BSUPA First Instructors Course
Held at X-train, West Wittering on March 22nd and 23rd, the UKs first SUP instructors course was headed up by Simon Bassett BSUPA head coach, Andy Gratwick expert Instructor Trainer and BKSA head Coach, Chris Rea Cornish Surf school owner and Lifeguard trainer and BSUPA chairman Matt Argyle. The coaching team have spent the last eight months putting together the scheme which has been from scratch. To make this work we also had to find and negotiate a new insurance policy for BSUPA, create an instructors manual, certificates and develope the next phase of the scheme the surf section which will follow later this season.
We had a few no shows at the last minute but Jock Patterson BSUPA 2009 SUP champion, Bobby Thatcher ex Olympic rower and new SUP school owner, Pete Stevens from West Country Watersports, Bobby Cooper BSUPA ladies number 2 and X-trian coach, Chris Bull Ocean Addiction Hayling island and BKSA trainer, Andre Shoreland from Torquay kitesurf windsurf SUP school, Wendy Mcgee Turbulance BSUPA Ladies number three, Kirk Lee a Lifeguard trainer from Brighton and Antony Mckellar Crantock bay surf school and ex UK bobslegh team - all came to learn to become BSUPA SUP instructors.
The weather was against us from the the start, rain, poor visibility and on shore force 5 to 6 made it a little harder but over the 2 days everyone worked through the on water and beach demos, the classroom lectures, the session plans, the group control methods and the full course delivery.
Simon Bassett
We had a tough time getting the BSUPA coaching course of the ground – my goal was to create a professional and safe teaching platform for SUP in the UK, with Andy who is a expert in teaching instructors and the BKSA head coach. Chris Rea who has a wealth of knowledge in surf and life Guarding and Matt who worked with me to format the instructors manual made the whole project possible. What was great about the instructors course was we all learnt a lot from each other as everyone brought something new to the SUP teaching table.
Bobby Thatcher - The Source London - www.thesourcelondon.com -
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The course was informative but also a lot of fun. There was a really positive group dynamic and it was great to meet new like minded people.
Peter Stevens - West Country Watersports - 01872-275342
For me the first BSUPA instructors course was a major piece of the puzzle that sees SUP take a major leap forward in credibility. Having enjoyed, participated and introduced people to SUP over the last few years, the course reinforces BSUPA in its role as the recognized NGB and more importantly it helps SUP to stand on its own with a unique identity as a sport in its own right. Regarding the course -The content and presentation of the Instructors ticket is It was professional and comprehensive in all the relevant areas that it covered - Technique - Course syllabus, Communication, Health and safety, and a structure for future career development in SUP. I am very pleased to have this professional qualification and certainly regard it as a good investment to take my SUP involvement forward.
Jock Patterson - Tribal Wave - 07827 778914
I have been teaching for the last two years and have found the BSUPA instructors course really useful and it made me realise theat teaching the sport in flat water and in surf you need to pay a lot of attention to the safety of the students. The instructors course gave me a real insight into group control, safety methods and highlighted the importance of having a structured framework to teach in.
If you would like to find out more about this course please contact Simon Bassett or any of the guys above for feedback about the experience.
Adventure Activities Licencing Service - Teaching under 18s
We are pleased to be to be working with AALS to create a safety policy for teaching under 18s BSUPA Sup courses. Marcus Baillie has tasked Jeremy Waite to work with us and other watersport providers so we can create a best practice guidance for BSUPA instructors and schools.
Upcoming dates:
26 27 APRIL X-Train WEST WITTERING - £199.00 booking contact Simon Bassett 0774 775 8883
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4-5 May X-Train WEST WITTERING - £199.00 booking contact Simon Bassett 0774 775 8883 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TBA Easy Riders POOLE –Dorset - £199.00 bookings contact Andy Gratwick 07980577893
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TBA Harlyn Surf School Harlyn Bay- Cornwall-£199 contact Chris Rea 07980658371 chris@harlynsurfschool.
