Life on the Beach - Ian Gabbitas UK L3 Surfing Coach

UK. ENGLAND, CORNWALL. Ian Gabbitas is an ASI Level 3 Surf Coach based in Cornwall, England. He is an elite-advanced surfer, competition surfer and highly experienced surfing coach. 

Ian started surfing in his early teens and became a surf instructor in 2002. He says: “I became an instructor because I wanted to spend as much time as possible at the beach.”

At the age of 15 he completed an assistant coach course at Gwithian Academy Surf School, where he is now the School Manager, and then went on to do ASI Level 1. Ian says: “I like being with people and also traveling, so I teach surfing here in Cornwall during the summer and then travel somewhere hot to surf and work with my ASI qualification.”

Becoming an ASI Trainer was the next career step for Ian. It meant that he could train students who would go on to become instructors at the surf school. He said: “it was not only good for my professional development but I enjoyed inspiring other surfers who’ve been taught by myself to become instructor’s in their own right. It’s such a great job.”

Surfing is a great way of connecting people. Ian says: “it’s a great way to meet so many likeminded people from all over the world. At the surf school people who come to us for surf lessons are on often on holiday. It’s a happy environment. They are here to have fun and its great to see so many smiling faces after a lesson.”

Surfing and taking surf lessons while dolphins and seal pups play around in the bay are a regular occurrence at Gwithian and being out in nature and not at a desk is inspiring to Ian.

On the future of surfing Ian says: “Surfing is such a huge sport, I think more and more people will surf for fun, not for competition. It’s becoming more inclusive to everyone.

“I work with the Wave Project – A surf therapy project and see how much it helps people who come through.

I think Doctors will start prescribing sports like surfing to help with mental health rather than medication. We will see more people referred from their GP, which is great.”

Surfing has always been great therapy for me !

To find out more:
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/sports/surfing/team/asi-trainer-ian-gabbitas
 

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About ASI

ASI is a professional membership organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
We set the standards for education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for our members, offering pathways from entry level to elite level.
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ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.
www.academyofsurfing.com