Asian Surf Performance Academy (ASPA)

Monday, 14 April 2025, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu: The International Surfing Association (ISA) Flat Water Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Instructor and Aquatic Rescue Course concluded yesterday at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu, with 17 participants receiving certificates of participation from Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah (KePKAS). This marks the successful completion of the first ISA-certified watersports instructional program held in Sabah.

Organized by Waterfly Borneo in collaboration with the ISA and the Asian Surf Cooperative, the program represents a significant milestone in the development of Sabah’s watersports tourism sector. It also underscores KePKAS’s commitment to ensuring a safe and high-quality experience for both international and domestic visitors.

“It’s very important to us that visitors feel—and are—safe when they’re here,” said Permanent Secretary Josie Lai. “We initiated this program to encourage all operators to prioritize tourist safety. Our goal is for every operator and instructor to join certification programs like this, equipping themselves with the proper skills and training to ensure the safety of guests and the local community alike.”

“We will continue supporting initiatives like this to ensure instructors and operators are fully knowledgeable and competent,” Lai added.

The 7-day course began on Monday, April 7, at the Kinabalu Yacht Club. The first four days featured a mix of classroom instruction and practical training along the beachfront. The 17 participants represented 14 watersport operators from across Sabah, predominantly from the Kota Kinabalu area.

Over the remaining three days, participants applied their training at various real-world locations, including island and river sites and a luxury hotel setting, under the guidance of ISA Presenter Jonni Morrison-Deaker.

“Sabah offers an incredible variety of watersports locations,” said Morrison-Deaker. “We exposed participants to a diverse set of environments so they could put their skills into practice in realistic scenarios. It was inspiring to watch their confidence and capabilities grow throughout the course.”

Morrison-Deaker is the owner of the Rip Curl School of Surf in Bali and brings over 30 years of experience in surfing, sailing, kiting, SUP, and foiling. He has served as an ISA Presenter in Asia since 2016.

Sheldon George of Shangri-La Tanjung Aru shared his personal experience from the course:

“I thought we’d just learn the basic SUP techniques—standing up, paddling—but the course emphasized safety, communication, and proper preparation. I now feel much more confident as an instructor, and I’m grateful to KePKAS, Waterfly Borneo, and our ISA instructors for this opportunity. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with my team to elevate our service.”

The program was organized by Mitch Cini and Sam Fernandez of Waterfly Borneo, based at the STAR Marina, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru. Fernandez, a seasoned watersports professional from Kota Kinabalu, reflected on the impact of the course:

“Before this course, we didn’t realize how much we didn’t know—especially in areas like emergency protocol and risk assessment. Now, we can apply this knowledge to strengthen our operations and improve safety standards. As one of only two female participants, I also hope this encourages more women to enter the industry and raise the bar for everyone.”

Over the final 2 days, over 50 participants including hotel guests joined complimentary SUP sessions led by the newly trained instructors. One participant, Monica from Hong Kong (currently based in Singapore), shared her experience:

“I had never been on a SUP board before, and I’m not a strong swimmer, but the instructors prepared me so well that I felt calm and balanced. I was able to stand up within 45 minutes. I’d definitely try this again on my next vacation!”

Founded in 1964, the International Surfing Association (ISA) is the recognized global authority for surfing and all wave-riding disciplines, including SUP racing and surfing, para-surfing, and bodysurfing. With member federations in 116 countries, the ISA is widely respected for its commitment to high-quality technical training and safety.