Thanks to my surfers and friends, Natasha Davies and Mark Hagger for nominating me and to the ISA, Surfing England, and the Adaptive Surfing Community for the friendship, community and support it took to get here!
Walton on Thames, Elmbridge, SurreyAugust 21-23 2020
8 SUP coaches from Ditton’s Paddle Boarding took part in the first Coach Rescue course since the UK lockdown in March.
The course was hosted at a superb private location right on the banks of the river Thames arranged by Brett Scillitoe, Admiral of Dittons, with Surfing England and SLSGB trainer/assessor Andy Joyce.
Subjects covered included practical skills, safety, communication, risk analysis and assessment, SUP rescue, and First Aid.
The days started with theory and dry land practical sessions, followed in the afternoon by a lot of enjoyable water-based practical sessions in the surprisingly mild temperatures of the summertime Thames.
L-R Andy, Judy, Becky, Claire, Simon enjoying the riverside training.
“It was great to be able to get back to doing what I love, helping people become safer coaches in and on the water and enable them to perform quality rescues in emergency situations. The students finally got the long-waited opportunity to complete the internationally recognised course and showed this in the way they applied themselves during the courses.”Andy Joyce
” Andy was a great instructor and all the students commented on how well he guided them through all parts of the course, with care and consideration. Nothing was ever a bother to go through again. They were all very keen to get going and practice their new skills.”BrettScillitoe
Surf Steps provide this and other safety courses that are suitable for all watersports users, not just lifesavers and coaches.
Last week, after a long time in lockdown, the Surfing England Adaptive (Para) Surf crew got together on Monday the 20th July in Porthtowan for a long-needed team catch up and surf!
Tash dropping in!
Morgan Surfing (credits Caroline Kearsley
Nearly to his feet!
Melissa
Martin
Mark
Louis out the back with Mark and Martin further inside
Blessed with great weather and easy conditions, a lot of the core team made it for the day with some new surfers joining as well. We also had the great surprise of Bruno Hansen, Danish prone surfing world champion turning up to say hi!
It provided a great opportunity to look at equipment, technical aspects of surfing, and renewing and developing the relationships between the group as a whole.
The day was arranged by Andy Joyce, Surfing England’s Para Surf Team Manager and Melissa Reid, Britain’s first woman’s World Champion surfer (VI) at her home break of Porthtowan. We were grateful for the amazing support by the following companies and people:
-The Wave Project for organisational assistance and the use of their beach wheelchair.
-Spike Kane and The Wave for the use of the prone board for Tash.
–Snugg and Swell for the use of their boards and wetsuits.
The team are looking at having another training session in September, stay tuned for more of the action!
If you are interested in finding out more and/or supporting the Para Surf team in any way, please do not hesitate to contact Andy ( +44 7941508531 or andy@surfsteps.co.uk)
Latitude N 63° 57.7013′ Longitude E 10°.11.3 3993′ Lofoten, Norway 9-14 August.
Back in March, Norwegian friends and SUP organisors Kjell and Eilen got in touch: “We’re looking at running some courses in the Lofoten’s, would you like to run them? The location we’re looking at is Unstad beach, a top surf destination in the Lofoten Islands, is that ok? ”
23-24 June, Klitmoller, Thy region, Denmark
The DSRF (Danish Surf and rafting Federation) Hosted two ISA one day SUP modules in great summer conditions in Northern Jutland last weekend.
Due to popularity we will be running our juniors sessions on Saturday AND SUNDAY! 10am-11am
Saturday is now full! if Sunday fills up aswell we will try and increase the group sizes for both days.
The course is a 6 week block (hoping to run from November 5th – Dec 10th) and will cost £10 per session per child. (there is a reduced rate available if you have not attended our juniors club before and would like to fill in a funding form to recieve a discount)