17 Years Beneath the Surface — A Journey of Mindset, Discipline, and Light

My name is Mikkel Wiki, I'm based in Denmark, where my diving journey began 17 years ago with a simple try dive. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong passion that has taken me all over the world.
Today, I don't see myself only as a dive instructor — I see myself as an educator.

For me, diving is about more than mastering skills. My teaching philosophy is built on rational thinking, independence, and calmness.
These qualities are essential underwater, but they're just as important in life above the surface.
I encourage my students to think critically, solve problems, and take responsibility for their decisions — helping them grow not only as divers, but as confident and self-reliant individuals.

What Got Me Into Diving

My first encounter with diving was a try dive in Egypt. The moment I entered the water and saw the underwater world waiting to be explored, I knew I was hooked. That single dive changed everything.

My Diving Journey

After earning my first certifications, I began traveling and diving regularly with my father. Those early experiences shaped my foundation and deepened my connection to the ocean.

Before long, I realized I wanted to teach diving professionally.

In 2015, I moved to Malta to work full-time as a dive instructor. It was there that I was first introduced to technical diving — a turning point in my journey.
Technical diving opened a new world of discipline, planning, and mindset, and it’s a path I continue to explore with great passion today.

Favorite Type of Diving

Deep technical diving is where I feel most at home. These dives challenge me both mentally and physically and demand complete focus, control, and respect for the environment.

There's a unique sense of peace in going deep — knowing that you're relying on your training, your equipment, and your mindset.

Future Plans

In the near future, I plan to begin cave diving — an environment that requires an even higher level of awareness, discipline, and teamwork.

I'm also in the early stages of planning a world record attempt for the longest cold-water dive. It's an ambitious challenge, but one that truly excites me.

How OrcaTorch Supports My Diving

The OrcaTorch D630 V2.0 has become an essential part of my setup. Its flexibility allows it to work perfectly in both backmount and sidemount configurations — which is ideal, as I dive with both.

Whether I'm doing deep technical dives, wreck penetration, or operating in dark overhead environments, it delivers powerful, reliable light when I need it most.
It's not just a tool — it's a piece of equipment I trust completely.

Lessons for the Diving Community

Stay curious, but never skip the basics. Skills like buoyancy, situational awareness, and communication form the foundation of every safe and enjoyable dive — no matter how experienced you are.

And most importantly: never stop learning. The more you grow, the more the underwater world opens up.

What Keeps Me Diving

It's the balance between challenge, peace, and curiosity. Diving keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me that there is always more to explore — not only in the ocean, but within ourselves.