Introducing ASI SUP Instructor, Vivian VAN DER ZWAAG-LANS, The Netherlands

Combining her love for water sports, SUP yoga, and storytelling, Vivian inspires people of all ages to connect with nature and stay active.

What is your background?

I live with my family in Schellinkhout, a picturesque village in the Netherlands in northern Holland.  The country is surrounded by water and I’m fortunate enough to live near a lake and loads of canals. It’s the perfect place for water sports!

Although my background is in environmental science, I retrained as a yoga teacher when my children were younger and now offer classes and retreats to all age groups.

I’d say that besides SUP yoga, my passion is children's yoga and I’ve made it my mission to inspire kids to get moving and become more flexible.

This passion led me to writing!   I recently wrote my Children's Yoga with Bear series with this in mind. My latest book, Beach Buddies features surfer dude Bear who goes on a beach clean with his friends. The book combines all my passions and has been a great project.

What got you involved in the sport?

From a young age, I've always been drawn to the water, whether sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, swimming or rowing through the Dutch waterways. My family were also keen sailors, so many of my childhood holidays were spent on our boat. Nowadays, I sail often with my own family.

I became hooked on Stand-Up Paddling and SUP Yoga in 2014.  It’s a wonderful year-round activity to enjoy with friends and family.

The Dutch are obsessed with bicycles, but there’s so much water here that, in my opinion, they’d all be better off owning a SUP board.

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

In 2020, I qualified as an ASI-SUP instructor. I chose this internationally recognised qualification because of my love of the sport and the outdoors.

I wanted to be able to share this passion and pass my knowledge on to other enthusiasts.

What are you doing now ?

During the summer, I teach SUP Yoga and paddleboard sessions. I work with several SUP schools to offer these activities

It’s great being able to work in beautiful locations across the Netherlands.

What do you like about being an instructor?

It’s very satisfying seeing others enjoy the water, especially when they’ve never tried stand-up paddling or yoga before. The sessions are always full of fun and energy.

I also enjoy writing and I’m also looking at writing other books about SUP.

Tell us about an inspiring story about your student(s) or memorable experiences,  you've had while instructing.  

One memorable experience was a SUP yoga tour for a hens party.

The animals in the neighbouring field wanted to join the fun and even seemed to have an instinctive feel for it! The cows mooed and the sheep bleated at just the right moments, and I was accompanied by a goose who swam beside my board the whole time.

The bride-to-be and her friends found it hilarious !

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.
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