Long-time Crew member and newest instructor!
Dan (who we’ll call ‘Dan Hammer’ as the name ‘Dan’ is already taken – Ed.) has joined the Sun Turtle instructor team with his freshly-minted ASI Level 1 & 2 (plus Rescue, Sup Wise, and first aid – as you’d expect!). Congrats on earning the ticket to Dan, as a long-serving, hard-paddling Crew member and all-round good mate – on and off the water. A shout-out should also go to Janek, as this must be at least the fifth ASI instructor signed-off under his supervision (he’ll probably correct me that it’s many more! Ed.).
“there’s no better guide
to the North Wirral coast!”
As a local lad and a native to the Peninsula’s beaches, there’s no better guide to the North Wirral coast!
A twenty-plus year career in paddlesports
While we first met Dan Hammer back in early 2018, his associations with paddlesports stretches back much further. To 1999, in fact, when he spent three consecutive summers in the USA leading open canoe trips on the lakes and rivers of Michigan. From here, the Hammer – as he’d become known for his uncompromosing paddle stroke! – never looked back. While living, working and travelling throughout Australia and New Zealand for a total of eight years, he honed his waterman skills, learning from the best of the canoe and kayak fraternity. Dan also holds a Level 1 British Canoeing Paddlesports Instructor qualification.
“the nickname ‘Hammer’ comes from
Dan’s powerful SUP surf stroke!”
Like many in the Sun Turtle Crew, Dan Hammer is a keen SUP surfer and can help tailor coaching sessions for surf skills/techniques
A passion and aptitude for SUP surfing
The Hammer’s stand-up paddle board career began in early 2018 when – after his first stand-up paddle with the Sun Turtle Crew, he was hooked! He volunteered as an instructor at Liverpool Watersports Centre, earning his RYA Level 1 & 2 Powerboat tickets and giving back to the community through his energetic coaching and expert supervision. Dan’s rapidly developed a passion and an aptitude for SUP surfing, working his way up through progressively higher-performance boards (much to the pleasure of his partners at Fanatic!). Sun Turtle can tailor 1-2-1 or private group coaching for surf skills and technique, just enquire and let us know your requirements.
“Congrats Dan! Another
ASI-qualified instructor
joins the Sun Turtle team”
All our instructors hold ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) qualifications and both Dan Hammer and Janek are also qualified to run coastal sessions
Sun Turtle and Shaka SUP - a new name on the scene!
Since qualifying as an instructor, Dan has started his own SUP business Shaka SUP (with more details coming soon!). For now, check him out on social media. Dan will also be offering a range of Sun Turtle SUP sessions – whether taster sessions, improver coaching, or 1-2-1/private groups or events from Liverpool Watersports Centre, or coastal sessions further afield. Check out our SUP page for details on our current sessions and coaching or to enquire about a SUP session in Liverpool or North Wirral.
Keep an eye out for more news coming from Shaka SUP online and on social media.
So once again, congrats to Dan on his new qualifications and welcome to the instructor team!
