Introducing ASI SUP Instructor: Simon Palmer, Yorkshire UK

UK. ENGLAND.  Simon Palmer is an ASI SUP instructor and owner of the Adventure activity centre, SUP Adventures offering SUP instruction and guided tours across a variety of waterways in the gorgeous North York Moors region of the UK.

We caught up with Simon to find out more about how he got there:

Hi Simon; tell us a bit about your background

“I’ve been surfing since I was 13, I’m now 59. I started in Cape Town, South Africa and have surfed waves in several oceans. I now surf and SUP surf in the North Sea; cold, cold, cold! I Wrote a book about the surfing history of this area, called Don’t Jump off the Pier.”

How did you get started in paddleboarding?

“I’d snapped a shoulder tendon while snowboarding and while recovering from surgery was desperate to get back into the sea, so tried SUP. Seven years later, through my company, SUP Adventures, we have taught over 1500 people how to SUP in rivers, lakes and the sea.”

Why did you become an ASI qualified SUP instructor?

“I already had an outdoor activities business so it seemed like a natural progression to instruct something I love.”

What are you doing right now?

“I am on the ASI SUP Technical Coaching Course  (March 2021) and loving it. It is great to really understand the biomechanics on how to paddle efficiently and, as importantly, how to avoid injury. There is a lot of bad advice out there. I’m keen to ensure that at SUP Adventures we are identified as the go-to people for safe, informative and fun paddling experiences.”

What do you love about being an ASI SUP instructor?

“Apart from the excellent training pathways and progressive session structures, you can obtain a licence to teach anywhere in the world and be considered competent and professional through your ASI membership.”

Has COVID and related restrictions changed how you operate?

“Not really. The rules relaxed sufficiently in 2020 for us to teach SUP to our normal ratios by taking sensible COVID precautions. The upside is that more people want to be outdoors and holiday in the UK, so we have seen a real upsurge in the numbers coming to us. I can only see more activity in 2021 as we relax the restrictions, have more people vaccinated and with travelling abroad being an uncertain option.”

Can you tell us about any memorable stories or situations that have happened whilst instructing?

“I love hearing the screams of teachers when their pupils rally round to pitch them off their boards. The big dog that jumped on my board from the bank and hurled me into the air. Me filming a Facebook post about SUP Adventures and unknowingly my wife coming around the back of my board and slowly rolling off the front of her board into the water as she lost balance – all caught on film - a real ‘You’ve been framed moment’.

“The greatest pleasure is guiding people who may be anxious or lack confidence in the water environment or themselves perhaps, and through gentle instruction get to stand up, paddle confidently and leave a more confident and empowered person as a result of the experience.”

Thanks so much for taking the time to give us some insight into your SUP life and recent experiences, Simon. We wish you all the positive paddling as you ride into 2021!

If you fancy becoming an ASI SUP instructor like Simon then click here to find out how to get started and make your dream job a reality!

 

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About ASI
ASI is a professional membership and training organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.

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