Introducing ASI Surfing instructor, Francis Mollet, Bali

Francis Mollet is an ocean advocate who's revolutionizing education and community service through his groundbreaking SOAP™ (Student Ocean Ambassadors Program™) at Green School in Bali.  

As the first school to integrate such an approach, Francis and his team are proving that education, empathy, and a love for the ocean can create a safer, happier, and bluer world. 

What is your Background?

I am half Portuguese, half English. Growing up in Portugal, 20 mins from the coast I was constantly in the ocean from a very early age and I have tried almost every  water-sport that will bring me closer to the seas and give me a deeper understanding of their beauty, richness and power.

I am a teacher at the Green School Bali where I co-founded and coordinated SOAP (Student Ocean Ambassadors Program™) a four-pronged approach to putting ocean regeneration at the forefront of our students’ educational experiences:  Hook 'em, train 'em, brain 'em, launch 'em. 

With this program, our community of learners of all ages work towards making our world more sustainable by local-to-globally placing education at the heart of service to our oceans.

What got you involved in the sport?
 
We always body-surfed as kids with whatever we had, or nothing. Any excuse to play in the waves was taken. My father was always keen to take us out and teach us how to respect but also love the ocean. I had heard of surfing standing up but only ever seen it in American movies or in magazines. Then one day, I saw some foreigners surfing upright, standing boldly on the waves and I knew I had to try that. It looked so graceful and fun.  I wanted to walk on water too!  

In those days there was a small community of surfers and only 1 place in Portugal that fixed boards in Ericeira.  When the second place opened near my house in Sintra, I begged my parents to buy me a second hand board because I had done really well in my school exams that year. It was a birthday and Christmas present all in one and I was not disappointed. I took it home and laid it on the back of the family sofa and practiced balancing on it, pretending I was catching enormous waves….

Why did you become an ASI Instructor?

I wanted to become accredited and get some respectability to the SOAP program. 

A lot of people still think surfing is for drop outs and rebels and I needed credentials to help convince people that we were serious about using surfing and other ocean-going activities as vehicle for some authentic and engaging learning.
 
What are you doing now?

I am so pleased to say that the SOAP™ - Student Ocean Ambassadors Program™ is going live and official at Green School Bali starting August after 8 years of proof of concept work.

The latest cool thing that we have been doing for 4 years now is prepping our student surfers to become surf instructors by assisting to coach younger students who are learning, and the pride and joy of the SOAP™ - Student Ocean Ambassadors Program™ is a thing called Surfers For Diversity.

Surfers for Diversity is a program where we take our intermediate surfers and turn them into aspiring surf coaches for students from the Matahari Centre here in Bali. Our wards have Down Syndrome, CP and Autism/ADHD and we are studying the effect on ourselves of offering surf therapy to them.

We are the first school ever to study applied psychology in the classroom and then follow it up with field work which is a service to the community and an opportunity to study ourselves and the effect we can have to make the world around us a safer, happier, bluer place. 

What do you like about being an ASI instructor?

I feel empowered not just because of the certificate but also knowing that I have solid training that I can fall back on. It is also important for credibility and insurance reasons. I feel more confident knowing that I have shown due diligence in making sure I that I have everything I need should I need to protect myself legally.

I’ve been an ASI Surfing Instructor since 2016, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to maintain my practice over the years. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with the next generation of surfers.

Most people don't believe I get to do that as part of my job, let alone that it counts as work.

I can guarantee that it is some of the hardest work I have done in my life but by far the most rewarding too. I pray I may I "work" like this for a long time yet....

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

Watching our students stand for the first time and seeing their determination to become a committed, conscientious, ocean ambassador is so rewarding!  

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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