Surf Coach: Progression

Why become a surf instructor

 

• One of the most rewarding jobs there is! Imparting your passion, skills and knowledge and seeing your customers stoked on learning surfing!
• Uniquely amazing lifestyle and culture working with likeminded and passionate people
• Earn a living doing what you love whilst developing your people, leadership and coaching skills

What is surf instructor training? – Is this for you?

 

• This is the first step on your surf coaching journey, you will learn fundamental ‘how to coach’ and technical skills enabling you to safely deliver beginner surf lessons
• The course is a mix of theory delivered online or in workshops and practical learning and mentoring on the beach with a competency assessment
• You will leave as a qualified surf instructor ready to join a surf school and start coaching beginner groups in waist depth water

Course Information

 

The course is due to be launched in spring 2023, working with Surfing England accredited surf schools and senior surf coaches around the country to deliver the award and give new surf instructors the best possible start to their surf coaching careers. The following information may evolve slightly as course details are finalised before launch.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum level of surfing ability:
  • Can paddle out and duck dive
  • Able to catch green waves, bottom turn and trim left and right
• Surf Safeguarding training
• Signed Coaches Code of Conduct
• Up to date Beach Lifeguard award or valid Surf lifesaving award
• Prospective instructors with a disability can attain the award through verbally explaining and showing all of the required knowledge and skill of delivery where they cannot safely physically demonstrate. This allows you to instruct with the assistance of a certified beach lifeguard.

Course content:

• 8 online learning modules (can also be taken as a two day workshop)
• Practical training and competency assessment

Age limits:

• At 16 become a junior instructor – You can operate supervised by an adult surf instructor
• At 18 become a surf instructor

Course length & assessment

• Approximately 10 hours of theory to be studied at your own pace with leaning checks and gateways.
• Approximately 20 hours of practical training and mentoring with a Surfing England senior coach

Course training delivery options

Online learning modules at your own pace, anywhere, anytime

OR

2 ‘classroom’ days within a surf school setting

PLUS

approx. 20 hours +/- of trained & mentored practice on the beach plus assessment

Cost £300 GBP

Scope:  This award is designed for new surf instructors and aims to ensure a minimum level of competence for safe working within a surf school environment, delivering beginner lessons in primarily wading depth water in safe conditions to groups of no more than 8. Holders of the qualification will need to work within the guidance and safety management systems of an accredited surf school or club, taking account of local conditions and location specific risk assessments and operating procedures. New instructors taking the award with a disability that limits their physical ability to deliver or demonstrate the content will be qualified to surf instruct only in partnership with a fully qualified beach lifeguard or suitably experienced surf coach.