of skills he could become the ears, arms and eyes of scientist who could not go to the places he could go. His greatest satisfaction is to participate in the accumulation of knowledge that serves a greater purpose, the better understanding of our beautiful and fragile world.
During his years of cave exploration he published and helped to publish cave maps from the cave systems of Chak Mol, Xibalba, Chacdzinikche, Cankirixche, Utzil, Sabak Ha and ohers in the Merida area. Matt has published over 30 articles in 4 countries including the Mexico, U.S.A., Germany and Brazil. Matt authored two manuals used in cave diver training, has published a few underwater photos and appeared on TV a number of times locally as well as internationally in shows such as the National Geographic Explorers and the Searchers.
Matt is using his love for the unknown to teach divers from all walks of life and nationalities to find their own door, to open up into a new world of the unknown filled with wonders and marvels, around the world. In order to have the logistical support needed to organize and conduct long term projects and expeditions Matt started to build up a network of dive shops around the planet close to potential long term exploration sites.
A number of presentations and lectures in Mexico, Germany and U.S. where given by Matt during official governmental events, non profit events as well as privately sponsored events. Matt is a member of the Explorers Club as well as the recipient of a number of awards including cave diving awards such as the Wakulla gold award and the international safe cave diving award.
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