12/06/2026
Two Sandboarders Earn Elite Instructor Certification at Sand Master Park
FLORENCE, OR — June 11, 2026 — Sand Master Park proudly announced Peruvian professional sandboarding champion Gerson Valle and Florence sandboard instructor David Edge have successfully completed the requirements to earn their Level One Sandboard Instructor Certification through the Dune Riders International (DRI) certification program.
The certification was awarded following a comprehensive training and evaluation process conducted at Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon. Dune Riders International serves as the governing body for national and international sandboarding competitions and is recognized worldwide for certifying sandboard instructors, competition judges, and event organizers.
The program was founded by Florence resident Lon Beale, known throughout the sandboarding community as “Doctor Dune.” Beale is the founder of both Dune Riders International and Sand Master Park and has spent decades promoting the sport of sandboarding around the globe.
To earn certification, candidates must complete a series of observed instructional sessions and receive evaluations from four additional certified instructors. These observations provide applicants with practical teaching experience, professional feedback, and mentorship from seasoned instructors. Upon completion of the instructional requirements, candidates must successfully pass a 14-question examination administered by the DRI President. Graduates are then formally recognized during a private certification dinner ceremony.
With only 11 DRI-certified sandboard instructors worldwide, Valle and Edge now join one of the sport’s most exclusive professional groups. Their achievement marks an important milestone in the continued growth and professional development of sandboarding instruction.
The newly certified instructors may now pursue the next level of DRI certification, which focuses on teaching and managing larger instructional groups. The certification process typically requires several months to complete and is conducted entirely on-site at Sand Master Park, the world's first sandboard park and a leading destination for sandboarding instruction.
About Dune Riders International
Dune Riders International (DRI) is the internationally recognized organization dedicated to advancing the sport of sandboarding through instructor certification, competition standards, judge training, and event organization worldwide.
About Sand Master Park
Located in Florence, Oregon, Sand Master Park is the world's first sandboard park and has introduced thousands of visitors to the sport through lessons, equipment rentals, competitions, and professional instruction on the Oregon Coast dunes.
Photo Caption
Pictured left to right: Gerson Valle, Lon Beale ("Doctor Dune"), and David Edge at Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon, on June 11, 2026.
