Introducing ASI Surf Instructor, Dominika Hornikova, Australia

AUSTRALIA. Meet ASI Surf Instructor, Dominika Hornikova in Australia

Dominika discovered her love for surfing after a girls trip to Fuerteventura and got her first surf instructing job in California in 2016. She has since been travelling around teaching surfing in various different countries.

We asked her some questions to find out more…

What is your background?
Hi everyone. I was born and raised in Slovakia. I started travelling when I was 19, when I got an opportunity to work in Egypt. Growing up in the city I fell in love with the tropical destination and decided to seek summer working opportunities in such places. 

What got you involved in the sport?
Few girls invited me for a surf trip to Fuerteventura after working in Mallorca that summer. We met at the airport, 4 chicks, rented a car (which became our house for the next few days), no plan, just explore, rent some foamies and go surfing. We tried to self teach ourselves and got pretty smashed, plus I was super scared of even a 1ft wave breaking on the shore. That was my first ocean and waves experience and I got instantly hooked. 

Why did you become an ASI instructor?
I went to California for summer 2016. Arriving broke but having good friends allowed me to stay on my friend's couch for a few weeks. In exchange for free accommodation I taught my friend how to surf and later got a job as a surf instructor in a local surf school. Shoutout to Jeff the legend from Surfari in Mission Beach for a job offer.

What are you doing now?
I am currently living in Australia working as an assistant manager in a surf shop and occasionally do some lessons too. I am heading to Perisher for a winter season next week though and maybe do some cold feet surfing in southern Australia as well. 

What do you like about being an ASI instructor?
Being an ASI instructor is an awesome gig. Knowing you can pretty much get a job anywhere in the world where the waves are present is just great. It never really feels like a job either, it's a very rewarding feeling helping people push their surfing to the next level, overcoming their fears and getting them stoked. 

Tell us about funny or interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?
I love encouraging my students. In particular when they finally paddle out to the line up and are about to take off on their first proper green wave. I get them hyped to go for it but sometimes, they do some good old cartwheels and pin drops off the lip which is always pretty funny. 

A huge thank you to Dominika for taking the time to give us some insight into life as a Surf Instructor. 
If you fancy becoming an ASI Surf Instructor like Dominika then click here to find out how to get started and make your dream job a reality!

Photo Credit: @thesaltylineup