Become a surf instructor

Course Information

 

The course was launched in Spring 2023, working with Surfing England accredited surf schools and Trainer Assessors (TA’s) 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 Surfing England continue to develop the course.

Requirements

You can start the course straight away, but to complete and become certified as a Surfing England Surf Instructor you will need to meet and complete the following:

Demonstrate a minimum level of surfing ability:

• Able to paddle out and turtle roll
• Catch green waves, bottom turn and trim left and right

Complete the following:

• Signed Coaches Code of Conduct (within online learning course)
• Up to date Beach Lifeguard or Surf Lifesaving award (click for more info on which awards we recognise)

Requirement coming soon for all instructors:

• Completed Safeguarding training: Either the Surfing England Surf Safeguarding Course  or the NSPCC Safeguarding in Sport online module

For Disabled Trainees

A trainee surf instructor who is a disabled person and cannot fulfil all the safety / surf lifesaving and demonstration pre-requisite elements can attain this award as ‘Supported Surf Instructor’. They must be able to lead the lesson through verbal instruction. They are then supported by a colleague with a relevant surf lifesaving award and surfing experience; the group ratio changes from e.g. 1:8 to 2:8.

Age limits

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

Course content, length & assessment

• Approximately 10 hours of theory to be studied at your own pace – online learning system – with guided gateways and assessment questions.
• Approximately 20 hours of practical training and mentoring with a Surfing England Trainer Assessor.

Course training delivery options

Online learning modules at your own pace, anywhere, anytime

OR

2 ‘classroom’ days with your selected Trainer Assessor (please enquire with a TA first if wanting to take this option) within their Surfing England surf school setting

PLUS

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

Cost £300 GBP

Award Scope

This certification is tailored for novice surf instructors, ensuring a foundational level of competency within the dynamic surf school environment. Focused on delivering safe and effective beginner lessons in waist-depth waters, under controlled conditions for small groups (up to 8 participants), this award sets a standard for secure instruction.

Qualification holders are expected to align with the guidance and safety management systems of accredited surf schools or clubs, incorporating local conditions, site-specific risk assessments, and operational procedures into their practices. For new instructors facing physical limitations due to a disability, the qualification allows them to instruct, provided they collaborate with a fully qualified beach lifeguard or an experienced surf coach possessing a valid surf lifesaving award.

Coaching around the world

Check out the most up to date information about international recognition of our award.

Surf coaching overseas can often be a highlight in a coach’s career.  We hope you find this info useful. The Surfing England Trainer Assessors and Accredited Surf Schools’ network are a fountain of knowledge and experience of surf instructing, coaching, and training at all levels world-wide.

International recognition

Our new program is fast becoming recognised for its quality.  We are currently working with the international federation on international recognition for our award, which is already treated the same as the international federation’s award by these nations:

To coach in these nations the process required for the certified coach is exactly the same for both holders of the Surfing England Instructor-Recreation award and for holders of the ISA level 1 award

To coach in:

Australia https://surfingaustralia.com/
Do an assessed lesson, Do the national surf lifesaving award assessment, Take out Surfing Australia membership, (55$AUS at the time of writing)

New Zealand https://surfingnz.co.nz/
Complete the standardised transfer requirements set by surfing NZ

Portugal https://www.surfingportugal.com

‘Surfing Grau 1’ required by government authorities. E[1]learning sports coaching training (41 hours), then 6 days of workshops, followed by 550 hours internship (120 contact hours)

Spain https://www.fesurf.es/
https://www.fesurf.es/formacion/curso[1]entrenador-nacional-surfing-nivel-1-pf[1]112sfsf01/#1631628152561-6ab41de8- 10ce
Common block 60hrs + 2hr exam Specific block 86hrs (of which 48hrs in person) + 2hr exam Coaching practice 150 hrs

France https://www.surfingfrance.com/
https://www.guichet[1]qualifications.fr/en/dqp/sport/surf[1]instructor.html
DEJEPS is a Level 3-certified diploma (Bac 2/3). This diploma can be obtained by taking 700 hours of initial training in a training centre followed by 500 coaching /training hours in alternating structure or through the VAE.

Sign up now!
https://www.surfingengland.org/coaching-hub/become-a-surf-instructor/

Further info
https://www.surfingengland.org/coaching-hub/

Things to consider

There are lots of factors to consider when applying for work overseas.  We’ve pulled together a few points to help with that process.

• Get advice about travelling abroad, and check the latest detail for the country you are going to work in.
  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Check your status to work abroad and what visas you may need https://www.gov.uk/working-abroad
• Check that the surf school you intend to work for is accredited with its home federation / national governing body
• Check with the national governing body what additional qualifications or training you may need to undertake, including membership
• The ILS (International Lifeguarding Federation) has equivalency tables for your lifesaving qualification, and you may be asked for a certificate by a surf school or NGB. We would recommend doing the full NVBLQ – Detail and transfer through RLSS explained here https://www.rlss.org.uk/international-lifeguarding-qualification
• Ensure that you have appropriate insurance for working in that country as well as travel insurance