Introducing ASI SUP Instructor Lucy Pearce

UK.  We talked to ASI Instructor Lucy Pearce who is based in Southport in the North West of England about how she got into SUP and her career as an ASI Instructor.

How did you get into SUP?
“I’m originally from Dorset but I moved to the north west of England and I lived by an inland lake. I had a huge urge to get on the water and I originally wanted to learn to kite surf but realised I was not confident enough, so started paddling instead. I became very quickly obsessed with SUP after that.”

What made you decide to become an ASI instructor?
“Living by the lake and paddling as much as possible I started teaching some friends so that I had other people to go paddling with. Back in 2012 there weren’t many paddleboarders up in the north of England.  

In 2013 I officially began my career as an ASI SUP instructor to inspire others to get the bug and create a community of paddleboarders in this area. The ASI offer the highest SUP professional training and ongoing support. 

“Now we have a really great community of paddleboarders and an amazing location to do it. The mile-long lake is brilliant to paddle on both for recreational paddling and for racing. On our social paddles we often have 35 people out on the water together and we all paddle all throughout the winter. We’re a hardy bunch up north!”

Where has paddleboarding taken you?
Since learning to SUP I’ve done paddling exploration, SUP racing and I’m now doing SUP surfing as well which I never thought I’d do! SUP ticks all the boxes for me it means I get to spend time outdoors, be social with like-minded people and stay fit. “

Any funny incidents?
“As an instructor I’m often taking people outside their comfort zone, especially if they have never been on the water before. I had a husband and wife booked on a lesson and I think the lady didn’t know what she was letting herself in for. We paddled up to the far end of the lake and she fell off the board. There is a café at that end of the lake near where she fell off and there was a singer performing in the café who saw her fall in. He was singing “That’s life.” And he changed the lyrics to; “Just pick yourself up and get back on your board… “She laughed and got back on and was thrilled that she managed to carry on. It was very funny.”

What’s changed in the industry since you started?
“In the last two years the overall awareness of SUP has increased now it’s in the media a lot more. SUP is now a mass participation activity rather than niche. The production of inflatable SUP’s makes it more accessible and it’s having a huge impact as that’s how most people get into the sport. Here In the north we are 2-3 years behind the rest of the UK but were seeing lots more numbers participating in the sport now, so it’s great.”

ASI SUP Instructor Lucy Pearce co-founded SUP North based at Southport, near Liverpool in the UK.   She also  She says: “SUP has changed my life. Our aim is to help to develop the sport here in the north and get more people on the water enjoying themselves. It’s not the warmest or most scenic of places but we are near the sea and we have lots of lakes, canals and inland water to paddle on. So, we have lots of paddling options and are a really friendly bunch.”

She is also a distributor for Red Paddle Boards and she regularly travels around the country displaying and providing demonstrations of the boards.  As a result, she has an extensive knowledge of SUP boards and equipment.   

ASI instructor Lucy is stoked to be passing on her love of SUP that has already proved life-changing for her.

SUP North website:  http://www.supnorth.co/

Become an ASI Instructor.  Find out more.....

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About ASI 

ASI is a professional membership organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
We set the standards for education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for our members, offering pathways from entry level to elite level.
International Instructor and Coach Accreditation. You can travel the world with ASI.
ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.
www.academyofsurfing.com