Shirley Heineman
SUP Instructor
Joined Mike’s Paddle: 1st lesson in 2014, but sucked into "Mike-verse" in 2017... Croatia as motivation
Paddling Since: 1996
Favorite Board: Hala Atcha 86
Favorite Paddle: Black Project Hydro Paddle
Favorite Paddling Spot: Costa Rica - warm waters!
Certifications:
- American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 1 & 2 SUP Instructor
- American Canoe Association (ACA) Coastal SUP Instructor
Find her on the water: EFoiling, Kayaking (Whitewater & Coastal)
Other Favs: Reading fantasy fiction
About Shirley:
I started paddling many moons ago as a student with UCSF's outdoor program, Outdoors Unlimited. It was a great introduction to paddlesports like kayaking, rafting, canoeing (both river and ocean) surf and flatwater. I became a volunteer instructor (after all, what better way to learn than to teach?), then subsequently became an ACA certified ocean kayak instructor teaching out of Point Reyes.
Starting a family put teaching paddling on hold for many years, but those years included many week-long river camping trips. Now that my kids can (finally) drive, I've jumped into SUP with both feet, becoming ACA certified to teach about a year ago, after joining the race team in many local races and paddling in Croatia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and New Zealand. I love the freedom on a board: I can stand, sit, kneel, down dog with yoga, tabletop with pilates, and even hold a (brief) headstand! The best part about teaching is sharing the stoke and my love of paddling, especially with my Mike's Paddle family.
