Surf Wise Level 6 Intermediate Surfer

Overview

Surf Wise Level 6 identifies the skills of the intermediate surfer who can perform and link intermediate level manoeuvres, with confidence and control.

It is the minimum surfing ability required to be an ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor to instruct beginner surfers.

Aim

Able to select appropriate, makeable wave and ride it effectively, demonstrating control and performing and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn, top turn, cutback on forehand and backhand).

The surfers style, flow, power and speed is not yet fully developed.

Locations and Conditions

Beach break
Peeling (spilling) waves - 3 ft (1 metre)
No rocks/reef
No dumping shore break
Rips may present

Equipment

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, wave types, frequency

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

• Select a surfing location for the intermediate surfer

Surfing Skills

• Choose a suitable place for entering and exiting the water at different surf breaks

• 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

• Select appropriate, makeable wave (not closing out, suitable to ride, left or right)

• Identify the correct take off position.

• Understand 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

• Demonstrate safe surfing etiquette

Equipment

• Read tide charts

• 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 Manoeuvres

Perform intermediate surfing manoeuvres on forehand and backhand: 

• Trim 

• Bottom turn

• Top turn

• Cut-back, on forehand

• Perform and link manoeuvres on the one wave

• Demonstrate control of the surfboard 

• Effectively ride a wave from start to finish of wave