Surf Wise Level 5 Intermediate Surfer

Overview

Surf Wise Level 5 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.

Aim

Demonstrate ability to control the surfboard, link top and bottom turns (forehand and backhand) at beach breaks, in 3 feet (1 metre) surf. 

Locations and Conditions 

• Beach break

• Peeling (spilling) waves, 3 ft (1 metre)

• Free from rocks/reef

• No dumping shore break

• Rips may present

Equipment 

• Beginner soft surfboard, with soft fins and leash

• Fibreglass surfboard and leash

• Wax

Knowledge & Skills

Surf Safety

• Able to swim 200 metres

• Able to tread water for 5 minutes

Surfing Environment

• Predict surfing conditions based on weather, swell, tides, wind direction/speed

• Identify how to read waves by understanding different water conditions, wave types,  and their suitability for surfing, left and right waves, wave frequency

• Identify 5 different types of surf breaks (breach, point, reef, river mouth, bombora)

• Select a surfing location for the intermediate surfer

• Read tide charts

Equipment

• Identify how parts of your board affect performance

• Identify the different types of fins and fin systems

• Identify surfboard damage

• Choose a surfboard for the intermediate surfer based on personal style and the surfing conditions

• Identify surfing safety and assistance clothing

Surfing Skills

• Choose a suitable place for entering and exiting the water 

• Identify the different types of rips and how to use them to advantage

• Negotiate broken and unbroken waves using the duck dive

• Identify correct paddling out protocol

• Choose the correct waves to ride

• Identify the correct take off position.

• Ride a wave, understanding how body weight and speed affect surfing

• Identify how to turn your board

• Identify methods to get off the wave

• Wipe-out safely at the intermediate level

Perform Surfing Manoeuvres

• Trimming (forehand and backhand) 

• Bottom turn (forehand and backhand)

• Top turn (forehand and backhand)

• Link above surfing manoeuvres, demonstrating control