THE STORY
1999
THE BEGINNING
Paracademy was founded in 1999 by Neil Godbold and was one of the UK's first kitesurfing centres for not only participant training but also instructor training. Neil and his team bought many into kite sports, and gave many a career world wide. One particular highlight included training a team of service personnel to snow kite to the South Pole! Neil was also one of the original instructor trainers and traveled the world training instructors who now run many of the centres Robin has visited and worked at over the years.
Current owner Robin came onto the scene in 2000 and learnt to kitesurf with the help of his dad Mike (holding him down to the left) and the Paracademy team in Portland. He went on to become BKSA Junior Champion in 2004 before moving into the professional category.
In his early years, as much as Robin enjoyed the local vulture bank residents (kiters) throwing stones at him for being the only one small enough to ride, he wanted to encourage other kids into the sport. With the help of Neil and his team at Paracademy they ran Junior Kitesurf Days to get children into kitesurfing for a low cost.
Paracademy / Weymouth & Portland Kitesurfing Club Trip to Lagos in Portugal.
Neil Godbold: Paracademy Founder
South Pole Expedition Team trained by Neil Godbold
PART TWO
KITE, TEACH, KTA, REPEAT
Late 2000s saw the departure of Neil, where he travelled to the sun and warmth of Asia and set up the infamous Kite Tour Asia. Paracademy staff member Spencer took over the helm and manned Paracademy, keeping the spirit alive introducing hundreds of new students to the sport and bringing some great new instructors into the team also.
Coming out of school Robin was taken under Spencers wing and trained to become an instructor, where he worked at Paracademy through to 2013, spending his winters travelling the world teaching at various locations like Freestyle Academy in Boracay, Philippines (Owner Ken Nacor was taught by Neil and spent a summer with the crew at Paracademy in Portland!). Over the years we had so many great sessions with so many awesome people!
What happened to Neil? Not lost on the KTA (though we are sure many were...), Neil and Robins paths were to cross again. Whilst in the Philippines working Robin would often compete in the Philippines leg of the Kite Tour Asia. Later, Robin became part of the legendary KTA judging team.
Web Chief Derek, Neils partner Ray, Spencer at Paracademy
Robin and Al, kiting in Portland Harbour in the early days.
Robin, Dylan, Neil, Ros, Sukie (514Elemental) at the Boracay leg of the KTA.
TODAY
PARACADEMY > >
FLOW BOARDSPORTS
In 2013 Robin went on to open up his own centre (514Elemental) alongside Sukie Robertson, at Sukie's home spot of Westward Ho! North Devon. They ran the BKSA school here and have an active kids club 'Kite Kids' which has produced an incredible 3 Junior Kitesurf Champions.
Early 2021 we could not have been more stoked to receive a phone call from Spencer to take on the legacy of Paracademy.
The first year back in Portland has been fantastic, with some great clients, a new kids club and working alongside the RYA on the Foil Futures project.
For 2022 we have rebranded to Flow Boardsports and are looking forward to teaching so many of you to enjoy not only the sport of kitesurfing but the lifestyle it has to offer.
3 x Under 18s Champions. Jas, Junior Girls Champ, Toby, Youth Champ and Alex, Junior Boys Champ
Aura - Ladies Coaching Camp with BKSA national Freestyle coaches Sukie and Robin.
2017 BKSA Pro Ladies Freestyle Champion - Sukie
MEET THE TEAM
ROBIN
Kiting: 22 years
Teaching: 14years. IKO Level 2 Senior Instructor, BKSA Senior Instructor, BKSA Foiling Instructor, BKSA National Coach in Freestyle, Wave & Foiling diciplines.
Favourite Discipline: Big Air, Freestyle
Favourite Trick: Double S 2 Blind
Favourite Place Kited: Seco Island, Philippines..
Favorite Competition results / Acheivements: 3rd Pro Mens - King of the Exe 2018, Masters Champion – 2018 British Kitesurfing Championships. 1st Pro Men – KTA Boracay 2010. British Kitesurfing Championships, Junior Champion 2004. Redbull Ragnarok. Redbull Coast to Coast.
AL
Kiting: 18 Years
Teaching: 12 Years. IKO Level 2 Senior, BKSA Level 2.
Favourite Discipline: Freeride
Favourite Trick: Double Frontloop Downloop. Thats a Double Front Contraloop for the new schoolers...
Favourite Place Kited: Palm Island, The Grenadines.
With over 18 years of kiting under his belt, Al is a man of style, known for his old school moves on the water. Rumor has it he's got a pretty good dark slide... He's been a regular in Portland for many years, both him and Robin worked together for Spencer at Paracademy many moons ago!
JOSH
Kiting: 3 Years
Teaching: 6 Years. RYA Intermediate Windsurf, RYA Advanced Windfoil, RYA Sailing Instructor, BKSA Senior Instructor.
Favourite Discipline: Freeride
Favourite Trick: Tantrum (Backflip)
Favourite Place Kited: Gwithian, Cornwall.
With years of watersports instruction nailed Josh recently found his love for Kitesurfing. Since then he has worked teaching Kitesurfing across the UK and various centres across the globe. He knows his way around a surfboard too, so for better top and bottom turns.. he's the man!
ELLIE
Kiting: 6 Years
Favourite Discipline: I have to say foiling, but outside of that either big air or wave riding.
Favourite Trick: If its tricks I can actually do... probably Kiteloop.
Favourite Place Kited: Mexico
Starting out on the water as a sailor Ellie has been hitting the water in the harbour every windy day for the last 6 years kiting. Part of the British Sailing Team, Ellie has many podium finishes under her belt and has insane skills on the water. She's also got very good at swimming in light winds, so you are in good hands!
FRANCESCA
Kiting: Not really sure to be honest, going to say 6-7years.
Favourite Discipline: Can't say, depends on the conditions. I think Big air or Strapless... (but also foiling)
Favourite Trick: Kite Loop Late Backroll
Favourite Place Kited: Cape Town or Mauritus
Francesca has been around on the UK Freestyle scene for a while now with a bundle of podium finishes in the bag. Often found high in the sky, her love for sending it, just came together and bagged her the win at the Big Air Kite League in South Africa!