Introducing Debbie Ashley, SUP Instructor England UK

Meet Debbie, who turned her struggles with osteoarthritis and depression into an inspiring story of triumph.  Determined to give back, Debbie trained to become an ASI SUP instructor, and is passionate about inspiring others about SUP   and that it is never too late to transform your life.

What is your background?  / Where do you live?

I live in Cheshire, England UK. Ever since I was little I’ve been a water girl and my Mum would tell anyone that I could “swim like a fish” and was happier in the water than on the land. 

What got you involved in the sport?

I was always a sporty kid with a particular passion for the water. Would swim and splash at any opportunity and even won the swimming colours (a school award) when I was 11. As an adult I continued to swim for exercise yet this waned as I juggled raising children with a stressful job. Over the years I put weight on and became less active and also suffered from depression.

I was devastated to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my mid-40s and lamented that this might mean I had to be less active.  It really made me look hard at my fitness and helped me to realise there was more I could be doing to be more healthy.

I visited my sister in 2018 in Perth Australia and tried SUP there.  I was watching my brother-in-law and his kids with envy paddling on their board up the coast. It just looked so idyllic yet unattainable to this overweight and nearing 50 years of age lady. Then he came back, got off the board and threw the paddle towards me, saying “your turn”. So I rose to the challenge and got on and paddled! And was instantly hooked.

I found SUP later in life and I can honestly say it changed my life.  Here was a water sport, that would not only improve my core fitness, but provided me with the essential lift I needed for my mental health and well-being.

Why did you become an ASI Instructor?

Over the next year, I was determined that I would start to look after myself better. I found a local SUP club and joined them. I’ll always be grateful for their support, as I grew in confidence and became a better paddler.

A year after I joined them I knew I wanted to become a SUP instructor to prove to other people my age that there is hope and I’m a believer in lifelong fitness. I’m also a champion for family activity, having spent years working with children and families, so love it with they come to me to experience family time on the water.

And so I trained with the ASI, learning all about how I could be a great instructor and keep people safe on the water. 

What are you doing now ?

This is my 5th season now teaching, having set up my little sup venture called 121 SUP.

I wanted to give others the opportunity I’d had and especially show people that it’s possible to find a sport they can enjoy, even if they have some health problems. I try to make the sport as accessible as I can. I got hearing aids last year and I actively encourage others with any sensory problems to learn.

As an instructor in my 50s now, I find I have many older people approach me for lessons and they tell me they’ve done this because I’m an older instructor.

I’ve also conducted water safety sessions and started a social sup group so that people can meet and share paddles, which has put a lot of isolated paddlers together. 

What do you like about being an instructor?

I love being an instructor! It gives me such a buzz. My favourite thing is seeing nervous people grow in confidence. I’ve made some lifelong friends from my learners and I’m just so humbled to think I’ve been part of someone’s journey to be more confident.

I found SUP at a low point in my life and I honestly feel SUP saved me!  I just get so much joy out of sharing this wonderful sport with others. 

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

I have many wonderful stories to share but a couple that stick with me are a woman who came to me who was shaking so badly with nerves on the first lesson.

By the 6th lesson she was standing and paddling confidently and had changed her job. She told me that the overcoming her fear of water helped her in all aspects of her life and she’d found the confidence to leave an unfulfilling job.  She is still one of my biggest supporters and a friend.

The other one was a man, whose wife had bought him a paddle board for his 73rd birthday. He did really well! I wonder if I’ll still be teaching when I’m 73? I do hope so! 

One another note:

I am still so saddened to read stories of deaths in paddle boarding. It’s why it’s so so paramount that instructors keep teaching the importance of sup safety. 

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to tell my story. I absolutely love being an instructor and I tell everyone that I’ve been trained by the best teaching body in the world; the ASI. 

About ASI
ASI is an international professional membership and training organisation and governing body for instructors, coaches and schools and clubs in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.
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