Introducing ASI SUP Instructor, Jason Topley

Meet Jason Topley, an ASI SUP Instructor from Aberdeen, Scotland, with a rich watersports background and over 35 years of experience in the stunning Scottish countryside and coastline.

What is your background? 

Originally I am from a scuba diving and watersports background owning and running a PADI 5 Star IDC dive centre on the North east coast of Scotland in Aberdeen.

I have lived in Aberdeen for over 35 years and feel at home in the stunning countryside and breathtaking coastline.

What got you involved in the sport?

My first step onto a paddle board was for a SUPATHLON at Knockburn Sports Loch & Outdoor centre  It was a SUP paddle around the loch, followed by a transition to the mountain bike for the hills and trails portion of the race, and then finally a run to the finish line.  I came in 4th.

That same year I purchased my first board and entered the same race again for the following year, this time I managed to get on the podium with a 3rd place… I was hooked.

We started selling SUP boards in the dive centre and that was that...

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

I wanted to improve on my knowledge and limited amount of stand up paddle boarding skills with a more structured level of training and education.

As a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Master Trainer, I was looking for a training programme that offered something similar to the PADI way of training, that builds on skills and knowledge in an easy to develop step by step system of education.

I spent time researching the best option and after speaking at length to ASI's Trainer in Scotland, Stevie Boyle, ASI immediately stood out as the organisation that most suited my style of coaching and instruction - not only for my own development, but also for any of my future SUP students.  

The ASI combined SUP Wise, SUP Rescue and ASI Level 1 Instructor Course provides a solid foundation for being an ASI SUP Instructor.

What are you doing now?

Now I have the pleasure of running my own SUP School Element67, an ASI Accredited SUP School, based at Knockburn Loch near Aberdeen. The school teaches ASI SUP Wise courses, along with organising SUP sessions not only on the Loch but also on some of the beautiful rivers with have in Scotland but also to destinations such as the fjords in Norway.

 What do you like about being an instructor?

I have always loved being an instructor, right from the time I became a PADI Scuba instructor.

I get great joy from seeing someone develop from being nervous and apprehensive of just getting on a SUP board, let alone standing up, to taking their first shaky steps.

I take a wide range of students from children on my kids camps to awesome ladies on my weekly ladies nights. Every week, along with the laughs and the fun, I take great pride in seeing someone progress and develop, and then seeing them again and again out on the water having fun while safe in the knowledge they have a good base of safety and SUP skills.

Most of all, I just love being outside using the skills that the ASI qualification has given me.

Tell us about funny or interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?

Part of what our school does at Knockburn Loch is taking children onto the water that have never even had the opportunity to put on a wetsuit before let alone get out on the water.

There have been countless times over the years where we might have had a child who is totally scared of water and doesn't even want to step foot on a board let alone in the water.

With careful reassurance and coaching, well maybe more coxing!, its phenomenal to see a child out on the water paddling a SUP board or purposely jumping off a board into the water on a stunning summer's day on the Loch

And …. paddling with the dolphins during a beautiful sunrise along Scotland's northeast coast is truly unforgettable—paddle boarding in Scotland at its absolute finest !

About:  Element67

About ASI
ASI is a global leader in training and accrediting instructors, coaches, and schools for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding.  ASI instructors and schools ensure world-class training, safety and operational standards. Whether you're learning for personal enjoyment or to establish a career in the industry, ASI opens the door to new skills, global opportunities, and adventure.
www.academyofsurfing.com
#ProudToBeASI  #ASIinstructor   #ASIschool
#sup #standuppaddle #supinstructor #supcoach  #supschool  #supwise