Introducing ASI L4 Master Surfing Coach, Ian Warwick, Cornwall, UK
Posted: 27 March 2025
From a 14-year-old borrowing rescue longboards on the stunning beaches of Gwithian Cornwall, UK, to a Level 4 Master Surfing Coach travelling the world, this story is an account of how one individual's love for surfing shaped their life and career.
What is your background?
I started surfing at about 14 years of age at Godrevy/Gwithian, begging and borrowing boards. The local Lifeguard would lend us big old rescue longboards, saying “learn to control that, then you can use something smaller”. Gwithian and Godrevy is (arguably) the most stunning beaches in the UK. We swam a lot from falling off but still learned to surf !
I left Cornwall to join the Royal Marines in March 1987 served 21 ½ years traveling and working around the world (not always in the most favourable countries or environments) - managed to surf during weekends, leave periods and R&R on tours globally.
The Royal Navy/Royal Marines board riders club was formed and there was a requirement for instructors, so I took a course and qualified. On retiring from the service, I was approached by the local surf school about working as a coach.
What got you involved in the sport?
Growing up in Camborne in Cornwall as a youth there seemed to be only 2 options - hanging around the town or the beach. The beach and outdoors appealed to me more. Swimming and body/bellyboard surfing being the norm and it didn’t take long until surfing was the next level to move on to, encouraged by the local lifeguards Pete and Russ!
For me the thing I love about surfing, and the frustrating part, is the fact we are never going to master it fully, we’re always learning!
Why did you become an ASI instructor?
My life as an instructor started with our old BSA (British Surfing Association) during my service career. The BSA folded so did our qualifications. The process of transferring to ISA and the new Surfing GB was insulting to say the least to our experienced coaches, having to attend a lecture on how to deliver a lesson before you could transfer over.
At this time, ASI was moving into the UK. We, as the coaches transferred over and studied the changes to implement them in our coaching. Over the years I completed more ASI courses to expand my knowledge and experience.
I am now a Level 4 Master Surfing Coach and an ASI Surfing Instructor Trainer, travelling the world, teaching others how to be surfing instructors.
What are you doing now ?
I am now a Level 4 Master Surfing Coach, delivering coaching sessions up to advanced level. I’m also an ASI Trainer, and travel the world, teaching others how to be ASI surfing instructors.
What do you like about being an instructor?
For myself it is great to have a qualification that crosses borders (including Portugal), access to instructor retreats and manuals etc
It’s the best job in the world, when the sun is shining, and we have perfect teaching conditions surrounded by keen happy students.
To anyone interested in being a surfing instructor, I would say…. take a good instructor’s course, find a very good school to conduct your training hours and use that time fully to gain the best experience you can.
Strive for excellence in yourself, improve your surfing basics and understanding of those basics, keep your instruction fact based, watch yourself doing demos, mirror/video a picture paints a thousand words your students will emulate what you show them. Learn to use simple methods to assess your students from start to finish and tailor your coaching accordingly.
Tell us about funny or interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?
Being tasked with completing a bucket list wish for a 56 year old blind man who’s wish was to ride a wave.
With some thought on the matter, and safety, and his heightened hearing, we managed to help him achieve his goal.
At the end of his session he could catch a white water wave and ride to the voice of the inshore second instructor. His sense of achievement could almost be physically felt!
About ASI
ASI is a global leader in training and accrediting instructors, coaches, and schools for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding. ASI instructors and schools ensure world-class training, safety and operational standards. Whether you're learning for personal enjoyment or to establish a career in the industry, ASI opens the door to new skills, global opportunities, and adventure.
