In this episode we feature Ben Longhurst, the Technical Director of the innovative (and now extinct) UK organisation, The Water Skills Academy (WSA).

Water Skills Academy cover a number of bases … they run expeditions and SUP holidays across the world, they run SUP industry events and in person events to inspire and keep paddlers informed and they were particularly active during the initial UK lockdowns with webinars...which certainly kept morale up when we couldn't get onto the water

WSA's core mission is to offer courses to build skills and certify instructors for adventure guiding, surfing, lifesaving and a number of other specialisms. The topic of instructors isn’t something which we’ve covered before on the podcast, and while there are some clear benefits to getting coached, whatever your level, there are also real benefits to becoming an instructor, because it's fun particularly introducing people into the sport.

Ben is an experienced adventurer in his own right and we also talk about his experience descending the worlds deepest gorge in Nepal and the west coast of Scotland

In the episode we also talk about:

Sian Sykes' SUPfm Episode which is here: https://www.supfmpodcast.com/episode/circumnavigating-wales-by-sup-and-other-adventures

WSA's Lockdown Webinars here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7USWXLNQdYDnBXJZ-AkTlbFn8R6kKsp_

Check out the video of Ben's spectacular expedition in Nepal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH4Ts3XTnZg

Visit the WSA Website here : https://www.waterskillsacademy.com/

Connect with WSA on social media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/waterskillsacademy

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/waterskillsacademy/

This episode is brought to you in association with Starboard.

Starboard has a long history in board design, with Svein Rasmussen entering the windsurfing market with innovative designs back in 1994, building the brand to become market leader within a decade. The brand was quick to recognise the huge potential of stand up paddling and while maintaining careful consideration for their environmental impact, have continuously strived to produce the best boards and paddles for all abilities.

Visit Starboard at https://sup.star-board.com/

Keep up with SUPfm on Facebook: @SUPfmPodcast  Instagram: @supfmpodcast or subscribe to our newsletter and get your free guide to the best apps we recommend, to live your best SUP life (scroll down) https://www.supfmpodcast.com/

Our comprehensive online SUP safety course gives you the knowledge you need to keep safe on the water and all for less than the price of an hours on water tuition (£37) .

It's available here at https://supfm.thinkific.com/

See you on the water!

Mentioned in this episode:

Hutch Sup Wear - Final Sale - 50% Off Everything Here

After 10 years, the original stand-up paddleboarding clothing brand, Hutch SUP Wear, is closing its doors for good. Everything must go at a knockdown 50% off, using Code HUTCH50

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