Bodyboard Wise

Bodyboard Wise Skill Levels and Progression

Bodyboard Wise is ASI’s official system for identifying your exact bodyboarding skill level.

It breaks bodyboarding skills and knowledge into 4 levels, so you always know where you are and what to learn next.

Once you know your level, BodyboardWise gives you a modular, step‑by‑step learning pathway that makes progressing your bodyboarding easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

For those planning to become instructors, Bodyboard Wise is the easiest way to check your current bodyboarding ability level and identify any skills you may need to strengthen before enrolling.

No confusion. No guessing. Just clear skills, clear goals, and steady improvement.

There are 4 bodyboarding ability levels plus surf safety.

  • Surf Safety

  • Beginner

  • Intermediate

  • Advanced

  • Elite Advanced

Level 1 Surf Safety & Awareness

Understand the surf environment
Negotiate surf without board
Self rescue skills
Swim 50 metres
Read more..

Level 1 Surf Safety & Awareness

Beginner Level

Ride wave in foam
Beach break with sand bottom
Surf 1½ ft (½ metre)
Read more..

HELP

Intermediate Level

Perform and link manoeuvres in the top half of the wave, below the lip.
Manoeuvres: Trim, left & right hand turns, bottom & top turns, rail to rail S turns, 360 spin forward & reverse, roll.
Read more..

HELP

Advanced Level

Perform and link manoeuvres above the lip: Air, ARS (air, roll, spin), 360 spin forward & reverse, back flip. Above or below the lip: drop knee tail - slide - slash, floater, tube ride.
Surf up to 6ft (2 metres).
Read more..

HELP

Elite-Advanced Level

Perform and link intermediate and advanced level manoeuvres below and above the lip.
Surf over 6ft (2 metres).
Read more..

HELP

Want to Improve Your Skills?

If you want to improve your technique or map out your next steps, ASI Bodyboard Wise Programs give you a clear, confidence‑building way to track and grow your ability.

The Bodyboard Wise system breaks bodyboarding into simple, progressive levels, making it easy to pinpoint your current stage and see the skills you need to develop as you move forward.

The typical learning format for each level is:

  • 2–8 lessons, of 1–2 hours each

  • Plus recommended practice hours based on what most bodyboarders need to master the skills at that level

  • A coaching session with an ASI  bodyboarding instructor is recommended as you progress through your practice hours, to ensure your technique is on track.

  • The exact format is listed on each Bodyboard Wise level page

Delivered by ASI Accredited Surf & Bodyboarding Schools, these programs make progression feel achievable, enjoyable, and genuinely rewarding.

Read about ASI Bodyboard publications