Meet Virginia Dan! An ASI SUP instructor based on the south coast of NSW

AUSTRALIA. Meet Virginia Dan! An ASI SUP instructor based on the south coast of NSW. A windsurfer of many years she was introduced to SUP by a friend. Combining her love for the outdoors and on the water, she tells us how being an ASI instructor is the ideal career for her. 

 

My father was an Australian diplomat and ambassador so I grew up in different countries around the world- Australia, India, France, Indonesia, Argentina and Chile. I’ve also lived in Italy, Spain and New Zealand.  I have been windsurfing for many years. It actually helps with picking out quiet locations for beginners to learn SUPing since I have a lot of experience with varying weather conditions. I’m also a personal trainer and a qualified teacher as mentioned before. I love working outdoors and on the water with people, so being an ASI instructor is ideal. 

 

I have a teaching degree in languages (Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education, Sydney Uni), so I speak Spanish but very rusty with the other languages- Italian, German and French. I am also a personal trainer and windsurf instructor (Sailing Australia).

 

My friend wanted to start up a watersports business and wanted to include SUPing, so he introduced me to it. We did the SUP instructor’s course together in Sydney so that we’d be qualified to teach. 

 

I have been working as a SUP instructor ever since for various SUP schools. I also still do some personal training and windsurf instructing. I recently learned how to surf, which I’m really enjoying, and the south coast of NSW, where I live now, is perfect for it and for the other water sports like SUPing. 

 

I’m proud to be an ASI instructor since the training is professional and thorough. I also feel like a valued member of the ASI. It’s also nice that it’s an international organisation and offers opportunities to work overseas. It is rewarding to teach and to see that most people can progress and enjoy the sport.

 

Covid-19 has caused school groups that we get through the year to cancel their school camps, so there have been very few lessons this year. 

 

Apart from adventuring and exploring locations on the SUPs, clients get to paddle over ocean creatures like sting rays and large fish which is always fascinating. On one occasion, I was paddling with a school group when a large red bellied black snake crossed our path. Luckily, it is not an aggressive species!

 

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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.

International Instructor and Coach Accreditation. You can travel the world with ASI.

ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.

 

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