Surfing Australia

 Coaching 

Get involved and get qualified by becoming a Surfing Australia accredited surf and/or SUP coach. 

The following courses are the only courses available in Australia that are recognised by the Australian Government (through the Australian Sports Commission) under their National Coaching Accreditation Scheme.  All of our courses are also recognised by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and are the required qualifications in every surf school in Australia affiliated to Surfing Australia - the National Governing Body for the sport of surfing.

LEVEL ONE - SURF INSTRUCTOR

The Surfing Australia Level One Instructor Course is the minimum qualification required to be a surfing instructor in Australia. To obtain this award an individual must adhere to the following accreditation requirements:

1. Attendance at a two day Surfing Australia Level One Instructing Course
2. 20 hours practical instructing (beginner level) guided by supervisor coach
3. Instructing competency checklist, completed then signed off by designated supervisor coach
4. Understand and sign our ‘Coach’s Code of Ethics’ agreement
5. Surfing Australia membership
6. Working With Children Check
7. Hold any one of the following awards:
 Bronze proficiency: Surf Lifesaving Association (SLSA)
 Surf Rescue Certificate: SLSA Community award
 Ocean Rescue Award: Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS)
 OSSCA Award Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA)

State Branches conduct regular Level 1 Surf Instructor Accreditations throughout the year. For details on these courses contact the relevant State Branch or check out courses being conducted around Australia on the left hand side of this page.

LEVEL TWO - SURF COACH

To obtain the Level 2 Surf Coaching Accreditation, you need to hold the Level 1 Surf Instructor Accreditation as a pre-requisite. Courses are conducted by the National Branch several times a year. Course dates will be listed on this page and application forms can be found under the "Documents" tab.

Becoming a Level 2 Coach takes the coach from learn-to-surf through a greater understanding of competitive surfing. By gaining your Level 2 accreditation it also opens up greater opporunities to become involved in coaching at a State and High Performance level. To obtain this award an individual must adhere to the following accreditation requirements:

1. Attendance at two day Surfing Australia Level Two Coaching Course
2. 40 hours of face to face coaching practice at Novice or developing surfer level
3. Maintain practical coaching diary
4. Completion of online exam
5. Surfing Australia membership
6. Working With Children Check
7. Hold any one of the following awards:
Bronze proficiency: Surf Lifesaving Association (SLSA)
Surf Rescue Certificate: SLSA Community award
Ocean Rescue Award: Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS)
OSSCA Award Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA)

For more information regarding Level 2 courses please contact Surfing Australia's Sports Development Manager Jim Hughes on (07) 5599 3800 or by email on jim@surfingaustralia.com

 
LEVEL ONE - STAND UP PADDLEBOARD INSTRUCTOR

The Surfing Australia Level One Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) Instructor Course is the minimum qualification required to be a SUP instructor in Australia. To obtain this award an individual must adhere to the following accreditation requirements:

1. Attendance at a two day Surfing Australia Level One SUP Instructing Course
2. 20 hours practical instructing (beginner level) guided by supervisor coach
3. Instructing competency checklist, completed then signed off by designated supervisor coach
4. Understand and sign our ‘Coach’s Code of Ethics’ agreement
5. Surfing Australia membership
6. Working With Children Check
7. Hold any one of the following awards:
 Bronze proficiency: Surf Lifesaving Association (SLSA)
 Surf Rescue Certificate: SLSA Community award
 Ocean Rescue Award: Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS)
 OSSCA Award Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA)

State Branches conduct regular Level 1 SUP Instructor Accreditations throughout the year. For details on these courses contact the relevant State Branch or check out courses being conducted around Australia on the left hand side of this page.

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD - SPECIALIST MODULE 

This module is designed to be utilised as an extension of the current Level 1 & Level 2 Surf Coaching Courses, up skilling accredited coaches by demonstrating the competencies required to effectively teach the beginner skills of Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Within the module candidates have the option of completing an enclosed flat water accreditation or a beginner surf SUP accreditation, so they have the flexibility to operate in either environment depending on their circumstances.

To obtain this award an individual must adhere to the following accreditation requirements:

1. Attend a SUP Specialist Course
2. Complete your practical coaching hours, this includes session records signed off by a supervisor coach covering:
a. 5hrs of enclosed flat water coaching (for enclosed flat water accreditation only)
b. An additional 5hrs of beginner SUP surf coaching (for SUP surf coach accreditation)
3. Hold a current Surfing Australia Surf Coaching Accreditation (or Surfing Australia approved equivalent)
4. Complete SUP Specialist Module Workbook and return to State Branch with payment

On completion of these requirements your Surfing Australia Surf Coaching accreditation will be endorsed for either enclosed flat water or SUP surf on the SA database and a new coaching card will be issued.

State Branches conduct regular SUP Specialist Module Accreditations throughout the year. For details on these courses contact the relevant State Branch or check out courses being conducted around Australia on the left hand side of this page.

• RPL/RCC and other important coaching documents