Bret Dow

I grew up in various places around Europe due to my mother’s job as a perfumist/flavourist, so I never quite know where to say I’m from! My mother is French and my father is Scottish, and they are now based in Bonn, Germany. Their love for the ocean and mountains meant I had a very outdoorsy upbringing, but the place I feel most attached to is Brittany, France, where I grew up surfing and sailing.

My early years were also spent skateboarding and training for climbing when I was on the Belgian national team. However, my passion for climbing outdoors soon overtook competition, taking me on climbing adventures across Europe with my brother. This eventually led me to discover The Climbing Academy in Spain. I attended the Climbing academy for two years and the Kite Academy for one year, as my love for surfing also transitioned into a passion for kitesurfing.

The diversity of kiting disciplines is what really draws me to the sport, allowing me to be out on the water as much as possible, no matter the conditions. As a former student at World Class, I strongly believe in its educational model, which balances athletics with academics. The small class sizes, mentoring, and unique educational approach have shaped who I am today.

This experience also set me up perfectly for my time in Exeter, England, where I continued to pursue my passions for surfing, climbing, and kiting alongside my studies.

Teaching at WCKA is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me to give back some of the experiences I had. I am thrilled to use my political knowledge to teach World History and support students’ progress in their athletic pursuits, fostering their growth both in and out of the classroom.