Overview

A Level 5 Intermediate surfer has the below skills and knowledge.  

At this level, you can now perform bottom turns and top turns on backhand, demonstrate control, link forehand and backhand surfing manoeuvres and understand how surfing equipment affects performance.   Able to practice on a fibreglass board.

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 when waves are 3 ft (1 metre)

  • Free from rocks (submerged or otherwise)

  • Rips may present

  • Wind speed less than 20 kilometres per hour (approx. 12.5 miles per hour)

  • Absence of a dumping shore break

  • Free from hazards such as marine creatures, pollution, etc.

Equipment 

  • Beginner soft surfboard, with soft fins and leg-rope (leash)

  • Fibreglass surfboard and leg-rope (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

Level 5 Intermediate Surfer