Meet ASI SUP instructor - Franca Oud van Neijenhof - Netherlands

THE NETHERLANDS.  Our ASI instructors come from all walks of life and Franca Oud Van Neijenhof decided to make the move to train as an ASI SUP instructor after many years working as a legal Secretary in the city of Amsterdam.

Working indoors all day her body suffered with repetitive strain injury in her shoulders and wrists. After trying SUP, she was instantly hooked. She bought one for herself and a few months later another for her husband.

Franca recounts her first experience of SUP with her husband and dog. She says: “The first time we went out together with my dog on the board in front of me, it was amazing. We watched a Grebe diving water bird with babies on her back. The bird dived under water and swam with her babies on her back under water. From that day I decided to quit my desk job to be on the water forever.”

Franca qualified with the ASI Level 1 instructor course and started her own SUP school IK SUP Schermer in 2016. She says: “It was the best decision of my life.  I went to Portugal to do the ASI SUP Instructor course and I hope to do the ASI Level 2 Instructor course in Haarlem this year 2018”

Being a SUP instructor has transformed her life. She adores meeting people with the same spirit and sense of adventure who come to her SUP School.

Franca says: “The best moments are when I teach young people who are so daring. They love to jump and have fun on the boards. My most favorite time of day out on the water is when the sun is almost gone and the sky turns gold. It’s pretty special.”
 
Franca’s SUP School, IkSUP Schermer is based in Zuidervaart just 30 mins drive or 20 mins by train from Amsterdam. SUP lessons and tours are conducted on the Eilandspolder. An extremely large wetland area that was diked in the 13th century and which is not far from the sea. The area is rich in birdlife and waterfowl. There are also lots of natural lakes and wide watercourses great for paddling and exploring by SUP.
 
Do you have an interesting story to tell us here at ASI about your experiences as an instructor? Get in touch at:  info@academyofsurfing.com
 
 
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