Surf Wise
Surf Wise Skill Levels and Progression
Surf Wise is ASI’s official system for identifying your exact surf skill level.
It breaks surfing into 10 clear levels, so you always know where you are and what to learn next.
Once you know your level, Surf Wise gives you a modular, step‑by‑step learning pathway that makes progressing your surfing easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
For those planning to become instructors, Surf Wise is the easiest way to check your current 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 surfing ability levels plus surf safety.
Surf Safety
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Elite Advanced
And this is further broken down into 10 knowledge and skills levels:
Level 1 Surf Safety & Awareness
Level 2 Beginner Surfer
Level 3 Beginner Surfer
Level 4 Intermediate Surfer
Level 5 Intermediate Surfer
Level 6 Intermediate Surfer
Level 7 Advanced Surfer
Level 8 Advanced Surfer
Level 9 Advanced Surfer
Level 10 Elite-Advanced Surfer
Surf Safety
Level 1 Surf Safety & Awareness
Understand the surf environment
Negotiate surf without board
Self rescue skills
Swim 50 metres
Read more..
Beginner
Level 2 Beginner Surfer
Identifies the core skills you must have to start surfing waves. It’s where you start feeling the excitement of real wave riding — and where your Surf Wise journey truly begins.
Ride broken wave, straight to shore.
Beach break with sand bottom
Surf 1 ½ ft
Using beginner soft board
Read more..
Level 3 Beginner Surfer
Identifies the moment you shift from riding straight in white‑water to beginning real wave‑riding skills. You’re still a beginner, but now you’re starting to interact with the wave and begin shaping your ride and choosing your direction.
Trim and ride wave on an angle
Beach break with sand bottom
Surf 1 ½ ft
Use beginner soft board
Read more..
Intermediate
Level 4 Intermediate Surfer
Marks your transition from beginner to early‑intermediate surfer. At this stage, Surf Wise identifies the skills that show you’re ready to move beyond small, simple waves and start surfing with more intention, awareness, and control. It is also the minimum requirements for an ASI Introductory Surfing Instructor assisting teaching beginners.
Trim on forehand and backhand
Top and bottom turn (fore-hand)
Beach break. Surf 3ft
Beginner Softboard
Read more..
Level 5 Intermediate Surfer
Identifies the point where you can surf consistently on a fibreglass board and control your direction with confidence. It shows you’re no longer surviving the wave — you’re starting to shape your ride.
Trim, top turn,bottom turn (forehand and backhand)
Beach break. Surf 3ft
Fibreglass board
Read more…
Level 6 Intermediate Surfer
Identifies the skills of the intermediate surfer who can link manoeuvres and control speed with intention. It is the minimum skills required to be an ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor to instruct beginner surfers.
Trim, top turn, bottom turn, cut-back (forehand & backhand)
Linking manoeuvres with control
Beach break. Surf 3ft.
Fibreglass board
Read more..
Advanced
Level 7 Advanced Surfer
Identifies surfers who can start to perform a range of advanced manoeuvres with control, confidence, and consistency. At this stage, you’re surfing more powerful waves, reading conditions with accuracy, and demonstrating manoeuvres that require timing, technique, and commitment. These are the minimum skills required to be an ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor to instruct intermediate surfers.
Top turn, bottom turn, cut back, fade, stall, roundhouse cut back, snap, re-entry (forehand & backhand).
Beach break, point break. Surf up to 6ft.
Fibreglass board
Read more…
Level 8 Advanced Surfer
Identifies surfers who can perform some more advanced level manoeuvres with precision, power, and control on steeper, faster waves, and the ability to adapt your equipment for better performance.
Top turn, bottom turn, cut back, fade, stall, roundhouse cut back, snap, re-entry, vertical re-entry, floater (forehand & backhand).
Beach break, point break. Surf up to 6ft.
Fibreglass board
Read more..
Level 9 Advanced Surfer
identifies surfers who can perform advanced manoeuvres with speed, power, control, and safety in challenging surf conditions. At this stage, you’re confidently surfing waves up to 6ft, executing high‑level manoeuvres, and demonstrating the ocean awareness expected of an advanced surfer. These are the minimum skills required to be an ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach to instruct advanced level surfers.
Top turn, bottom turn, cut back, fade, stall, roundhouse cut back, snap, re-entry, vertical re-entry, floater tube riding (forehand & backhand). Linking manoeuvres with speed and power
Beach break, reef break, river mouth break, point break
Surf up to 6ft. Fibreglass board
Read more..
Level 10 Elite-Advanced Surfer
Identifies elite‑advanced surfers — the most experienced and capable surfers in the Surf Wise pathway. At this stage, you demonstrate exceptional surfing ability in 6 ft+ waves and have extensive experience surfing different breaks around the world. Your surfing shows mastery, power, confidence deep ocean understanding, and complete control in all conditions. These are the minimum skills required to be an ASI Level 4 Master Surfing Coach to instruct up to elite-advanced level surfers.
Perform and link all manoeuvres with speed and power
Top turn, bottom turn, cut back, fade, stall, roundhouse cut-back, snap, re-entry, vertical re-entry, floater, tube.
Beach break, reef break, river mouth break, point break
Surf over 6ft
Fibreglass board
More more…
Want to Improve Your Skills?
If you’re excited to boost your surfing skills or sharpen your technique, ASI Surf Wise Programs give you a clear, structured pathway to improve.
Every option aligns with the Surf Wise system so you can see your current level and confidently work toward the next.
The typical learning format for each level is:
2–8 lessons, of 1–2 hours each
Plus recommended practice hours based on what most surfers need to master the skills at that level
A coaching session with an ASI surfing instructor is recommended as you progress through your practice hours, to ensure your technique is correct.
The exact format is listed on each Surf Wise level page
Delivered by ASI Accredited Surf Schools, these programs make progression feel achievable, enjoyable, and genuinely rewarding.
You can also explore ASI Surf publications for extra guidance and insights:
