ASI has created the international standards for Surfing Instructors for advanced level surfing. A summary is below.
Location Conditions
Advanced level surfing lessons and activities should only be conducted at locations with:
Beach break, reef break, river mouth break, point break, bombora
Wave height above 3ft (1 metre) –up to 6ft (3 metres)
Open face peeling waves
peaking left or right
Rips present
Wind speed less than 35 kilometres per hour (approx. 20 miles per hour)
Free from hazards such as marine creatures, pollution, etc.
Equipment
Fibreglass surfboard and leg-rope (leash)
Reef booties (if surfing over reef)
Wax
Instructor Qualifications
ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach
Current Surf Rescue
Current Senior First Aid
Working with children check (as applicable to the country)
Students
Age
No minimum age. Additional risk management assessment conducted as required.
Entry Requirements
Able to swim 200 metres. This is because you are generally going out in deep water.
Tread water for 5 minutes
Student Management
Instructor to Student Ratio
1 fully accredited instructor to 8 students (1:8)
For more experienced students, the ratio’s can be determined according to ability and safety.
Group Size
No more than 16 students to be in the one place in the water, at any one time. If there are more than 16 students, the students are to be spread out in groups, along the beach with a minimum distance of no less than 50 metres between each group of 16 students.
If there are many water users:
No more than 8 students to be in the one place in the water, at any one time.
Each group of 8 students is to be spread out along the beach with a minimum distance of no less than 50 metres between each group.
Surfing Safety & Student Management
Students wear leash at all times
The coach to monitor all students at all times (from the shore or in the water)
For less experienced students, Instructors do not take student into areas where there are a high number of other surf users.