ASI – Academy of Surfing Instructors

Introductory Surfing Instructor

Introductory Surfing Instructor

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Want to swap your desk for a surfboard but not ready for ASI Level 1? The ASI Introductory Surfing Instructor course is your first step.

Designed for basic intermediate level surfers (ASI Surf Wise Level 4), it covers core Level 1 content but at a supervised level. You’ll teach beginner lessons with an ASI Level 2 Instructor present and only at ASI accredited surf schools.

Build your skills, gain real teaching experience, and upgrade to Level 1 when you’re ready.

What This Course Qualifies You To Do

You’ll be able to teach: beginner level

Teach: 
  • Manoeuvres:  ride whitewater, trim along small green waves, small turns
  • Plus: other essential surfing skills and knowledge at ASI Surf Wise Level 3 beginner surfer
In the following conditions:
  • Surf no larger than 1½ft (½ metre)
  • Water depth of chest deep or less
  • Sandy beach, free from rocks, rips and currents
After completing the course, you can:
  • Run safe, structured surfing lessons
  • Manage groups in the water 
  • Offer basic surfing technique feedback  
Notes:
  • An ASI Level 2 Surfing Instructor must be at the beach or close enough for direct supervision. 
  • You still count for making up student to instructor ratios.
  • For anyone under 18, a nearby adult instructor is required.

Where Can You Work?

With your Introductory Surfing Instructor qualification, you can work as a surf instructor:
  • At a designated ASI accredited surf school 

What You'll Learn

This course covers all essential skills for teaching beginning surfing lessons, including:

Laws & regulations:  that apply to conducting surfing lessons

Risk management & safety:  at the beginner level - ASI guidelines, identify and assess risks, strategies to minimise risk, conducting location and dynamic risk assessments, social & natural environmental impacts,  emergency response 

Environment:  social & natural environmental impacts and minimisation strategies

Logistics planning:  locations, equipment, back up, student types

Session planning:  structuring beginner lessons, creating lesson plans, teaching progression, ASI Surf Wise programs level 1-3

Group management: communication, positioning and client supervision 

Client instruction:  instruction techniques for beginner level, methods to get beginners surfing with ease

Client assessment:  ASI  beginner level surfing criteria, beginner common mistakes, correcting technique

Professional standards:  duty of care, codes of conduct, evaluating your own performance as a surf instructor,  industry expectations
 

Entry Requirements

To enrol, you must meet:

Minimum age: 16 years

Surfing experience: 200+ hours of surfing

Surfing knowledge and skills: equivalent to ASI Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate Surfer 

Surfing ability:  able to surf wave from start to finish – performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on a softboard or fiberglass board, demonstrating good stance and control, in small surf.

Sponsored: by an ASI Accredited Surf School (school owner, holding minimum ASI Level 2 Surfing instructor certification) 

Note: 
For Surf Wise Level 4, you only need to state on enrolment form you have these knowledge & skills.

Course Requirements

Before you can be certified, you’ll need to complete the below: 

Personal Surfing Ability:  
Demonstrate ASI Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate surfing ability -  surf wave from start to finish, performing  small bottom turn and top turn on the one wave, on a softboard or fiberglass board, demonstrating good stance and control, in small surf..

Knowledge:  
  • Complete multi-choice online test.
  • Submit a written assessment for delivering lessons.
Practical: 
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.  Submit logbook of hours/experience

Submit Required Certificates:  Time to complete:  12 months 

Study Options

Workshop: Ideal for people who like to complete most of the course requirements at the workshop and interact with the trainer.
  • Face to face (in-person) training. 
  • Duration:  2 days 
  • Complete most course requirements at the workshop (trainer to take surfing ability video if possible, complete written assessment)
  • 2 free assessments
  • 5 hours practical experience signed off in workshop

Online Learning: Ideal for people who would like flexibility to complete their training.
  • Work at your own pace.
  • Face to face (in-person) practical hours experience required
  • Video submission: surfing ability 
  • 2 free assessments 

What is Included

All study options receive online access to: 
  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual & assessments
  • Downloadable instructor logbook (for practical hours)
  • Learn to Surf for Beginners Manual 
  • Learn to Surf Intermediate Level Manual 
In addition: at the workshop, you also receive a paper copy of:  
  • Level 1 Surfing Instructor manual
  • Instructor logbook (for practical hours)
Plus:  ASI membership for 12 months.

ASI’s E-learning Platform 
Provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments, includes built-in language translation.

What Equipment You Use

The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:
  • Surf clothing
  • Fibreglass surfboard or beginner soft-top board to demonstrate your own ASI Surf Wise L4 intermediate surfing skills.
  • Beginner soft-top boards with soft fins and leash for your students

In addition:   
  • Computer or mobile phone to access ASI e-learning platform  
  • Video camera or mobile phone to take video of practical skills

Certificate Issued

ASI Introductory Surfing Instructor 
(valid for 12 months)

With the ASI Accredited Surf School name listed on the certificate.

Progression Pathways

You can continue your surf coaching development with:
  • ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor – surfing ability assessment only (teach independently at any location around the world)
  • ASI surf rescue training 
  • Attending ASI Air Retreats (conference)

Why Choose ASI?

  • Globally recognised surf coaching qualifications
  • Industry leading safety and coaching standards
  • Flexible online and in person training
  • Clear career progression
  • Trusted by surf schools worldwide

READ: 10 Reasons to Become an ASI Instructor

FAQs

(1) Can I make up the ratios for instructor to student requirements?
Yes - you will be a certified instructor so you are able to be counted in instructor to student ratios.  

(2) Can I work at other surf schools?
No. Not with this certification.  
You will need to obtain the ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor certification.

(3)  What do I need to do to upgrade to ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor?
  • Develop your surfing ability so you can surf at  ASI Surf Wise Intermediate Level 6 Surfer.  Be able to surf the wave from start to finish and perform bottom & top turn, cutback on forehand on the one wave, 3ft surf. 
  • Apply for an Assessment upgrade.  Additional fees are payable. 
  • You can upgrade at any time.

More FAQ’s: click here