This course is your first step in becoming a surfing instructor.  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

Surfing instructor in the surfing or outdoor recreation industry.
Industry job roles that require surfing knowledge (e.g. marketing sales, retail, travel)

• 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)

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 

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. 

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 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.

Knowledge Requirements

Complete theory assessments and exercises

• Workshop:  at the workshop, plus 1 assessment submitted after the workshop  

• Flexible Online course:  anytime

• Transfer:  anytime

• Update:  anytime

Skills Requirements

Demonstrate ASI Level 6 Intermediate Surfer surfing ability:  Ride the wave from start to finish, demonstrating control and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn, top turn, cut-back on forehand) on the one wave.   

• Workshop:  practice at workshop. Submit own video after workshop.

• Flexible Online course:  submit your own video

• Transfer:  submit your own video

• Update:  submit your own video

Practical Hours Experience
Complete 25 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of beginner surfing lessons, at an ASI or approved SUP school.  Submit logbook of hours.

• Workshop:  completed after the workshop. (note: Recognition of previous surfing instruction experience can be provided).  

• Flexible Online course:  completed after submitting surfing skills video. (note: Recognition of previous surfing instruction experience can be provided.)  

• Transfer:  not required, provide copy of non-ASI instructor certificate and some details of previous instruction

• Update:  not required, provide some details of previous instruction

Other
Applies to all study options.

• Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate 

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate 

• Identification

• Working with Children Check: If applicable to your country. 

Acceptable Rescue certificates
Acceptable First Aid certificates

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, or date or online enrolment, to complete all course requirements.  

All courses include ASI membership for 12 months.

Workshop
Level 1 Surfing Instructor paper manual 
Surfing Instruction Logbook (paper)

Online Learning Courses
Access to Level 1 Surfing Instructor online manual 
Surfing Instruction Logbook online version

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
• Access to ASI surf school to complete your practical hours training

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. These do not expire. 

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

Read more at:
How to become an ASI Surfing Instructor
Surfing Instructor Course FAQ's