Level 1 Surfing Instructor
enrol optionsThis course is the first course to complete to develop your surfing instructor career.
The ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor course is recognised as the best and most comprehensive surfing instructor course in the world and prepares instructors to deliver beginner level surf lessons with safety and confidence.
Study by attending a workshop or completing the ASI online learning course. You can even transfer your non ASI qualification to ASI. Complete the update course if your ASI instructor qualification has expired.
An ASI accredited surfing instructor is part of the ASI worldwide community. Your qualification is international. You get to work with great people in amazing locations. It’s the best job in the world!
Aim
Instruct beginner level surfing lessons and activities.
Locations
You will be qualified to instruct at locations with the following conditions:
Surf no larger than 1½ft (½ metre)
Water depth of chest deep or less
Sandy beach and ocean floor with even gradient (no rocks or reef)
Free from rocks, free from rips, minimal lateral current, no dumping shore break
Wind less than 20 kph
Career Outcomes
Surfing instructor in the surfing or outdoor recreation industry.
Industry job roles that require surfing knowledge (e.g. marketing sales, retail, travel)
Topics Covered
The role of the surfing instructor
Identifying laws and regulations that apply to conducting surfing lessons
Client management and safety
Identifying surfing lesson risks and hazards
Emergency processes and responses
Logistics and how to plan surfing sessions
Suitable boards, equipment and resources
Communication skills for the surfing environment
Instruction and coaching methods
Creating lesson plans
Assessing students performance
Evaluating surfing lessons
Minimising environmental impacts (social & natural)
Entry Requirements
Before enrolling in this course, you will have:
at least 500 hours surfing experience
surfing skills and knowledge equivalent to ASI Level 6 Intermediate Surfer.
able to select appropriate, makeable wave and ride the wave effectively, demonstrating control and performing and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn and top turn, cut-back on forehand).
English speaking skills
Study Options
The following study options are available for this course.
Workshop: An intensive course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group.
Duration: 2 days.
Flexible Online Learning: Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform. Upload video to demonstrate skills.
Transfer: Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification. This is an online course option.
Update: For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification. This is an online course option.
Online Courses - ASI's E-learning Platform
ASI's e-learning platform provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments. Ability to upload assessment and monitor your own progress.
Course Requirements
Here is what you complete to gain your ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor qualification.
Refer to the “Study Option” below, for details on how to complete the course requirements for each study option (workshop, online, transfer, update)
Knowledge and Skills
Review ASI theory and exercises.
Complete written project (approx 3-5 hours work)
Demonstrate ASI Level 6 Intermediate Surfer surfing ability: Ride the wave from start to finish, demonstrating control and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn, top turn, cut-back on forehand) on the one wave.
Practical Hours Experience
Complete 25 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of beginner surfing lessons, at an ASI accredited surf school or other approved surf school.
Demonstrate ability to deliver sessions.
Submit logbook of hours and declaration signed by surf school owner.
Other
Submit a current ASI Surf Rescue certificate or other surf rescue certificate Acceptable Rescue certificates
Submit a current senior first aid certificate Acceptable First Aid certificates
Identification
Working with Children Check: if applicable to your country.
Note: Surf Rescue and First Aid Certificates can be provided before or after workshop or within 12 months of enrolment.
Time to Complete: You have 12 months from date of workshop, or date or online enrolment, to complete all course requirements.
Re-assessment Fees
Re-assessment fee applies if not yet competent in surfing ability or project See: Fees
Equipment
The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:
Surf clothing
Fibreglass surfboard to demonstrate intermediate surfing skills.
Beginner soft-top boards with soft fins and leash
In addition, for Online learning courses:
Computer to access ASI e-learning platform
Video camera or mobile phone to take video of practical skills
Certificate Issued
ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor
(valid for 12 months)
Additional Certificate Issued
ASI also issues education department approved training certificates. (excludes transfer/update course options).
Australia Only
ASI is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and also issues the following certificate to students undertaking training in Australia.
Australian Department of Education. Registered Training Organisation RTO ID 91496
Statement of Attainment in Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (SIS30619)
for units of competency:
SISOSRF004 Lead surfing activities, small waves and basic manoeuvres
SISOSRF002 Surf waves using intermediate manoeuvres
SISOSRF001 Surf small waves using basic manoeuvres
SISOFLD002 Minimise environmental impact
PUASAR012 Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills
Renewal
Each year, ASI Instructors renew their ASI Surfing Instructor certificate.
More about renewal requirements
FAQs
Read more at:
Surfing Instructor Course FAQ's
Study Option – Workshop
An intensive course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group.
Duration: 2 days.
What We Provide
Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (paper)
Surfing Instruction Logbook (paper)
Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)
Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)
12 months ASI membership
1 free assessment plus 1 free re-assessment
Course Requirements
At Workshop:
Complete theory assessments and exercises, practice at beach.
Demonstrate ASI Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.
Complete written assessment
After Workshop:
Complete 20 practical hours experience (5 hours signed off in workshop).
Other:
Submit current first aid certificate
Submit current surf rescue certificate
Submit identification
Submit child check (if applicable to your country)
Study Option – Online Learning
Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform. Upload video to demonstrate skills.
What We Provide
Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (online access)
Downloadable Surfing Instructor logbook (for practical hours)
Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)
Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)
12 months ASI membership
1 free assessment plus 1 free re-assessment
Course Requirements
Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises
Submit 1 written assessment
Complete online multi choice test - 15 questions
Submit video demonstrating ASI Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.
Complete 25 practical hours experience
Other:
Submit current first aid certificate
Submit current surf rescue certificate
Submit identification
Submit child check (if applicable to your country)
Study Option – Transfer Course
Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification.
This is an online course option.
There is no requirement to complete practical hours experience.
Entry Requirements
Submit an acceptable non ASI Surfing Instructor certificate, not expired by more than 12 months (Contact ASI for more information)
What We Provide
Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (online access)
Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)
Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)
12 months ASI membership
1 free assessment
Course Requirements
Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises
Submit 1 written assessment
Complete online multi choice test - 15 questions
Submit video demonstrating ASI Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.
Other:
Submit current first aid certificate
Submit current surf rescue certificate
Submit identification
Submit child check (if applicable to your country)
Enrolment
Special discount fee applies if you hold an Australian surfing instructor certificate and are working for an ASI accredited surf school. (Choose special fee on enrolment form, and provide the name of the ASI surf school).
Study Option – Update Course
For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification.
This is an online course option.
There is no requirement to complete practical hours experience. Previously submitted surfing ability video can used.
Entry Requirements
Hold an ASI L1 Surfing Instructor certificate – completed within the past 3 years.
(contact ASI if you completed the ASI training prior to this).
What We Provide
Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual (online access)
Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual (online access)
Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual (online access)
12 months ASI membership
1 free assessment
Course Requirements
Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises
Submit 1 written assessment
Complete online multi choice test - 15 questions
Submit video demonstrating ASI Level 6 Intermediate surfing ability.
Other:
Submit current first aid certificate
Submit current surf rescue certificate
Submit identification
Submit child check (if applicable to your country)
Enrolment
Welcome back special fees apply. On the enrolment form choose special fee.