Kategorie: News
Founder of Nautic Team Gozo dies in accident
Thomas Zurawski (* 1959, † 7 April 2024), the founder of Nautic Team Gozo, tragically died in a motorbike accident near his home town of Xagħra on the island of Gozo on 7 April this year.
Thommy was born in 1959 in Katernberg (Essen). No wonder that after leaving school he chose to train as a metalworker and start his career in mining, before working with coal at the Zollverein. Just as Tommy's father and grandfather were of course miners back then, many of his friends from school and from the Katernberg colony remained loyal to the "Kingdom of Beisen". However, after the great death of the coal mines at the end of the 1960s, it was no longer a lifelong career.
For Thommy and many others, the Katernberg youth centre "Neuhof" became an important and formative time for leisure activities and actions: peace demonstrations, unemployment initiatives, seminars, trips... The peace flag fluttered visibly on the colliery tower for the Easter march (naturally put up there by Thommy, together with other activists). The motto: solidarity, peace, love.
In the second half of the 70s, some people in Katernberg got together to form a flat-sharing community. Those who lived in the house were, how could it be otherwise, affected by severe mining damage. The community of young adult flatmates consisted of the children of Katernberg's last miners and symbolised the end of the "old culture" of the mining district.
However, it was logical for Tommy's biographical development that his exit from the world of mining and Ruhr coal took place at a colliery: The Carl colliery. Closed down and forgotten for a long time, occupied - he fought and was instrumental in its rebirth as a youth and cultural centre in the north of Essen.
He recognised his love and enthusiasm for water early in his life. As often as he could, he descended into this new world - full of life and tranquillity. Countless hours of overtime enabled him to spend several weeks a year at a diving centre in Malta, where he later worked as a diving instructor, teaching other people the fascination of diving.
It was at this diving centre that he met his Heike in 1990 - while diving in Malta - how could it be otherwise? Diving and the dream of his own diving school...... Without further ado, Heike gave up everything to realise this dream together with Thomas.
Thomas, as co-founder and employee of the "Zentrum Zeche Carl", dared to say goodbye and at the same time set off into a new world.
They travelled to several countries within Europe, but they were always drawn back to Malta - to Gozo. Back then, Malta was not yet Europe and it was very complicated for foreigners to gain a foothold there. The couple faced an incredible number of obstacles and prejudices. Thomas fought. He was always convinced that together they could "do anything"
By the end of 1993/1994, he had made it - Nautic Team Gozo was the first company in Malta to be owned 100% by "foreigners". It was a rocky road that was ultimately crowned with success!
It was recognised that this man from Germany is a colleague, a buddy, a human being - who fights for the future of the island and diving tourism and is instrumental in raising awareness for Gozo/Malta in the industry.
"Only together" can we all be strong - pull together - jump over our own shadow - always give another chance - these were and certainly ARE always Thomas' approaches. Thomas is a role model - also because he never took the easy way out.
He contributed significantly to the fact that diving in Malta and Gozo gained importance and is now one of the best diving destinations worldwide.
We mourn the loss of Thomas Zurawski and wish Heike much strength during this difficult time. Rest in peace and wonderful dives on the 'other side'. The editors of Taucher.Net.
An addition from Laura and Gregor who took over the Nautic Team dive centre from Heike and Thomas 2 years ago:
When we took over the dive centre in 2022, it was not a normal company sale as you might otherwise know it. We took over the dive centre as a family - we couldn't have imagined it any other way. The death of Thomas is an immeasurable loss for us - both professionally and personally. We bear the great responsibility of being able to successfully continue 30 years of life's work.