With over 20 winter seasons under his belt and having trained instructors for BASI for 10 years, Paul has a wealth of technical knowledge to pass on, as well as patience and teaching skills honed through countless hours coaching snowboarders from first-timers to the highest level riders.

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Hertfordshire but I’ve lived mostly in France, Spain and even Russia for a while.

How and when did you get into snowboarding?
I grew up around my parents’ watersports centre in Spain teaching watersports and spending my free time windsurfing and wakeboarding, so it was only natural for me to discover snowboarding back in the days when it was relatively unknown to the masses. My first winter in the mountains was back in the ’90s in Val d’Isere riding a Crazy Banana board and wearing a fluoro Nevica jacket. There were only a handful of snowboarders on the slopes and we were seen as rebels in those days!

After so many years riding what keeps you on the slopes?
Snowboarding has given me so much over the years: travel, friendships and good times. It’s taught me about myself and other people. The amazing thing is that there is always something new to learn, no matter how good you are. For me, it’s just as satisfying to help a beginner take his or her first steps as it is to train an instructor.

Which countries have you been riding in?
Andorra, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, South Korea, USA and Russia!

Snowboarding highlights?
Far too many special moments to mention but I particularly enjoyed representing the UK with the BASI Demo Team in South Korea in 2007

Favourite quote?
“The harder I practice, the luckier I get”