Not so long ago we published the press releases and schedule for the 2019 BSUPA Instructor conference. Well, the bang of the drum continued as SUP instructors & BSUPA members across the country awoke from the salty slumber of winter to come together for the common good of promoting paddleboarding with BSUPA. After all, growing paddle boarding in the UK for our members is the ultimate goal at BSUPA. It’s what we set out to do and as our AGM showed that is what is being achieved.
Before we summarise what was covered, we’d like to say a big thank you to The Watersports Academy in Poole for hosting the event and of course everyone who attended and provided assistance. This includes the BSUPA Instructors, Trainers, members and guest speakers from the RNLI, AALS, Blue Fin Insurance and representative’s from Surf life Saving GB.
We had a lot to get through, but we did and even managed the necessary homage to the water for a play.
Time on the water is time well spent 
And the necessary work was dealt with too
Board room to board shorts
In short, a number of topics were covered – BSUPA infrastructure and BSUPA growth by Andy Gratwick – Simon Bassett on new BSUPA Level 2 teaching scheme – New Coaching module – New Surf Coaching module (Written by Dom Moore). The RNLI covered SUP safety by Tony Wafer.
AALS the licensing service – Tim Morton was there to explain the process of the AALA scheme and how this works with BSUPA schools. Simon Frost, BSUPA Senior trainer and from Bray Lake went through some methods for teaching and retaining youth participation.
Thanks to the Watersports Academy for hosting 
Instructor courses enjoying fine weather 
Poole Harbour paddleboarding 
Back in the office building the future
Elliot Mounsey from Blue Fin (BSUPA insurers) Insurance offered guidance and more information about reasons for being insured and exclusive BSUPA school and individual insurance extras.
Andy Tee a BSUPA instructor and school owner, Oxford Sup Club, enlightened us of his pathway from BSUPA Ready to Ride lesson to BSUPA Level 1 instructor then Level 2 and now BSUPA School and Club owner.
The afternoon was on the water – Andy Gratwick and Simon Bassett with instructor updates, revalidation and after feed back and school and instructor input to new initiatives .
AGM topics
The AGM was very well attended – topics covered were BSUPA finance – collaborations with other Association’s –including RNLI on safety; The RYA with a new WindSUP initiative; Mark Price GBSUP; Surf England, Surf GB, Glenn Elderidge and Rich Marsh Sup Surf events and the selection process for Worlds and Euros. Also the APP World Tour London Event 2019; SAS for new member initiatives to encourage picking up of plastic; SLSGB on Instructor safety and BKSA and Royal Navy AT.
New blood
BSUPA also welcomed some new board members – Andy Tee, Anni Ridsdill Smith , Dom Moore and Major Paul Gellender OBE.
And finally…
Many thanks to all the attendees and speakers – Anni Ridsdill Smith who organised the whole event – Sup International, Sup Mag, Supboarder and Ion who supplied some goodie bags .