Part 1: Beginnings
Reflecting on my past, I realised I stumbled into coaching almost by chance. I understand now that it was my desires, life events, and the environments I found myself in all played a role in steering me towards this path.
I’m going back to my early years in this journey, when I began surfing at the age of twelve in Christchurch, NZ. As I approached the end of high school in the late 80s, our economy was in recession and we didn’t have a lot of money, so it was too challenging for me to pursue the University pathway. Struggling to secure good employment, I sought a route that would allow me to earn a tertiary qualification while being gainfully employed. This quest led me to explore opportunities within the Air Force, prompting me to undertake their entrance exams.
Performing well in the exams, I was encouraged by the recruiter to pursue aircrew selection. However, I “choked” during the impromptu public speaking assessment, hindered by insecurities a lot of 17-year-old have and paralysed with performance anxiety. Although I was urged to reapply for the next intake, financial pressures led me to seek alternative paths.
During the selection process, I connected with a fellow candidate already serving in the military, who suggested considering choosing an engineering trade if I couldn’t afford to wait. Following his advice, I enrolled as an aircraft engineering cadet, embarking on a career that allowed me to travel extensively, indulging in my passion for surfing and honing my knack for fixing things.
As I entered my thirties and embraced fatherhood, a newfound sense of responsibility and desire to do different and make a difference began to take root. The experience of nurturing my young daughter had quickly shifted my focus from self to others, prompting me to contemplate what changes I could make in my life to do different.
The idea of becoming a surf coach emerged.
Eager to share my love for the ocean and my wealth of experiences with others, I underwent training as a surf coach, balancing this newfound passion with my existing career in engineering. This eventually led to a part-time coaching role for a chain of surf shops across the south of England.
Becoming a coach marked a pivotal moment in my vocational journey, where my skills and passions took precedence over mere financial considerations. The success of a “girls only” surf event that I organised for the shop chain propelled me into a full-time coaching and sports equipment trainer role. However, as fate would have it, the company underwent a takeover, resulting in redundancy. As a part of my severance package, I negotiated then retainment of the lease agreement with the local council for the surf school, along with all the equipment and my company car. I still have two original beginner boards from 2002 that are still in use to this day.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll delve into what happened next!
Surf Steps: Surf, SUP and Safety. 