ASI Coach Mike Raven from UK to Portugal

Mike Raven is one of ASI’s most senior surfing coaches holding the level 4 Master Surfing Coach award. We spoke to him about his ASI career, his background and why he does what he does.

Mike is a former British, English and European surfing champion, he coaches beginner to elite surfers, runs special programmes for ‘youth at risk’ and is involved with the development of elite surf squads with Cornwall Council and Sports England. He is also the owner of Raven Surf School in Bude, Cornwall, England UK and another surf school in Lagos/Sagres, Portugal.

Mike decided to become a surf instructor while on honeymoon in Sri Lanka with his wife Nicky. He taught Nicky to surf and as it went so well, she decided there and then they were going to start a surf school.

That was a long time ago and now they own two schools, one in the UK and one in Portugal. Mike runs all the lessons in Portugal and oversees the UK school, as well as delivering ASI Level 1 and 2 surfing instructor courses. He’s also a Surf Lifesaving Great Britain (SLSGB) trainer Assessor delivering surf rescue and first aid courses.

It was a natural progression for Mike to climb the ASI career ladder. He says: “I was asked by the head of ASI in Europe if I would like to become a trainer and it seemed a very natural progression as I had been an instructor for many years and had a lot of higher level experience.”

Mike’s inspiring moments are seeing young talented surfer’s careers develop and how surfing has permeated through young people’s lives where nothing else worked.

He says: “We have seen young surfers develop into champions. We have seen children and young adults with social and behavioural problems improve and turn their lives around through programmes that we have run. Not to mention the day to day moments when people learn to ride ocean waves! They are so excited!

“It’s also great to see people you have taught to be instructors go on and travel the world, being able to work and spreading their passion for surfing in a structured and safe way.”

Surfing is everything to Mike. After 40 years surfing and working in the industry, he made his passion his job. As to the future of surfing? He says: “The global explosion of surf schools means that more structure and development of the industry is very important for quality and safety. Experienced and accredited instructors are important to the advancement of the industry. Surfing is continuing to grow and I can’t see that slowing down any-time soon. Surfing offers people that escape from their ordinary day to day working life.”

Find out more about ASI Master Trainer Mike Raven on our website:
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/sports/surfing/team/asi-trainer-mike-raven

ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors), is the worldwide peak body for Instructors and Coaches in the outdoor recreation and sports industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
www.academyofsurfing.com
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.