Introducing ASI SUP Instructor: Muirtí Ó Cearnaigh, Ireland

IRELAND.  Muirtí Ó Cearnaigh is an ASI SUP instructor who grew up having all sorts of watery adventures on the stunning West coast of Ireland. A seasoned surfer, he has taken his love of water and built several SUP schools and a lifeguard training school in Ireland.

We caught up with Muirtí to find out more about how he got there:

Hi Muirtí; tell us a bit about your background

“I have been working in the outdoor adventure industry for 22 years. As children, we spent our summers on Achill Island on the west coast of Ireland which allowed us to explore the ocean and lakes. We started by kayaking and moved onto surfing, windsurfing and stand up paddle-boarding.

“Anything on the water and I’m keen to give it a go. Now I have 3 SUP schools, Summer SUP in Ireland which are open from Easter to Oct.  Based in Louisburgh Co Mayo, Crookhaven in Cork and Cork City SUP with tours in through the town.

I also operate a lifeguard training school called Atlantic Coast Lifeguards, where we train pool, beach and open water lifeguards as well as leisure management. It keeps me busy!”

How did you get started in SUP?

“Having grown up on the water and was keen to try as many activities as I could, a trip surfing in NSW, Australia, around 10 years ago led me to paddleboarding in Shellharbour with a buddy. It was great to find a sport similar to surf for the smaller wave days. Luckily I was able to continue this back home in Ireland and now with some slightly bigger wave days.”

Why did you become an ASI qualified SUP instructor?

“From working in the adventure industry I noticed that when families came to do activities that some members of the family would sit out of the session and say "this one’s not for me" This seemed to become a theme.

“With paddleboarding, I found if using the right equipment there were no barriers for any of the family. My plan was set! Get qualified, get good gear and open a school for families.

“We have had 80+ years of age on the water, mums and dads with a baby on the front etc. We find that paddleboarding is a great family group activity but you can also sneak away and be an individual without too much stress.

I love that first moment of a person forgetting about everything else in their life because they are so focused on getting to their feet!”

What are you doing right now?

“COVID has scuppered all our work this year (at March 2021). SUP schools are closed, training school is closed and I am landlocked! In Ireland, we can travel a max of 5km from home and the surf is 8km from me! But if I want to get back to work soon  - I need to follow the rules and lead by example. So all that is left for me to do is walk Mara my dog and grow some veggies!”

What do you love about being an ASI SUP instructor?

“The interaction with our customers and introducing them to the world of SUP. We are lucky to have some great regular customers who tend to end up buying gear at the end of the summer season. It’s great to see their progression and excitement at hitting the water each time.”

How has COVID and related restrictions changed how you operate?

“Covid, Covid, Covid you are a pain ! We can’t deliver any sessions in Ireland at this time. We have all our new stock ready to go for this upcoming season and we have made huge changes to our setups all in preparation for the new rules and regs. It’s very boring!”  But we are still excited about the upcoming summer when restrictions will be lifted.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give us some insight into your paddling life and recent experiences, Muirtí. We wish you all the positivity in the world as you paddle into 2021, hopefully, COVID free!

If you fancy becoming an ASI SUP instructor like Muirtí then click here to find out how to get started and make your dream job a reality.

 

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About ASI
ASI is a professional membership and training organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.

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