Course Overview

Introductory Surfing Instructor

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Dreaming of swapping your desk for a surfboard and making the ocean your daily workspace—but not quite ready for the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor course? Level 1 instructors can run lessons independently, anywhere in the world, so it requires strong surfing ability.

If you’re not there yet, the ASI Introductory Surfing Instructor course is the perfect stepping stone.

Your training covers all the information taught at Level 1, but is designed for surfers with basic intermediate skills (ASI Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate surfer) and a solid understanding of surf conditions, ideally supported by lifesaving experience or holding another watersports instructor certification.

This certification sits just below Level 1 and comes with a few limitations:

  • You can make up student to instructor ratios and deliver lessons, but an ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor must be present.

  • You can only work at a designated ASI-accredited surf school.

The best part? You can build your surfing skills while you work, gain real teaching experience, and upgrade to Level 1 Surfing Instructor when you’re ready.

You’ll be able to teach: beginner level

Teach:

In the following conditions:

  • Surf no larger than 1½ft (½ metre)

  • Water depth of chest deep or less

  • Sandy beach, free from rocks, rips and currents

After completing the course, you can:

  • Run safe, structured surfing lessons

  • Manage groups in the water

  • Offer basic surfing technique feedback

Notes:
An ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor must be at the beach or close enough for direct supervision.
For anyone under 18, a nearby adult instructor is required.
You still count for making up student to instructor ratios.

With your Introductory Surfing Instructor qualification, you can work as a surf instructor:

  • At a designated ASI accredited surf school

This course covers all essential skills for teaching beginning surfing lessons, including:

Laws & regulations:  that apply to conducting surfing lessons

Risk Management & safety: At the beginner level - ASI guidelines, identify and assess risks, strategies to minimise risk, conducting location and dynamic risk assessments, social & natural environmental impacts, emergency response

Environment:  social & natural environmental impacts and minimisation strategies

Logistics planning:   locations, equipment, back up, student types

Session planning: structuring beginner lessons, creating lesson plans, teaching progression, ASI Surf Wise programs level 1-3

Group management:  communication, positioning and client supervision

Client instruction:  instruction techniques for beginner level, methods to get beginners surfing with ease

Client assessment:  ASI  beginner level surfing criteria, beginner common mistakes, correcting technique

Professional standards: duty of care, codes of conduct, evaluating your own performance as a surf instructor,  industry expectations

To enrol, you must meet:

Minimum age: 16 years

Surfing experience: 200+ hours of surfing

Surfing knowledge and skills: equivalent to ASI Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate Surfer

Surfing ability: Able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on a softboard or fiberglass board, demonstrating good stance and control, in small surf.

Sponsored: by an ASI Accredited Surf School (school owner, holding minimum ASI Level 2 Surfing instructor certification)

Note:  Note: for Surf Wise Level 4, you only need to state on enrolment form you have these knowledge & skills.

Before you can be certified, you’ll need to complete the below:

Personal Surfing Ability: 
Demonstrate ASI Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate surfing ability -  surf wave from start to finish, performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on a softboard or fiberglass board, demonstrating good stance and control, in small surf.

Knowledge: 
Complete multi-choice online test
Submit a written assessment for delivering lessons

Practical:
Complete 25 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of beginner surfing lessons, at an ASI accredited surf school or other approved surf school.  Submit logbook of hours/experience

Submit Required Certificates:

Time to complete :  12 months

Workshop: Ideal for people who like to complete most of the course requirements at the workshop and interact with the trainer.

  • Face to face (in-person) training.

  • Duration:  2 days

  • Complete most course requirements at the workshop (take surfing video if possible, written assessment)

  • Video submission is required: surfing ability

  • 2 free video assessments

  • 5 hours practical experience signed off in workshop

Online Learning: Ideal for people who would like flexibility to complete their training.

  • Work at your own pace.

  • Face to face (in-person) practical hours experience required

  • Video submission: surfing ability

  • 2 free video assessments

ASI Apprenticeship: Gain real-world experience, complete assessments, under the expert guidance of an ASI Trainer.

  • This is a fast-tracked, practical on-the-job training program with online learning

  • 6 weeks to complete training

  • Flexible training schedule

  • Practical hours experienced organised by trainer

  • Trainer to review assessments and take your surfing video

  • Video submission is required: surfing ability

  • 2 free video assessments

All study options receive online access to:

  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual & assessments

  • Downloadable instructor logbook (for practical hours)

  • Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

  • Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

In addition: at the workshop, you also receive a paper copy of: 

  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual

  • Instructor logbook (for practical hours)

Plus:  ASI membership for 12 months.

ASI’s E-learning Platform 
Provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments, includes built-in language translation.

The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:

  • Surf clothing

  • Fibreglass surfboard or beginner soft-top board to demonstrate your own ASI Surf Wise L4 intermediate surfing skills

In addition:  

  • Computer or mobile phone to access ASI e-learning platform 

  • Video camera or mobile phone to take video of practical skills

ASI Introductory Surfing Instructor 
(valid for 12 months)

With the designated ASI Surf School name listed on the certificate.

You can continue your surf coaching development with:

  • ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor – surfing ability assessment only (teach independently at any location around the world)

  • ASI surf rescue training

  • Attending ASI Air Retreats (conference)

  • Globally recognised surf coaching qualifications

  • Industry‑leading safety and coaching standards

  • Flexible online and in‑person training

  • Clear career progression

  • Trusted by surf schools worldwide

READ: 10 Reasons to Become an ASI Instructor

(1) Can I make up the ratios for instructor to student requirements?
Yes - you will be a certified instructor so you are able to be counted in instructor to student ratios. 

(2) Can I work at other surf schools?
No. Not with this certification. 
You will need to obtain the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certification.

(3)  What do I need to do to upgrade to ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor?

  • Develop your surfing ability so you can surf at  ASI Surf Wise Intermediate Level 6 Surfer.  Be able to surf the wave from start to finish and perform bottom & top turn, cutback on forehand on the one wave, 3ft surf.

  • Apply for an Assessment upgrade.  Additional fees are payable.

  • You can upgrade at any time.

(4) Assessment Fees:  If you use up your free assessments, additional resubmissions are available for a small fee. Fees

MORE FAQ’s: click here

 

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