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.

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.

It’s designed for surfers with basic intermediate skills (ASI Surf Wise Level 4) and a solid understanding of surf conditions, ideally supported by lifesaving experience or holding another watersports instructor certification.

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.

Instruct beginner level surfing lessons and activities.

You will be qualified to instruct at locations with the following conditions:

1) Under the guidance of an ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor (who is at the beach or nearby).

2) Conditions:

  • Surf no larger than 1½ft (½ metre)

  • Water depth of chest deep or less

  • Sandy beach and ocean floor with even gradient (no rocks or reef) 

  • Free from rocks, free from rips, minimal lateral current, no dumping shore break

  • Wind less than 20 kph

  • The role of the surfing instructor

  • Identifying laws and regulations that apply to conducting surfing lessons

  • Client management and safety

  • Identifying surfing lesson risks and hazards

  • Emergency processes and responses

  • Logistics and how to plan surfing sessions

  • Suitable boards, equipment and resources

  • Communication skills for the surfing environment

  • Instruction and coaching methods

  • Creating lesson plans

  • Assessing students performance

  • Evaluating surfing lessons

  • Minimising environmental impacts (social & natural)

  • Surfing instructor in the surfing or outdoor recreation industry.

  • Industry job roles that require surfing knowledge (e.g. marketing sales, retail, travel)

Before enrolling in this course, you will have:

  • sponsorship from an ASI Accredited Surf School (school owner, holding minimum ASI Level 2 Surfing instructor certification)

  • English speaking skills (Online courses have translation options).

Plus Surfing Ability:

  • at least 200 hours surfing experience. 

  • surfing skills and knowledge equivalent to ASI Surf Wise Level 4.   Able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on softboard or fiberglass board, in small surf, demonstrating good stance and control.   

Plus:

  • prior experience working or volunteering as a surf lifesaver or lifeguard (at least one full season)

    or

  • hold another “surf related” watersports coaching certification

    or

  • hold another watersports coaching certificate and have at least 3 months experience  working at an ASI accredited surf school.

The following study options are available for this course.

Workshop:  An intensive course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group. 
Duration:  2 days. 

Flexible Online Learning:  Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform.  Upload video to demonstrate skills. 

Apprenticeship: A blend of online learning and hands-on, practical instruction. Gain real-world experience, complete assessments, and meet course requirements under the expert guidance of an ASI Trainer. 

Online Courses - ASI's E-learning Platform
ASI's e-learning platform provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments. Ability to upload assessment and monitor your own progress.

An intensive course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group. 
Duration:  2 days. 

What We Provide

  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (paper)

  • Surfing Instruction Logbook (paper)

  • Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)

  • Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)

  • 12 months ASI membership

  • 1 free assessment plus 1 free re-assessment

Course Requirements

At Workshop:

  • Complete theory assessments and exercises, practice at beach.

  • Demonstrate ASI Surf Wise Level 4 skills. Able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on softboard or fiberglass board, in small surf, demonstrating good stance and control.   Trainer will take video and submit to ASI.

  • Complete written assessment.

After Workshop:

Complete 25 practical hours experience with an ASI accredited surf school or other approved school. (5 hours signed off in workshop).

Other:

Note: Surf Rescue and First Aid Certificates can be provided before or after workshop or within 12 months of enrolment. 

Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform.  Upload video to demonstrate skills.  

What We Provide

  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (online access)

  • Downloadable Surfing Instructor logbook (for practical hours)

  • Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)

  • Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)

  • 12 months ASI membership

  • 1 free assessment plus 1 free re-assessment


Course Requirements

  • Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises

  • Submit 1 written assessment    

  • Complete online multi choice test - 15 questions

  • Submit video demonstrating ASI Surf Wise Level 4 skills. Able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on softboard or fiberglass board, in small surf, demonstrating good stance and control.   

  • Complete 25 practical hours experience with an ASI accredited surf school or other approved school.

Other:

A blend of online learning and hands-on, practical instruction. Gain real-world experience, complete assessments, and meet course requirements under the expert guidance of an ASI Trainer.

Usually completed over a period of up to 6 weeks. 
Includes 25 hours practical on the job instruction experience and approx. 1-2 hours theory per week (feedback sessions and homework). 

However, you have 12 months to complete all course requirements. 

First Step

Contact an ASI Accredited School and Trainer to see if they have availability.

What We Provide

  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (online access and paper manual)

  • Surfing Instructor logbook (for practical hours)

  • Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)

  • Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)

  • 12 months ASI membership

  • 1 free re-assessment

Course Requirements

Your Trainer will

  • Review and discuss theory topics.

  • Organise practical on-the-job instruction experience (25 hours).

For submission, with your trainers assistance:

  • Submit video demonstrating ASI Surf Wise Level 4 skills. Able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on softboard or fiberglass board, in small surf, demonstrating good stance and control.   

  • Written assessment

Other:

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

  • Surf clothing

  • Fibreglass or softboard surfboard to demonstrate intermediate surfing skills.

  • Beginner soft-top boards with soft fins and leash

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

In addition, for Online learning courses: 

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

The Certificate has the following wording:

ASI Foundation Surfing Instructor 

  • Instruct beginner surfing sessions under the guidance of an ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor.

  • Approved to only work with:  <name of ASI accredited surf school, location).

    (valid for 12 months)

ASI also issues education department approved training certificates. (excludes transfer/update course options).

Australia Only
ASI is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and also issues the following certificate to students undertaking training in Australia.
Australian Department of Education. Registered Training Organisation RTO ID 91496
Statement of Attainment in Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (SIS30619) 
for units of competency:


SISOFLD001 Assist in conducting recreation sessions
SISOSRF001 Surf small waves using basic manoeuvres
SISOFLD002 Minimise environmental impact 
PUASAR012 Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills

Each year, ASI Instructors renew their ASI Surfing Instructor certificate.   
More about renewal requirements

(1) Time to Complete: You have 12 months from date of enrolment (or workshop date) to complete all course requirements.  

(2) Re-assessment Fees: Apply if not yet competent in surfing ability or project. Fees

(3) Is completing Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate Surfer a prerequisite for enrolling in the Foundation Surfing Instructor course?
Not at all! You simply need to possess the skills and knowledge equivalent to that level.

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

(5) Can I work at other surf schools?
Not with this certification. 
You will need to obtain the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certification.

(6)  When can I upgrade to ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor?
You will need to first hold ASI Surf Wise Intermediate Level 6 Surfing Ability. Then can you upgrade at any time, additional fees are payable

MORE FAQ’s: click here

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