Here at Surf Coach Academy, we offer a range of Surf specific coaching courses.

The courses are run under licence from the ISA (International Surfing Association), Surfing's World Governing Body.

The ISA Coaching & Instructing Program is designed to develop the skills, knowledge and abilities of those individuals who wish to obtain a scientific approach to the coaching and instructing of surfing. The official recognition of the content of the ISA courses, comes from the Australian Coaching Council accredited Surfing Australia courses, from which the ISA programs have been customized for international use. Twenty-five years of very successful development is contained in these programs and approaches.The ISA is now releasing its own international surf coaching education programme and sees this as the establishment of an "international standard for accreditation of coaches and instructors in the surfschool industry

The objectives of the ISA Coaching & Instructing Program:

• To establish an international system of Coaching and Instructing Courses, improving the safety and efficacy of surf instruction around the world.
• To further develop, through educational programs, a body of knowledge on which Coaches and Instructors may draw.
• To provide Coaches and Instructors with employment opportunities, encouragement and support.
• To advance surf coaching and instructing as a globally standardized and highly professional activity with stringent requirements

ISA coaching awards are recognized and accepted in the following countries;

Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Costa Rica, Japan, Bali, Chile, Brazil, and many more.

Course information

The course is a blend of practical and theory-

Accreditation requirements

1. Enrol and complete ISA E-Learning course Introduction to surf instructing ISA COURSES - International Surfing Association
2. Attendance at two day ISA Level One Instructor Course and pass all course assessments
3. 20 hours practical instructing (beginner level) guided by supervisor instructor. (Session records in workbook to be completed by candidate/instructor and signed off by supervisor instructor) OR documented RPL. -Recognition for Prior Learning/experience
4. Instructor competency checklists, completed then signed off by designated supervisor instructor
5. Understand and sign ‘Instructors Code of Conduct’ agreement

Note:

• Session records - competency check list and ‘Instructors Code of Ethics’ are all contained in the Level One practical/assessment workbook
• All completed workbooks must be sent to your ISA Official Course Presenter where required.

6. National Surf Federation membership recommended
7. Hold Ocean Rescue Award that is recognised by ISA ( in UK - SLSGB ,RLSS)

Course Modules Covered

• Module 1: Role of the surf coach
• Module 2 Safety of surfer in your care
• Module 3: Instructing methods
• Module 4: Skill Development
• Module 5: Program planning
• Module 6 Equipment

Assessments

Course assessment

As instructor candidates you will be assessed as Excellent, competent or not yet competent by the course presenter during the workshops and practical sessions during and post the two day level one surf instructing course.

Competencies / Assessments

1. Venue analysis
2. Lesson planning
3. Lesson delivery
4. Personal surfing skills

Post Course

There are also Post Course requirements and further training consisting of

• 20 hours supervised coaching
• Complete Post Course workbook .

The ISA course is an internationally accepted qualification.

Candidates must be a minimum of 16 years of age to become an accredited ISA Instructor but must work under supervision of an ISA Instructor over 18 years of age. An ISA Instructor must be a minimum of 18 years of age to instruct without supervision.

Level 1 Updating Procedures

It is compulsory for all active instructors to re-register their accreditation annually and to always maintain a current ocean/beach lifeguarding award. It is also recommended to become a financial member of your National Surfing Federation.

Important

Instructors who fail to complete re-registration requirements within six months of expiry may be required to be reassessed or complete the requirements of the course subject to an application to the ISA.

Note

• A US $100.00 fee to register your updated qualification applies. This can be completed at http://www.isasurf.org/ISAstore
  
  
• All registered instructors are listed on the ISA web site

There is also a new ISA registration system that is being rolled out from 2022, known as the ISA source hub ISAsurf Source (worldacademysport.com)

All candidates will be required to register on the hub . This system will develop in time and will be the port of call for all things ISA coaching.

Level 1 course costs £350 per person

Includes course manual and ISA registration

Group discounts available upon request

To obtain the ISA Level 2 Surf Coaching Accreditation, you need to hold the ISA Level 1 Surf Coaching Accreditation as a pre-requisite. You should also have a minimum of 12 months coaching experience at level 1

Becoming a Level 2 Coach takes the coach from intermediate surfing , towards advanced level and a greater understanding of competitive surfing. By gaining your Level 2 accreditation it also opens up greater opportunities to become involved in coaching at a Higher Performance level. To obtain this award an individual must adhere to the following accreditation requirements:

1. Attendance at 3 day ISA Level 2 Coaching Course
2. 40 hours of face to face post course coaching practice at intermediate to advanced surfer level
3. COMPLETE practical coaching workbook documenting 40 hours of coaching.
4. Completion of online exam
5. Recommended NGB membership
6. Hold any one of the following awards:

Surf :Lifesaving GB ( SLSGB) Beach Lifeguard, Surf Coach Safety and Rescue, Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification – NVBLQ, ISA/ILS surf coach water safety award or an international equivalent.

Course Modules

1. Training surfers a holistic approach
2. Planning
3. Understanding the judging criteria
4. Risk Management
5. Principles of training
6. Elements of fitness
7. Development and maturation
8. Sports injuries
9. Lifestyle and nutrition
10. Sports psychology
11. Balance and force
12. Fundamental movements
13. Movement patterns of core maneuvers
14. Common Errors
15. Novice surfing skills
16. Analytical skills for surf coaches
17. Simulation Training
18. Video Coaching

Level 2 Course costs are £450 per person

Group Discounts available upon request.