Bodyboarding Instructor Courses FAQs

In summary: 

• Can bodyboard at the ASI Intermediate level (perform right and left hand turns, bottom and top turns, cutback, on one wave from start to finish, 3ft surf

• ASI Level 1 Bodyboarding Instructor certificate  

• Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

• Complete 25 hours practical experience  working with real life beginner level students at an ASI or approved surf school.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

 Read detailed course requirements..

(1) Do I need to be able to bodyboard to enrol in the ASI Level 1 Bodyboarding Instructor course?
Yes.  You need to have the skills and knowledge at ASI Intermediate Level.   See ASI Bodyboarder Intermediate Level

You should have approximately 500 hours bodyboarding experience. 

(2)  I am not an Intermediate Bodyboarder.  What should do?
It’s best to improve your bodyboarding skill prior to enrolling. Otherwise you may not be able to participate in bodyboarding water activities at workshops, as you could be a safety risk.

(3) Why do I have to know how to bodyboard at the intermediate level to be a bodyboarding instructor?
You will be teaching others how to bodyboard, so you need to have one level of ability higher than those you are teaching.
Secondly, bodyboarding is also about spending time in the water.  If you can bodyboard competently at the intermediate level (which is the requirement for level 1 bodyboarding instructor), you should have be able to understand surf safety, surf conditions and bodyboarding hazards.

(4) How do I know if I am an intermediate level bodyboarder and eligible to enrol?
To be a Level 1 Bodyboarding instructor, you already know what it means to be an intermediate level bodyboarder.   So, if you don’t know, then you cannot enrol.   
You can contact an ASI Bodyboarding Instructor and obtain some private coaching and an assessment of your bodyboarding skill level. 

A range of delivery options are available for select courses.

Workshop: 

• Face to face training with highly qualified ASI Trainers, the best in the industry.

• Complete most of your course requirements at the workshops

• Held in great locations throughout the world

Online Learning:

• Work at your own pace.

• Using ASI's e-learning platform with access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments.

16 years of age.   
However instructors under the age of 18 years old, cannot teach unsupervised unless they have an adult (18 years and over) accredited instructor supervising nearby.  
Accredited Instructors under 18 years of age, are still counted for student to instructor ratios.

(1) Where can I do my practical hours?

Complete your practical hours at an ASI bodyboard school.

You can also organise to do your practical hours with the Trainer.  You will need to contact the trainer and ask if they have availability. The trainer details are listed on the actual training event/workshop page on the ASI website. 

You can find an ASI accredited bodyboard school on the ASI website - Find Schools

You can do your practical hours with a non ASI bodyboard school you plan to work for.   Please send us the name of the school, location and website and we can check their suitability.  

RPL of your practical hours can apply. If you are deemed competent at the workshop, have prior extensive experience delivering outdoor water activities and hold another outdoor watersports qualification (eg surfing, canoeing, windsailing, SUP, kitesurfing). 

(2) There is no ASI School near me to complete practical hours /  There is no bodyboard school near me that can offer me practical hours. 
We will discuss how you can complete your practical hours based on your experience and ability. 
Where an ASI school is not near you, a variety of options is available  including completing hours at a non ASI school and / or if you are an experienced outdoors recreation instructor in another watersport, you may be able to complete your own hours and provide video assessment of delivery.   The Trainer will prepare a simple plan and be your mentor.

You have 12 months from the date of the workshop, or the enrolment date for flexible online courses, to complete all the course requirements. At that time, your enrolment will cancel. 
You should easily be able to complete the requirements within this time. 
Remember to factor in time to complete your practical hours training and seasonality. 

You can submit video for re-assessment. 
See individual course requirements for information about reassessment
A re-assessment fee applies.   See fees.
You have 12 months to complete all course requirements. 

(1) Do I need to hold a first aid certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No.  You have 12 months after the workshop date to provide it to ASI. Your instructor certificate will not be issued until we receive your first aid certificate.

(2)  What is a “current’ first aid certificate?
The certificate date must not be expired. 
Certificates that are more than 3 years old are not accepted (even if the expiry date is longer).  

(3) What First Aid Certificates does ASI accept?
ASI has listed some certificates that are acceptable.  click here

(4) What Topics Must be covered in the First Aid Certificate?
ASI has listed the minimum topics required at  click here

(5) I completed first aid in my surf rescue course.  Is that acceptable to ASI.
In some countries, the Surf Lifesaving and Lifeguard qualifications includes senior first aid training.  These combined Surf Rescue and First Aid Certificates are acceptable.  
e.g UK, Spain, Portugal, Bali, USA 
In Australia, the Surf Lifesaving Bronze only includes basic first aid.  A separate senior first aid certificate must be completed.  
In other countries, senior first aid training is generally separate to the surf rescue training. 

(6) I am a paramedic or nurse. Do you I have to provide a first aid certificate?
No.  But you must provide evidence / certificate / letter from the hospital you work for that states you are current in first aid. 

(7) Do I need to update my First Aid certificates?
Yes.  You must keep these current at all times. 
Make sure the certificate has not expired or is no more than 3 years old from the date of training.

(1) Do I need to hold surf rescue certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No.  You have 12 months after the workshop date to provide it to ASI. Your instructor certificate will not be issued until we receive your first aid certificate.

(2)  What is a “current’ surf rescue certificate?

It is a certificate that is not expired and is one of the following:

• In Australia, valid for 1 year only, no more than 12 months from date of issue. 

• In other countries, no more than 24 months from date of issue.

ASI does not accept surf rescue certificates older than 24 months (even if the expiry date is longer). 

(3) What Surf Rescue Certificates does ASI accept?
ASI has listed some certificates that are acceptable. click here

(4) What Topics Must be covered in the Surf Rescue Certificate?
ASI has listed the minimum topics required at  click here

(5) Do I have to hold Bronze Surf Lifesaving Certificate?
No. You can hold a Community Surf rescue certificate or equivalent. 

(6) Can I provide a Swimming Pool Lifeguard rescue or flat water rescue certificate?
No. You must have a Surf Rescue certificate. 
It demonstrates experience completing rescues in the surf.

Yes, if you are working with children. 
This only applies to the country you are working in.  Not every country has working with child check requirements. See info....  

(1) Do I have to renew my instructor certificate?
Yes.   Your Surfing Instructor accreditation certificate expires at least 12 months from the date of the training - to the nearest renewal date for the region.   

• Australia, Asia - 31 December

• UK, Europe, Middle East, USA, Americas - 30 June  

In your first year, you may be given more than 12 months to renew (but you will receive at least a minimum of 12 months).

See: Renewal Requirements

(2) Why do I have to renew each year? 
You are a professional and this demonstrates you are keeping your skills and knowledge updated. 
You don’t need to attend another course.  Complete the online renewal form and submit relevant evidence. 

(1) Can I work in other countries with ASI qualifications?
Yes, ASI has been operating since 2003 and is the world leader in education and training accreditation in the surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding sections of the outdoor recreation industry.

(2) I did my ASI training in the UK (or another country) and I want to work in Australia.  Do I have to pay any extra fees to be recognised?
No.  You do not pay any extra once you have your ASI qualifications.   There may be additional country certificate requirements e.g. your rescue certificate is only recognised for 12 months in Australia.   You may be required to apply for a state based working with children check.   The surf school you are working for will advise you of the requirements.