Introducing ASI Surf Instructor, Allannah Brown, Cornwall, UK

UK, CORNWALL. Meet Allannah, ASI surfing Instructor and school owner.

Surfing since the age of 13 and competing in the UK Pro tour Allannah has been coaching worldwide for 14 years. She has now set up Gather and Glide in Newquay, Cornwall with her business partner Sam. Offering womens surf courses, they have a mission of making new friends in the line up and bringing women together to form a strong sense of community out in the water, no matter what level you are or what surfboard you ride. Allannah shares her passion of surfing by providing high quality and professional coaching for women to help them develop their skills and confidence out in the water. 

We asked her a few questions to find out more…

What is your background?

Growing up in Newquay, Cornwall, I wasn't a sporty child, I was bullied and was very overweight, but I got into surfing at the age of 13, discovered a passion for the ocean and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I have competed on the UK Pro tour in shortboarding & Longboarding divisions, had some good results and have spent the last 12 years traveling the world surfing and coaching. 

 

What got you involved in the sport?

I was always a water baby and loved bodyboarding, but i remember seeing keala Kennelly on the Extreme sports channel surfing in long boardshorts with a mohawk and shredding, it was so punk, I immediately wanted to give it a go! 
 

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

Besides wanting to share my passion of surfing with others, I want to be able to give people an experience that will stay with them, to show them how amazing the ocean is, how it makes us resilient and how it can soften some hard corners in our lives.  - Apologies for the cheese! 
 

What are you doing now?

Me and my business partner own a progressive surf school called Gather & Glide here in Newquay, where we run 5 day beginner and improver surf courses, plus advanced longboard and shortboard weekend courses, where we have designed and developed courses that we wish we had when we were learning and progressing, catering for all learning styles, putting the fun back into surfing!

 

Photo Credit: Bellabunce 

 

What do you like about being an ASI instructor?
 
I love being able to work outside in the elements and being on hand to witness the students progression and the happiness the ocean brings to them, plus it has opened up so many opportunities to travel and work abroad, allowing me to experience so many amazing cultures and to surf some bucket list waves! 

 

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

I used to live and work in Indonesia in Lombok and I was out in the water with a student, when all of a sudden a banded sea snake swam over my board and then made a beeline for my student and chased her around in circles for several seconds until it got bored and went off, we were both laughing throughout, i wish I had a camera haha 

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

Check out Gather and Glide

Photo Credit: Myeyeswontdry

Banner Photo Credit: Bellabunce