18 November 2024, Cherating-Malaysia: The first ISA Surf Coaching Level 1 course to be held in Cherating, and the second to be held in Malaysia this year was completed yesterday, with 9 surf instructors from Terengganu, Kedah (Langkawi), Cherating, Sabah, and Singapore joining in the 6 day program that included a day of open sea lifesaving-rescue training, two days of ISA Surf Coaching, and three days of practical training from 12-17 November under the direction of ISA Course Presenter Jonni Morrison-Deaker.
Organized by Malaysia’s governing body for surfing, Persatuan Luncur Ombak Malaysia (PLOM), and the Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC), this program is the beginning of a renewed effort to expand surfing development in Malaysia. Further plans include organizing ISA Judging certification programs and competition surfing events around the country to provide a pathway to develop surfing talents towards the ultimate goal of getting a Malaysian surfer into the Olympics.
The participants received both theory and practical training during the 6 days, and when all the requirements are met, they will receive their Level 1 Coaching certification from the International Surfing Association, which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing and is the most long running surfing organization in the world, just having celebrated its 60th birthday.
Ivan M. Dominero came from Sabah to attend the course, and afterwards he said, “I’m really happy I joined this ISA instructor Level 1 course, as it taught me how to conduct proper surf classes and improve my personal surfing skills as well. I learned so much from the experienced instructor Mr. Jonni Deaker. I highly recommend this course to anyone that wants to take their teaching to the next level. Thank you PLOM for organizing such a great course…this experience has been invaluable.”
The only non-Malaysian in the course was Yulu Zhang from Singapore, the only female to join the program. “A big thanks to everyone here, and a special thanks to Jonni for taking us through this comprehensive and detailed training programme over the last few days,” Said Zhang. “Also thanks Pinky and PLOM/PlOP for making this event happen and to all my classmates who helped and shared your smile with me. I definitely will come back here to Cherating again! This is not an end for this class, but a new chapter in my surfing journey. I hope the surfing industry blooms further and more people enjoy riding waves. Finally, the most important thing I learned from this course is the systematic way of learning surfing, explaining and teaching it. Regardless of the wave condition, there is always a way to practice.”
Jonni Morrison-Deaker is the owner of the Rip Curl School of Surf in Bali, Indonesia, and has been teaching surfing in Bali and around the Asian Region for more than 25 years, and this year has presented ISA surf coaching courses in Desaru (Malaysia), Myanmar, Lombok, and Bali prior to coming here to Cherating, and has one more course planned in December (West Sumbawa) to complete a busy 2024.
When asked for a few words on his experience in Cherating, Morrison-Deaker replied, “What an amazing week in a beautiful location. The people, the wave, the cafes and of course the cakes! So nice to have so many regions of Malaysia represented and such a talented group of surfers attending; I really felt that this ISA surf instructor program bought a lot of awareness and knowledge to each of them. The three days of accumulated hours was the perfect opportunity for me to pass on teaching skills and exercises for multiple levels and conditions. Finally, a big thank you to Abang Kam, Pinky and Takin from PLOM for all the organization and hosting us this week. I can’t wait to come back to Cherating again.”
PLOM’s president Kamaruzaman bin Mohd was also very pleased with the results of the program, saying “From PLOM, we are proud to have successfully completed the ISA Surf Instructor Course level 1 for the first time in Cherating Beach here in Pahang. This course is an excellent initiative as it combines the passion for surfing with the responsibility of teaching and ensuring safety. By providing structured training, it not only builds skilled instructors but also promotes professionalism, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the ocean. Thank you so much to ISA and ASC for playing a pivotal role in the global surfing community, and a special thanks to Pak Tim, Jonni, Alex and Takin who made this event possible. Your hard work, dedication, and support have been the driving force behind its success. We truly appreciate your efforts in bringing this vision to life.”
Consistent with the ASC’s mission to develop and grow the sport of surfing in the Asian Region, the ASC is grateful for the opportunity to work with PLOM and the ISA to provide the resources and help organize programs like this, and is committed to providing further assistance to help support and encourage the growth of surfing in Malaysia in 2025.
This ISA Surf Coaching Level 1 program was organized by PLOM and the ASC, and supported by Royal Chulan Cherating Chalets, Residence Inn Cherating, and Kam’s Surf Shack.
About the ASC
The Asian Surf Cooperative is a professional surfing organization with 20 years of experience in organizing, managing and supporting surfing events and providing educational programs around the Asian region.
The ASC’s mission is to grow the sport of surfing in Asia by offering reliable and consistent resources and assistance to both small and large organizations as they work to progress the sport and their surfing athletes, including consulting and management, live computer scoring, certified judges and professional staffing, event media packages, athlete management, and site surveys, as well as ISA surf instructor and judging/officiating programs.
See more at www.asiansurf.co and @asiansurfco
About PLOM
Persatuan Luncur Ombak Malaysia is the recognised national governing body to represent the sport of surfing, bodyboarding & stand up paddling (SUP) in Malaysia on a national and an international level.
Formed in 2019, PLOM has managed the national surfing team at Philippines 2019 SEA Games for Men’s & Women’s Shortboard & Men’s Longboard Category.
We are a membership based organisation and currently have 5 state surfing associations registered as our affiliated members. See more at https://www.surfingmalaysia.org and https://web.facebook.com/SurfingMalaysiaAssociation and on IG at @persatuanluncurombakmalaysia
About the ISA
The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. The ISA governs and defines Surfing as Shortboard, Longboard & Bodyboarding, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Para-Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Federations of 116 countries on five continents.
Its headquarters are located in Cardiff, California (USA).
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