Introducing ASI SUP Instructor, Jason Topley

UK. SCOTLAND. Meet Jason Topley, ASI SUP Instructor based in the wild outskirts of Aberdeen, Scotland. A scuba shop operator for over 25 years, he got involved in SUP by chance. That inspired him to set up a SUP business, Element67, offering a range of SUP training and tours.

Read on to find out more…

What is your background?

My background in Watersports originally came from Scuba Diving, from my first breath underwater I was immersed into a new world waiting to be explored. My love of this whole new world meant I started and ran a Scuba store in Scotland for over 25 years. This gave me the love of the ocean, our lochs, our rivers, and simply the natural environment we live in and the pure pleasure and tranquillity of being on top of or under the water.
 

What got you involved in the sport?

A few years ago I took part in a SUPAthlon, SUP-Bike-Run at Knockburn Sports Loch in Scotland, and came fourth. That 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.

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. After speaking at length to ASI's 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. 

What are you doing now?

I am exceptionally lucky as the water is my office and from here I keep my toes wet and run and own my company, Element67, an ASI SUP School in Scotland. Based on the outskirts of Aberdeen at the gorgeous Knockburn Sports Loch, we are lucky enough to have a stunning natural underground spring feed at the Loch that is nestled in the surrounding heather covered hills, and is the perfect backdrop for stand up paddle boarding. We are well placed to get out and explore the dramatic Scottish coast line, the 100's of tranquil Lochs and the meandering rivers Scotland has on offer. Our location gives us so much scope and opportunity for SUP travel and exploration locally and further afield. As well as the school, we have a great customer base for our SUP store that stocks brands such as O'Shea, Palm, Typhoon, Starboard, Red, Yak, Crewsaver, and Beaver to name but a few.



What do you like about being an ASI instructor?

I get great joy from seeing someone develop from being nervous and apprehensive of just getting on a 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 joy 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 an interesting or nice situation that has happened to you while instructing?

The list is endless, but I guess paddling with dolphins on a beautiful sunrise paddle off the north east coast of Scotland is up there as one of the most memorable.   

Scottish paddle boarding at its finest. 
 

Thanks to Jason for sharing some insight with us! If you're interested in turning your watersports hobby into your dream job with ASI, enquire here