Course Overview

You’ll be able to teach: improver-intermediate level

Teach:

• Manoeuvres: bottom and top turns, cutback, linking manoeuvres

• Plus: other essential surfing skills and knowledge at the ASI Surf Wise Level 6 intermediate surfer

In the following conditions:

• Surf up to 3ft (1 metre)

• Green peeling waves

• Sandy beach, free from rocks, rips present

After completing the course, you can:

• Run safe, structured surfing lessons

• Manage small groups in the water

• Assess intermediate level surfing ability and help them progress

With your Level 2 qualification, you can work as a surf instructor or surf coach:

• At surf schools around the world

• In tourism and adventure sport programs

• At surf camps and holiday resorts

• As a freelance surf coach

• At your own surf school.  Apply to become an ASI Accredited Surf School, allowing you to operate your own professional surf school business under ASI’s global standards.

ASI qualifications are internationally recognised, giving you the freedom to work and travel.

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

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

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

Session planning: structuring improver and intermediate level  lessons, training plans for individuals, teaching progression, ASI Surf Wise programs levels 4-6

Group management:  communication, positioning and client supervision

Client instruction:  instruction and coaching methods for improver level, drills and skills, progression techniques

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

To enrol, you must meet:

Minimum age: 18 years

Surfing experience: 750+ hours of surfing

Surfing knowledge and skills: equivalent to ASI Surf Wise Level 7 Advanced Surfer

Surfing ability: perform and link manoeuvres: bottom turn, top turn, cutback, roundhouse cutback, re-entry in 4-6ft surf.

Surfing instruction certification:  Hold ASI Level 1 Surfing instructor certificate (non-ASI certificates may be accepted, assessed on case by case basis)

Surfing Instruction experience:  at least 12 months

Note: for Surf Wise Level 7, 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 7 Advanced surfing ability.  Able to perform bottom turn, top turn, cutback, roundhouse cutback, re-entry in 4-6ft surf.  

Knowledge: 
Submit a written assessment:  prepare a coaching plan for an improver-intermediate student. 

Practical:
Complete 15 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of improver-intermediate level surfing lessons, at an ASI accredited surf school or other approved surf school.  Submit logbook of hours/experience

Submit Required Certificates:

• A current surf rescue certificate Acceptable Rescue certificates

• A current senior first aid certificate Acceptable First Aid 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: 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

Update: For instructors whose ASI certification has expired and need to regain the ASI certification.

• Expired by no more than 4 years

• Online course - work at your own pace

• Some course requirements waived  – no requirement to complete practical hours experience

• Video submission: surfing ability (Previously submitted surfing ability video may be used. Determined on a case by case basis)

• 1 free video assessment

• Welcome back with ASI’s discount fee!

Transfer: Obtain your ASI instructor certification by applying for recognition of your current non-ASI instructor certificate.

• Online course – work at your own pace

• Some course requirements waived - no requirement to complete practical hours

• Submit: non-ASI instructor level 2 or equivalent certificate (not expired by more than 12 months)

• Video submission: surfing ability

• 2 free video assessments

• Retain your non-ASI instructor certificate

• ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certificate is required (prerequisite for Level 2). L1 & L2 courses can be taken together, combined pricing available.

All study options receive online access to:

• Level 2 Surfing Instructor manual & assessments

• Downloadable instructor logbook (for practical hours)

• Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual

• Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual

• Learn to Surf Advanced Level Manual

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

• Level 2 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 to demonstrate intermediate surfing skills

For your written project:

• A student at the improver level

• Beginner soft-top boards with soft fins and leash and/or fibreglass board

• Video camera or mobile phone (to record student’s ability)

In addition:  

• Computer or device to access ASI e-learning platform  

• Video camera or mobile phone for own surfing video

ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor 
(valid for 12 months)

ASI also issues education department approved training certificates.

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 IV in Outdoor Leadership SIS40621 
for units of competency:
SISOSRF005 Lead surfing activities, intermediate manoeuvres
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

You can continue your surf coaching development with:

• ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach (teaching advanced level surfing)

• ASI surf rescue training

• Attending ASI Air Retreats (conference)

• Blue Health Skills for Watersports Instructors

• 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 bypass the ASI Level 1 Instructor course and proceed directly to the Level 2 course?
ASI Level 1 Surfing instructor is required (prerequisite for Level 2). L1 & L2 courses can be taken together, combined pricing available.

MORE FAQ’s: click here