Surf Wise Level 6 Intermediate Surfer

Surf Wise Level 6 identifies the skills of an intermediate surfer who can perform and link intermediate level manoeuvres with confidence and control.

At this stage, surfers learn to apply these manoeuvres with purpose, even though full style, flow, power, and speed are not yet required or fully developed.

Level 6 represents the minimum surfing ability needed to qualify as an ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor, enabling you to safely instruct beginner surfers.

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Aim

Able to select appropriate, makeable wave and ride it effectively, demonstrating control and performing and linking intermediate level manoeuvres (bottom turn, top turn, cutback on forehand and backhand).

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Locations and Conditions

• Beach break
• Peeling (spilling) waves, 3 ft (1 metre)
• No rocks/reef
• No dumping shore break
• Rips may be present

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Equipment

• Fibreglass surfboard and leash
• Wax

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Knowledge & Skills

Pre-requisite:
ASI Surf Wise Level 5 Intermediate Level Surfer

Surf Safety

• Able to swim 200 metres
• And able to swim from surf break back to shore (distance depends on where you are surfing)

Surfing Environment

• Predict surfing conditions based on weather, swell, tides, wind direction & speed
• Identify how to read waves by - water conditions, wave types, suitability, left & 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

Equipment

• Read tide charts
• 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 at different surf breaks
• 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
• Select appropriate, makeable wave (not closing out, suitable to ride, left or right)
• Identify the correct take off position
• Understand 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
• Demonstrate safe surfing etiquette
• Demonstrate control of the surfboard
• Effectively ride a wave from start to finish of wave

Surfing Manoeuvres

Perform intermediate surfing manoeuvres on forehand and backhand:

• Trim
• Bottom turn
• Top turn
• Cut-back

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