ISA Coaching & Instructing Accreditation Course
Official Presenter
Name: Tasha Mentasti
Nationality: South Africa
E-mail address: tmentasti@gmail.com
Where are you from and where do you currently live?
From Durban, South Africa and currently living in Cape Town, South Africa working as Operations Manager for Surfing South Africa as well as contracted as an ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Official Course Presenter for SSA.
What is the country and region where you conduct ISA Coaching & Instructing Courses?
I am the official ISA course presenter for all ISA Level 1 Surf instructor courses facilitated by SSA.
Number of years as a surfer and surf instructor?
I have been surfing for 19 years, competed on the ASP WQS for many years as well as the SSA PST locally. I am a formed national coach for the SA Junior Surfing Team between 2005 and 2007. I have been coaching both individuals and teams for the past 10 years.
Why the decision to become a surf instructor and/or coach?
I initially started surf coaching in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 when I based myself there to compete on the ASP WQS tour. This was one form of income to help pursue my dream of competing on the ASP WCT. Due to a serious injury while in Mexico surfing I had to return home to South Africa for rehabilitation. I started up a small mobile surf school in 2004 in Durban, South Africa and this is where I started focusing seriously on surf coaching. I am a qualified SSA Level 3 surf coach and an accredited ISA Level 2 surf coach. I have always enjoyed watching the big smiles, the stoke, and the excitement that beginner surfers get when they stand up on their first wave. This small but very significant moment in their lives always takes me back to my roots.
What are your goals in respects to surf instruction?
Since I started competing in surf events at the age of 13, I have had the pleasure of working with South Africa’s best surf coaches throughout my surfing career, namely, Graham Hynes, Bruce Jackson, Bill Sharp, Ant Brodowicz, Spider Murphy, Howie Gold, Quintin Jones, Clayton Neinaber and Llewellyn Whittaker. These surf coaches all taught me various aspects of what makes up a truly committed professional surfer. From the basics of surfing top to bottom to video analysis I have been able to work hand in hand with these coaches and formulate my own specific coaching program which I incorporate for all individual up and coming young South African junior surfers that I have coached throughout the years. I also still compete on the local PST and am involved in all surf events held throughout the year in SA. I believe that surfing is a truly unique sport that I am very privileged to be involved with at such a high level. The sport of surfing in South Africa has changed dramatically since Apartheid and I have been able to witness the growth of the sport among the rural communities of SA. This is where surf coaching is becoming so important in the country, the need to educate people in bigger numbers about the rules and regulations of surfing. It is also a much healthier way of living and helps keep the kids off the streets and out of trouble. I now prefer presenting the surf courses and manage the various SSA development projects and initiatives than charging for surf lessons. I would like to see more development surf academies and NPO’s have qualified surf instructors that work in a mentorship environment whereby the surfers of communities work
together to bring about more community enriched, safe beaches where everyone enjoys the magic of the ocean and the beauty of the waves. Education through sport is the way forward. It enriches people’s lives as well as teaching them a form of trade and helps them to be able to financially support themselves and their families.
What is your favorite surf break?
New Pier, Durban; Supertubes, Jeffrey’s Bay; Vic Bay, George; Trestles, California; Mundaka, Spain; Velzyland, North Shore, Hawaii.
Do you have a hobby other than surfing?
I have started SUPing and enjoy hiking and travelling (if you can call that a hobby).
Who first taught you to surf and where?
My dad on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa in 1993. Never looked back.
