Jean-Pierre Kafoe originates from Tilburg in The Netherlands and has been a Koh Phangan regular for the past sixteen years. He first discovered Haad Yuan beach in 2000 after renting a sail boat from Koh Samui.
As he sailed around the rocky headland of Haad Rin, he spotted a beautiful, almost deserted beach and decided to drop anchor.
He swam to shore and discovered a bay that housed the original Bamboo Hut, run by Mr T. There was nothing else there. This was, of course Haad Yuan beach.
He was met with such a warm reception that he ended up staying for three weeks. From that point on, he returned two or three times every year, feeling strongly that this was now his second home.
He stayed at Barcelona Resort for many years, becoming good friends with Pi Man and the Burmese and Thai boat boys, with Sonny as his best mate.
He came to know and understand their culture and customs and always felt a strong connection with the beach and its people. He made good friends on the beach and during those years met many visitors to what is now considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.
Eventually an opportunity arose for him to consider. About to retire, he found himself in a position to take over Ocean Rock Resort.
Originally a friend of his agreed to go into partnership with him but dropped out at the last moment. Jean-Pierre decided to go it alone and in October 2014 he began the momentous task of building a business that was practically unknown in Koh Phangan at that point.
Now Ocean Rock is thriving and the Happy Sunday Party has become one of the most popular on the island. When the chance came, in 2015, to also take over Good Hope, the resort next door to Ocean Rock, he began to imagine the possibilities.
The concept of Engage began to take shape and the rest, as they say, shall be history.
First lessons are free of charge.
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