Course Overview

Instruct beginner level surfing lessons and activities.

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

• at least 500 hours surfing experience 
   

• surfing skills and knowledge equivalent to ASI Level 6 Intermediate Surfer.    
  able to select appropriate, makeable wave and ride the wave effectively, demonstrating control and performing and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn and top turn, cut-back on forehand). 
   

• English speaking skills equivalent to IELTS 6 
  (Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.)

  (Online courses have translation options).

The following study options are available for this course.

Workshop:  In person, practical and theory, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group.  Complete most assessments at the workshop and/or gain insights on how to prepare post workshop assessments.
Access to ASI’s e-learning platform is also provided to access training resources and submit assessments. Plus you get a paper copy of instructor manual at workshop.
Duration:  2 days plus post workshop assessments.

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

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

Transfer:   Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification. This is an online course option.

Update:  For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired (by no more than 18 months), and need to regain the ASI qualification. This is an online course option.

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.

In person, practical and theory, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group.  Complete most assessments at the workshop and/or gain insights on how to prepare post workshop assessments.

What We Provide

After the workshop, online access is also provided for all training resources and to upload assessments. Plus a paper copy, as listed below, is also provided at workshop.

• Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (paper copy)

• Surfing Instruction Logbook (paper copy)

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• 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 Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.

• Complete written assessment

After Workshop:

• 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.

  (Note: 5 hours signed off at the workshop, leaving you 20 hours to complete).

Other:

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate. Refer to: Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate. Refer to: Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit identification

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

Time to Complete: You have 12 months from date of workshop to complete all course requirements.  

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

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

What We Provide

Online access is also provided for all training resources and to upload assessments.

• Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual 

• Downloadable Surfing Instructor logbook

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• 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 Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.

• 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.

Other:

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate. Refer to: Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate. Refer to: Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit identification

Time to Complete: You have 12 months from enrolment to complete all course requirements.  

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

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 work 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 Trainer at an ASI Accredited School

• Confirm the Trainer has availability.

• Complete online enrolment form and payment - list the trainers name on enrolment form.

What We Provide

Access to online training resources and to upload assessments.

• Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual 

• Surfing Instructor logbook

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• 12 months ASI membership

• 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 Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.

• 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.

You are required to submit all assessments online. Your Trainer will assist in the following areas

• Review and discuss theory topics.

• Organise 25 hours practical work experience

• Take surfing video and review suitable surfing skill competency

• Review your written assessment.

Other:

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate. Refer to: Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate. Refer to: Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit identification

Time to Complete: You have 12 months from enrolment to complete all course requirements.  

Re-assessment Fees : Apply if not yet competent in surfing ability or written assessment. Fees

Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your “non ASI instructor” qualification.
This is an online course option.
There is no requirement to complete practical hours work experience.

Entry Requirements
Submit an acceptable non-ASI Surfing Instructor certificate, not expired by more than 3 months at the time of enrolling with ASI.

What We Provide

• Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual 

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• 12 months ASI membership

• 1 free 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 Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.

Other:

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate. Refer to: Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate. Refer to: Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit identification

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

SPECIALS FEES

• In some countries, “special discount fees” apply if you are planning to work for an ASI accredited school.  
  

• When completing the enrolment form, choose “Special Fee”  and list the surf school name.

Australia:    

Extra special discount fees applies if you hold a Surfing Australia certificate and plan to work for an ASI accredited school.  Contact us for the rate.

Portugal:  

Special fees apply if you hold the Grau 1 Treinadores de Surfing issued by ASI Portugal:

• A Senior First Aid certificate is required, as the Grau 1 course does not cover all necessary topics.

• For the Surf Rescue Certificate, the Grau 1 course includes surf rescue training, allowing us to issue an ASI Surf Rescue Certificate at no extra charge. However, the rescue skills must have been completed within the past 12 months.

UK & Ireland:

Extra special discount fees applies if you hold an Irish Surfing Association surfing instructor certificate or a UK surfing instructor certificate and plan to work for an ASI accredited school. Contact us for the rate.

• For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI certificate.

• This is an online course option.

• There is no requirement to complete practical hours experience. 

• Previously submitted surfing ability video can be used (case by case basis).

• Welcome back with ASI’s discount fee!

Entry Requirements
Hold an ASI L1 Surfing Instructor certificate – expired by no more than 18 months.  
(contact ASI if you completed the ASI training prior to this).

What We Provide

• Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual 

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• 12 months ASI membership

• 1 free 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 Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.

Other:

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate. Refer to: Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate. Refer to: Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit identification

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

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

• Surf clothing

• Fibreglass surfboard to demonstrate intermediate surfing skills.

• Beginner soft-top boards with soft fins and leash

In addition, for Online learning courses: 

• Computer to access ASI e-learning platform  

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

ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor 
(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:

SISOSRF004 Lead surfing activities, small waves and basic manoeuvres
SISOSRF002 Surf waves using intermediate manoeuvres
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 6 a prerequisite for enrolling in the Level 1 Surfing Instructor course?
Not at all! You simply need to possess the skills and knowledge equivalent to that level.

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