Introducing ASI Surf Instructor Andrew Curtis, Australia

AUSTRALIA. Meet Andrew Curtis, an ASI Surf Instructor on the Gold Coast, Australia. He started out surfing competitively on the Gold Coast with local club Alley Boardriders, went on to be a Gold Coast Junior representative and surfed overseas in Japan in their local tour competitions. After a hiatus for studies, work and the odd Bali surf trip he returned to surf senior competitions, made the Queensland team for the Australian titles and is currently back to back seniors champion with local Gold Coast club MNM Boardriders. He has obtained qualifications of a Bachelor of Business, CPA status, and undertaken coaching/instructor studies that has allowed him to work with the surfing industry - as well as be a teacher and surf instructor. 

We asked him a few questions…

What got you involved in the sport?
I got involved in surfing initially whilst I was growing up in the tropical location of PNG after my parents had moved there to work. We would do brief trips to the Gold Coast to see my grandfather who happened to live right on the beach and I would take out small foam boards or surf mats lying around. When I was 10 my parents then decided to return to the Gold Coast permanently and this is when I got involved in competition surfing and my passion for surfing sky rocketed. And how could it not - I was immersed in the Gold Coast surfing scene and competed locally and at high school in esteemed company such as with Richard 'Dog' Marsh, Craig Pictures, Tony Ray and Ross Clarke Jones all of whom continued on to become world tour surfers

Why did you become an ASI instructor?
I became an ASI instructor first and foremost because of my passion for surfing and maybe it's an old cliche but I wanted to give back to the sport that has given me so much. And that's not just about improvements in physical ability, but also creating an awareness of safety as well as the therapeutic and mental benefits of being in the ocean and what surfing with friends/others offers. ASI has allowed me to pursue the above to date and I am thankful.

What are you doing now?
I am now instructing with some surf schools around the Gold Coast, work with the surf industry, and surf socially and in competitions which I still enjoy.

What do you like about being an ASI instructor?
I Iike being an ASI instructor because ASI provides an avenue to do something I am really passionate about and which benefits others in so many ways

Tell us about funny or interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?
A nice situation that has happened to me in instructing was when coaching a visiting Fijian Rugby team recently, afterwards the whole team banded together and sang to all the coaches a really nice traditional Fijian song simply to say Thankyou! And I don't know if you have ever heard Fijians sing, but if not wow do yourself a favour - what warm people and great ambassadors they were for their country.

A huge thank you to Andrew for the insights into life as a Surf Instructor. All the best for the many adventures ahead!
If you fancy becoming an ASI Surf Instructor like Andrew then Click Here to find out how to get started and make your dream job a reality!