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Kota Kinabalu: A total of 17 participants took part in the International Surfing Association (ISA) Flat Water Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Instructor and Aquatic Rescue Course concluded at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.

The first ever ISA-certified watersports instructional programme to be held in Sabah was organised by Waterfly Borneo in collaboration with the ISA and the Asian Surf Cooperative.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah’s (KePKAS) permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, who presented the certificates to the participants from 14 operators in the State, said the programme represents a significant milestone in the development of Sabah’s watersports tourism sector. 

“This programme underscores KePKAS’ 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, and we initiated this programme to encourage all operators to prioritise 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,” she said.

The seven-day course began on April 7 starting at the Kinabalu Yacht Club with classroom instruction and practical training along the beachfront in the first four days followed by 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 in the remaining three days.

“Sabah offers an incredible variety of watersports locations and we were able to expose them 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,” said Morrison-Deaker who is the owner of the Rip Curl School of Surf in Bali and has 30 years of experience in watersports.