Surfing Instructor Courses FAQs

In summary: 

• Can surf at the ASI Level 6 Intermediate level (perform bottom, top turn and cutback. Linking manoeuvres, on one wave from start to finish, 3ft surf)

• ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certificate (Workshop course or online course)

• 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 surf to enrol in the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor course?
Yes.   you need to have the skills and knowledge at ASI Intermediate Level 6.  Perform and link manoeuvres (bottom turn, top turn, cut-back on forehand) in 3 ft surf and be experienced surfing at beach breaks.    See ASI Surf Wise Level 6 Intermediate Surfer
You should have approximately 500 hours surfing experience. 

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

To improve your surfing skill:  
(i) contact an ASI Trainer or ASI Surf school and ask for a private assessment of your ability and have coaching sessions.
(ii) purchase the ASI Learn to Surf Intermediate Level manual which explains how to perform manoeuvres and a range of safety and background information required at the intermediate level. Email ASI for information.

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

(4) How do I know if I am an intermediate level surfer and eligible to enrol?
To be a Level 1 Surfing instructor, you already know what it means to be an intermediate level surfer.   So, if you don’t know, then you cannot enrol.   
You can contact an ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor and obtain some private coaching and an assessment of your surfing skill level.  Refer to the ASI website under Surf Wise to see the requirements for each surfing skill level. 

(5) How long does it take to develop intermediate surfing skill?
Depending on your ability and ocean and surf knowledge and experience, it takes approx. 500 – 1500 hours to be able to surf at the intermediate level.  (ie. surfing  a minimum of 1.3 hours to 4 hours each day for 1 year). 

To surf at the intermediate level requires ability to ride waves, perform manouevres in the correct section with correct balance. Most importantly, it requires an ability to read the waves and how they perform, knowledge of the ocean and surf, hazards, and conditions at different types surf breaks.   No wave is the same.  No surf break is the same.  Conditions can change constantly.  This knowledge and skill can only be acquired by time in the surf and practice. 

In Summary:

• Can surf at the ASI Level 7 Advanced level (perform bottom, top turn, roundhouse cutback, re-entry, linking manoeuvres – on a few waves showing start to finish, 3-6 ft surf)

• ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor certificate (Workshop course or online course)

• Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

• Complete 15 hours practical experience, working with real life intermediate or improver level students at an ASI or approved surf school.

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

Read detailed course requirements..

In summary:

• Can surf at the ASI Level 9 Advanced level (perform bottom, top turn, roundhouse cutback, vertical-entry, floater, tube linking manoeuvres – on a few waves showing start to finish, 6ft surf)

• ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach certificate  

• Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

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

 Read detailed course requirements..

In summary:

• Can surf at the ASI Level 10 Elite Advanced level (perform bottom, top turn, roundhouse cutback, vertical-entry, floater, tube linking manoeuvres – on a few waves showing start to finish, waves over 6ft surf, any location worldwide), plus competition coaching experience

• ASI Level 4 Master Surfing Coach certificate (By invitation)

• Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

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

Read detailed course requirements..

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.

Apprenticeship:

• Complete theory using ASI’s e-learning platform.

• Work under the direction of an ASI Trainer, who will help organise your practical hours

• Aim to complete your training within 6 weeks.

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.

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.

Can I enrol in Level 1, followed by Level 2,  Level 3, at the same time?

No.  You must have 12 months as an ASI instructor before enrolling into Level 2 and then another 12 months as an instructor to enrol in Level 3. 

Exemption. You can enrol in courses at the same time, only if you have previously been instructing for the minimum period for each level and you have advanced surfing ability.

No. you will need to complete the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor course first.  

The Level 1 course is a pre-requisite for the Level 2 course and contains information needed for your Level 2 Course.

(1) Where can I do my practical hours?

Complete your practical hours at an ASI surf 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 surf school on the ASI website - Find Schools

• You can do your practical hours with a non ASI surf 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 canoeing, windsailing, SUP, kitesurfing, bodyboarding). 

(2) There is no ASI School near me to complete practical hours /  There is no surf school near me that can offer me practical hours. 
At the workshop, the trainer 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.

At some workshops locations, first aid and surf rescue courses are offered at the same time as ASI Instructor courses, so you can complete all your Surfing Instructor accreditation requirements at the same time. 

The first aid training is conducted by first aid training organisations associated with ASI.  
The surf rescue is conducted by either ASI or a surf rescue training organisation.   

If the first aid or surf rescue training courses are available, information is provided in the course enrolment page. 

Do I need to hold a Working with Children Check?
Yes, if you are working with children. 
It 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. 

Obtain your ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certificate based on recognition of your non ASI instructor certificate.

Requirements:

• Hold a current (not expired) non-ASI surfing instructor certificate.

• Complete the ASI online course, read ASI procedure and guidelines, submit surfing video at the ASI Surf Wise Intermediate Level 6 and submit written assessment.

• List where you have been working as an instructor, delivering session in the past 12 months. (you do not need to do practical hours again)

• Submit a current surf rescue certificate & first aid certificate  (read course requirements on what rescue and aid certificates ASI accepts)

To enrol:
Choose Level 1 Surfing Instructor,  / Transfer option.
Special fees apply if you are have an agreement to work for an ASI accredited surf school.

(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 requirements.