Introducing ASI SUP Instructor, Chris McDowell, UK

UK. Meet Chris McDowell, ASI SUP Instructor

After being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chris was informed that finding something she would enjoy, that would focus the mind as well as the body, was most definitely the best therapy. SUP quickly became a growing passion, which has led to competing in races all over the UK and winning podium places at most races as well as overall series placements. Chris is now an ASI SUP Instructor, sharing this passion with people from all walks of life.

We asked her some questions to find out more…

What is your background?
I currently live in Northumberland, UK but hoping to emigrate to Australia. My background is long distance walking, walk leading all over the UK, running the local LDWA Northumbrian Group and organising large participation competitive events. I was also a volunteer with Mountain Rescue for 10 years prior to heading out to live in Australia for a year in 2015/16. So, as much as I loved bodyboarding and learning to surf in my younger days in Cornwall as well as being a competitive swimmer in my school days, prior to that I'd not really been involved with water sports, but loved the great outdoors especially skiing and fell walking.

Later days I started CrossFit, loved it, grew with confidence not just strength and realised that this was my go-to "therapy"... well it was until SUP came along haha. You see I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and both physically and mentally I was not in a great place, I couldn't tolerate the pain meds I was prescribed and was informed by the pain management consultants that finding something I'd enjoy, that would focus the mind as well as the body, was most definitely the best therapy.
 

 
What got you involved in the sport?
I came to SUP late in life due to a kitesurfing accident in Australia. I always thought I'd continue with Kitesurfing back in the UK once I was healed from the injury, but I soon realised that I had completely lost my bottle. However, the Kitesurfing School I had been in contact with also offered SUP sessions. My first SUP out I'd totally fallen in love with the sport. I had a few sessions and my passion grew, however due to major surgery, I did not return for several months.

I couldn't wait to get back to SUP as I realised it had had a very positive affect in a short space of time on my health and wellbeing. It did not impact the pain I was already enduring, and it was a sport that I knew I'd be able to continue. Once I returned to the sessions, I met a coach who ran SUP Racing sessions and I went along for a try out. I absolutely loved the competitive side of SUP and was soon competing in races all over the UK, winning podium places at most races as well as overall series placements. I relied heavily on friends to ferry me around to the races as I couldn't race and drive long distances. In the early months, I used to be helped off the water at the end of a race as my body used to go into shock due to the Fibromyalgia and associated conditions. Thankfully, I have overcome this and I'm now self-sufficient in every way.

I was absolutely hooked on all elements of SUP, self-motivated to train and spent every bit of free time out on the water. I live close to rivers, reservoirs, lakes and the ocean so there was always a choice of where to SUP dependent on weather and water conditions. As my passion, commitment and experience grew, I was asked if I'd be interested in running some race training sessions and I jumped at the chance. This involved becoming a BSUPA Instructor and I qualified in Summer 2019. I ran sessions for the team and absolutely loved coaching. New paddlers were soon reaching out for advice and 1:1 lessons so I had loads of experience under my belt by the time I headed out to Australia for the Winter. I returned to UK just as COVID struck the world. 

Once restrictions were lifted and we were allowed to paddle again, I was soon swamped with friends, family and others wishing to learn how to SUP. I soon realised that I had a passion for sharing my knowledge and experience on to others and had the most wonderful lesson teaching a 70 year old lady and an 80 year old gent with a broken toe... challenging but achieved an amazing session and I have continued to coach the lady over the last 2 years. So my teaching passion grew, I realised how much SUP was literally accessible to all regardless of age, ability, disability, size, weight, health issues etc, and that it is not just a physical benefit but the big one, "mental wellbeing" especially post COVID. #bluetherapy became the buzz word for sure. I think too the fact that I suffer daily with fatigue and chronic pain amongst other health issues and still be able to provide a passionate session, race and train all gives a positive, confident message to others that they too can achieve big things if they put their mind to it.
 

Why did you become an ASI instructor?
In early 2021, a friend said he was doing his ASI qualifications as he wanted to increase his SUP knowledge. He knew that I'd looked into ASI on many occasions, but due to course locations not being local I had never signed up. ASI was also a qualification I'd hope to be able to use if my permanent move to Australia was ever granted.

A course was being hosted, April 2021 by On Water Training in Hartlepool and I was soon persuaded to take a holiday from my day job to attend the 4 days and signed up with only 2 weeks to train for the fitness test. Now anyone who knows me will tell you, "Chris, swim in the sea or run, not a chance" haha, and it's true, I don't immerse myself in cold water on purpose and definitely not the sea nor do I run; so to then swim and run practice for the fitness test I panicked just a little. This aside, I know if there was an incident, I'd be able to do both but I would never have chosen to do either.
 

I didn't think I could become more passionate and enthusiastic about the sport but I did and loved the course so much I was sad when it ended. But in actual fact, it didn't really end, as the owner of On Water Training invited me to complete my level 1 and 2 shadow hours with them and in no time at all, I was signed off as an ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor and actually working for them. I spent most of my free time delivering mixed ability beginner and intermediate flat water and exposed water sessions in Hartlepool, absolutely loving my new SUP life, but sadly always having to return to my day job in-between times. With my background in SUP racing and coaching a private group of individuals wishing to progress into SUP Racing, I was asked to run SUPFit sessions for On Water, which I did successfully throughout the Autumn and Winter. This is my forte for sure and I am going to further my qualifications to become an ASI Technical Coach very soon.
 

What are you doing now?
After a 2 year spell of not being able to travel to Australia I have taken a few months out to visit family. I continue to SUP train both on and off the water and have delivered SUP experiences to friends; very sad to say I'm not allowed to have paid work on my travel visa or I would have found SUP Instructor employment whilst out here.

Up until I arrived in Australia, 1st April, I worked for On Water Training, trained, raced and enjoyed the social side of SUP too. I've encouraged friends who I have coached to become ASI Instructors too and they are currently completing their shadow hours; they have the same enthusiasm that I have so I think my passion has definitely rubbed off on a large proportion of our local SUP Community.

What do you like about being an ASI instructor?
Where do I begin... as an internationally recognised qualification, I'm hoping I will in time be able to work for different ASI schools both in the UK, Australia and anywhere in between really. My ultimate goal would be to have my own school and race team here in Australia but goodness knows when or if that will ever happen... one needs goals and dreams to work towards though don't they?

I love having the opportunity to teach all kinds of people from all walks of life, whether they stand up on their first lesson or not, it doesn't matter. The mere fact of getting them off dry land, not fearing water and enjoying the freedom SUP brings them is truly amazing and something I want to continue doing well into retirement (which unfortunately isn't really that far away, ugh). Seeing the sheer look of enjoyment from our clients faces and their immediate return for more instructions makes me very happy and fulfilled that I have achieved something good.

I love the whole ASI SUP Community; the learning structure and the continuation of Instructors being evaluated to ensure high standards at all times; this I feel is paramount to us delivering the right messages and instruction to a rapidly growing water sport.
 

Tell us about funny, interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?
Every session comes with a story which in its own right is special, funny and interesting. 

But, an exposed water session back in mid-January this year was very special indeed. The conditions were absolutely incredible after a week of stormy weather. The sea was so eerily flat and glass like, no wind and it was so incredibly warm by the time the "golden hour" arrived. Wearing 5mm wetsuits we were so toasty as we watched the Winter sun set over Hartlepool which included a visit from a local seal. A very special SUP afternoon and one we all felt privileged to have been out on the water to enjoy.

A huge thank you to Chris for taking the time to give us some insight into life as a SUP Instructor. 
If you fancy becoming an ASI SUP Instructor like Chris then click here to find out how to get started and make your dream job a reality!