Having now completed three official visits to Fiji building developmental strategies and consulting for the FSA, Porto was interested to see what changes had occurred and what new structures had been put in place.
“It has been an honour once again to be asked to assist the Fiji Surfing Association in their development. On each visit I have received a warm response from surfers, instructors, operators, key stakeholders and FSA officials.”
Porto believes it is a very exciting time for surfing in Fiji with the Volcom Pro and other events highlighting the country as a world class surfing destination. He praises the FSA committee, volunteering area representatives and members on their hard work over the past six months and would like to thank all those involved in his most recent trip.
Porto conducted the second Level One Surfriding Instructors Course in July. With fifteen past students, there were a further nine who attended the most recent course in July at Yatule Resort, Natadola Beach.
The two day course covers key aspects of teaching surfing with focus also on risk management and safe practice. The participants are made more aware of their responsibilities as coaches as well as skill development in order to build understanding and achieve better outcomes. In order to gain accreditation, participants have to undertake twenty hours of practical coaching after completing the course.
The next Level One Surfriding Instructors course is scheduled for late January 2013, with the Level Two scheduled for early February. Please contact info@surfingfiji.com.fj if you are interested in participating.
Porto thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Tavarua and Namotu Islands which involved one on one coaching elite surfers Inia Nakalevu at Cloudbreak and Aca Ravulo at Tavarua Rights. Porto also conducted three Master Coach Courses in Suva, Coral Coast and Sigatoka, working with FSA’s area representatives and coaches.
Special thanks to Cole Speier, Alexander Bongers for their photography and Go Surf Fiji for making Porto’s road trip possible.
Check out a short clip of Ian ‘Porto’ Portingale’s (Australian Elite Surf Coach) two week trip on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151173015130120#!/photo.php?v=10151173015130120
