Surfing Instructor Standards-Intermediate Level

ASI has created the international standards for Surfing Instructors for intermediate level surfing.   A summary is below.  

Location Conditions

Intermediate level surfing lessons and activities should only be conducted at locations with:

  • Beach break

  • Peeling (spilling) waves when waves are 3 ft (1 metre)

  • Free from rocks (submerged or otherwise)

  • Rips 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

Instructor Qualifications

  • ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor – private lessons

  • ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach – group lessons*

  • Current Surf Rescue 

  • Current Senior First Aid

  • Working with children check (as applicable to the country)


*Group lessons can be conducted by an Level 3 Surfing Coach. Due the different levels that are usually within the groups.

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

Private lessons.  1 fully accredited instructor to 1 student (1:1)

Group lessons can be conducted by an Level 3 Surfing Coach. Due the different levels that are usually within the groups.


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 instructor is in the water, close to student at all times. Including riding wave with the student. 

  • Instructors are not to take student into areas where there are a high number of other surf users.

  • Use a soft beginners board until student becomes more confident and can surf with control.