ASI Conference IPDJ credits, February 2024 Portugal

Keep up to date with ASI Short courses, specially designed for instructors who hold the Treinador De Desporto Grau 1 or Grau 2.

The ASI Conference and ASI Air Retreat is a professional skills and network event. It includes topics relevant to the industry with guest speakers, dinner on the Saturday night and paddle /surf activities and an ASI T-shirt.

Held at Sagres, Algarve, Portugal  on Saturday 17 February 2024.

The day starts with a range of guest speakers up to lunch. Spend the afternoon in surfing / SUP / bodyboarding activities at local locations. Then meet again at 5pm for drinks, dinner and more guest speakers.

Approved by the IPDJ, you will earn 2 Credits (2 Unidades de Crédito, IPDJ).

Date / Time
Saturday 17 February 2024
9am to 10pm

Location / Venue
Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
ASI Portugal office Map
Rua da Nossa Sra. da Graça 189
8650-369 Sagres Algarve
Free parking on site.

Eligibility
Open to instructors holding the Treinador De Desporto Grau 1 or Grau 2. 

Fees
Includes IPDJ Certificate and 2 credits.
€200 Non ASI instructors
€150 ASI instructors

If you do not want an IPDJ certificate or credits - Free to attend for ASI Instructors for €100 for non ASI instructors.

Course Details

See course information

Enrolment at

https://www.academyofsurfing.com/courses/asi-conference-ipdj-credits/events/377

Payment by credit card or bank transfer.

SCHEDULE

Friday 16 February 2024
For people arriving early. 6.00pm meet up in a local bar for drinks and networking.

Saturday 17 February 2024
9am to 12pm: Guest speakers
12pm to 6pm: Activities: SUP tours, SUP Yoga, Sup fitness, surfaris and network
6.00pm: Meet for drinks.
7.00pm: Guest speaker and dinner.
10.00pm: Finish

SPEAKERS / TOPICS

Olivia Piana
Finding the Balance with Competition and Coaching - SUP and Wing Foiling
Evening Guest Speaker

We are pleased to announce that Olivia Piana is the evening guest speaker at the ASI Air Retreat in Sagres, Portugal on 17 Feb 2024.

ASI Instructor Olivia, is a celebrated figure in the world wing foiling and Stand-Up Paddling. Claiming 3 x SUP race world champion, 2021 wingfoil race world champion and 2021 wingfoil freestyle runner-up, Olivia now dedicates herself to her favourite discipline: SUP downwind foil.  

Olivia is completely at ease regardless of the discipline. From explosive sprints to gruelling distance events, she is a fierce competitor who consistently reaches the top. Her performances on the water have seen her become an influence within the research and design of boards, foils and paddles from a female perspective, and she has always been a champion of the importance of women in SUP.

In 2023, Olivia won the legendary Molokai 2 Oahu in SUP Foiling and she sets a new world record of 284,7km in one day, from Peniche to Sagres.

She will talk about what it takes to compete, coaching and updates on the fast growing area of wing and SUP foiling.

Olivia will also deliver wing foil clinics during the activities session.  Sponsored by Axis and Vayu there will also a range of foil and wing equipment to view and try. 

More about Olivia

Alex Botelho
Big Wave Surfing Competition and Potential Dilemmas

Alex Botelho, a Big Wave Rider from Algarve Portugal, became a standout in big wave sessions around the world, from Mavericks to Jaws and Nazaré.   On February 11, 2020, Alex nearly drowned on a live broadcast of the World Surfing League (WSL), Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge.    He spent the next week in intensive care , then rehabilitation and has suffered physically and mentally since the event. 

Alex talks about big wave competition, event organisers' safeguarding of competitor safety and security, and the pressure dilemma competitors may be under in relation to their own safety, especially when sponsors, and live broadcasting are involved.

More about Alex

Andrzej Rybicki
Tips to Developing a Successful SUP / Surf School 

Andrzej Rybicki is the owner of SUP Baza, located at Orlowo Gdynia, Poland.   He has been instrumental in developing SUP activities in Poland.  

He is a sailor, a qualified account and IT consultant.  He was introduced to SUP many years ago and found it great for health and accessibility.  However, there was little in the way of accredited SUP schools or programs for learning to SUP in Poland. 

In 2023, he teamed up with ASI with a vision to get SUP known and available in Gdynia (city in northern Poland) which has perfect conditions to SUP.

In a short time, he has been successful in having SUP on TV, radio, in the news and being approved by the education department in Gdynia to have learn to SUP activities for school kids as part of many educational programs.

Andrzej talks about how he was able gain success in a short time, the benefits of instructor training in Poland, the ASI SUP Wise programs, and how to organise successful programs for school kids.
More about SUP Baza

Dora Carola
Aquatic Safety Education and the Link to Blue Space Physical Activity

Dora Carola specialises in Aquatic Safety Education research.   In particular, her ongoing research looks at how our aquatic physical literacy can contribute to drowning prevention and help us to be active for life through the enhancement in Blue Space Physical Activity behaviours.

Blue Space theory refers to outdoor water environments and the positive effects on physical and mental health. 

Based in Portugal, Dora is a PhD candidate (FCT Scholarship 2021.06516.BD), assistant lecturer, and researcher at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon.   She holds a Masters in Physical Education and a Bachelor Degree in Sport Science – Sport Coaching Specialization.  Her passion is human movement, aquatic environments and knowledge.  Since 2014, Dora has been involved in professional lifeguarding, emergency medical response (Portuguese Red Cross), rescue effectiveness, swimming and surf coaching and delivering training courses in rescue and related skills. 

Dora will talk about: “Aquatic Safety Education and the link to Blue Space Physical Activity”

Including the latest research, rescue and safety techniques, equipment to use, operating in remote locations / without lifeguard support, and incorporating rescue skills and blue space activities in sessions you deliver to your students.

On the Sunday 18 Feb, Dora will be delivering an ASI Water Safety Rescue course (5 hours).  

Sophy Aykroyd
Get on Board with Surf, SUP Wellness 

Sophy Aykroyd is qualified Pilates instructor and stand up paddler, based in London UK and specialises in health, fitness and rehabilitation.  She also helped create the ASI SUP Pilates instructor course and is the lead trainer.

Sophy will talk about getting on board with surf, SUP wellness, how to grow your client base by maintaining client loyalty and commitment and providing tailored classes that are challenging, effective and fun.

Originally trained as actor/dancer appearing in West End, UK and Euro productions, Sophy discovered Pilates in 2001 after suffering a back injury. Since 2013, Sophy has been stand up paddling and has been at the forefront developing and delivering SUP-Pilates classes on the Thames River in central London.   She holds a range of Pilates instructor and clinical qualifications, SUP technical coach qualifications and has an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.  

Sophy will also deliver a SUP Pilates session as part of the afternoon activities.  
More about Sophy…

Afonso Texiera
The learn-to-surf sector in Portugal: current state, challenges and where it's going.

Afonso is the Executive Director of the Associação de Escolas de Surf de Portugal  (AESDP) / Association of Surf Schools.   The Association is unique as it is the only organisation worldwide set up to be the voice for surf schools and instructors within an specific country.   

Afonso is a lifelong surfer, surfing instructor and holds a Masters Degree in Sustainable Tourism.

Surfing tourism is a major part of the economy in Portugal.  The AESDP represents the interests of instructors and surf schools , and liaises with government departments on all levels that can affect the livelihood of surf school operators in Portugal.  

Afonso will talk about the current state of the Surf School sector in Portugal, how it reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as how the government has been regulating surf schools in Portugal and what Surf Schools and Coaches must consider moving forward.  Thoughts to also consider for other countries worldwide. 

More about the association at:  www.associacaoescolasdesurf.pt

ACTIVITIES

Activities available on the Saturday afternoon include:

Wing foiling - learn about wing foiling, equipment and try wing foiling. Instructor is Olivia Piana, wing and SUP foiling world champion.

SUP tour - explore the coastline with stunning cliffs and coves. SUP tour guide is Nelson from Coastal Algarve SUP school. He has a wealth of experience delivering SUP tours in the local area.

Surfing / bodyboarding our - check out the local surf breaks with ASI qualified local instructor. Guaranteed to get the best conditions on the day.

SUP Pilates  - enjoy a fitness session with a difference!  On water activity.