My first work IROCKER_SYNDICATED_6-4-2019_BECOME_ISUP_INSTRUCTOR | Page 2

25
Jan
Stand up paddle board instructor Michael Conforti giving a water tour of
Magen’s Bay, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
So, you’ve mastered the skill and art of iSUP. Have you thought about
passing on your knowledge to a paying audience? What about using your
super SUP skills to give water tours?
People who are eager to get in shape, get on the water or learn the world’s
most awesome water sport are also willing to pay for your iSUP know-how.
I was recently in the Virgin Islands and stumbled upon a guy named Michael
Conforti who had a fleet of stand up paddle boards lining the beach
at Magen’s Bay. When he saw me on my board, he offered me a tour of St
John by iSUP. Count me in!
Along our route, Michael filled me on his SUP gig in paradise. He generates
all of his business by word-of-mouth and a free Craigslist ad, offering lessons,
buying advice and water tours of the glorious beaches in his backyard.
Michael is a retiree from New York who traded the running world for stand up
paddle when he found a good deal on a post-hurricane waterfront home.
While he still owns his stateside chain of custom running shops, Caribbean
stand up paddle boarding now owns his heart.
“I charge $55 per hour for lessons, including beginner and expert lessons.
Island water tours are $60 per hour,” Michael says.
Tours can be given at any of the iconic St Thomas and St John beaches, with
stops built in for beach bars, live island music and souvenir shopping.
Tip: if you’re thinking of giving tours on your iROCKER, be sure to carry
a cooler deck bag filled with complimentary drinks and a dry bag to hold any
trinkets your customers carry back.
The SUP Tour Craze
Michael isn’t alone. Wherever you’ve seen surf boards, canoes, kayaks and
tubes, SUP tours are popping up.