TRAINING AT A GLANCE
Your Surf Instructor Training with Pure Surfcamps
- Certified ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Training
- ILS Water Safety Award, including water rescue, first aid and emergency management
- Hands-on training led by experienced and qualified ISA instructors
- Training in teaching methods, lesson planning, safety procedures and rescue techniques
- Practical sessions on the beach and in the water
- For aspiring surf instructors, surf assistants and motivated surfers aged 16 and over
- Required surf skills: controlled riding of unbroken waves both left and right
- Course duration: 1 week
- Locations in France, Portugal, Morocco and Fuerteventura
COURSES & DATES 2026
Dates for the ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Training
Our ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Training courses will take place at four selected Pure Surfcamps locations in 2026. The required ILS Water Safety Award is included with every course.
Choose from the following course dates:
- Morocco: 06/09/2026–13/09/2026
- France: 26/09/2026–03/10/2026
- Portugal: 08/11/2026–15/11/2026
- Fuerteventura: 05/12/2026–12/12/2026
Our long-standing training partner Dean Gough, ISA Course Presenter and Level 4 Surf Instructor, works alongside other qualified instructors to teach the technical, methodological and safety-related foundations required for your work as a surf coach.
The training combines theoretical content with practical sessions on the beach and in the water. Topics include lesson planning, teaching methods, safety, water rescue, first aid and professional emergency management.
Our surf courses also follow high quality and safety standards. Our surf coaches hold recognised qualifications in surf instruction and water rescue, as well as a valid first aid certificate. Required licences and certificates are reviewed and renewed regularly.
Surf Instructor Training 2026
Certified ISA Courses at Our Surf Camps
Entry Requirements
Who Can Complete the Surf Instructor Training?
In theory, any surfer aged 16 or over who is motivated, responsible and committed to improving their skills can complete the training. However, in many countries, you must be at least 18 years old to work as a surf instructor. Depending on the surf instructor qualification, you may also need to meet additional requirements and have certain prior experience.
What requirements do I need to meet?
You should meet the following general requirements for surf instructor training:
- Good overall physical fitness
- Good English skills, as English is the most commonly used language of instruction
- A strong sense of responsibility, motivation and sporting ambition
Info
What Is a Surf Assistant?
As a surf assistant, you essentially complete an internship alongside a surf instructor and gain your first practical experience in the profession. A surf assistant works under the supervision of the surf instructor. The surf instructor remains fully responsible for the surf lesson, while the surf assistant acts as their right-hand person. Surf assistants often lead the warm-up with the students, take care of the surfing equipment and have the opportunity to learn a great deal from experienced surf instructors.
- Surfing skills: Ability to ride an unbroken wave under control in both directions
- Valid lifesaving qualification
- Proof of practical experience, e.g. as a surf assistant
- Surfing skills: Ability to ride a wave confidently and perform functional manoeuvres such as bottom turns, top turns, cutbacks, re-entries and floaters
- Valid lifesaving qualification
- Valid Level 1 licence
- Professional experience: At least two months of active work as a Level 1 surf instructor
What is the difference?
Surf Instructor Level 1 & Level 2
Surf Instructor Level 1
The ISA Surf Instructor Level 1 qualification is the entry point into professional surf instruction. The training prepares you to teach beginners and early intermediate surfers safely and effectively using structured teaching methods.
- Surf instruction for beginners and early intermediate surfers
- Planning and delivering private and group lessons
- Teaching fundamental surfing techniques and safety rules
- Identifying and correcting common mistakes
- Supervising surf students on the beach and in the water
- Working alongside and assisting the Surf Head Coach
Surf Instructor Level 2
The ISA Surf Instructor Level 2 qualification is designed for experienced surf coaches who want to teach advanced surfers and take on greater responsibility within a surf school.
- Surf instruction for advanced surfers
- Individual coaching in private and group lessons
- Analysing and improving more complex surfing manoeuvres
- Targeted development of technique and individual surf performance
- Planning and coordinating more advanced training sessions
- Opportunity to take on the role of Surf Head Coach
Course Content
What Does Surf Instructor Training Cover?
Surf instructor training at Pure Surfcamps covers the following topics:
SLSA Surf Life Saver Training
Training to become an SLSA (Surf Life Saving Association) Surf Life Saver. This qualification is required to obtain both Level 1 and Level 2 certification.
- Fitness Test & Releases
- Lifeguarding Skills, Knowledge & Rescue Techniques
- Life Support
- First Aid
- Practical surf instruction
- The ABC Surfing Lesson and other techniques for teaching beginners
- The role of the instructor and coach
- Communication and teaching methods
- Teaching methodology, motivation, physical fitness and mental attitude, and how these influence the learning process and individual experience of surfing
- Planning and delivering surf lessons
- Personal surfing ability and open-water skills
- Surfboard rescue techniques
- Error analysis and correction
- Fitness training for surfers
- Surf equipment
- Performance analysis: technique, tactics and coordination
- Fitness training
- Nutrition
- Planning a training programme
- Presentation on an assigned topic
Worldwide
Where Can I Work with a Surf Instructor Qualification?
The ISA Surf Instructor Awards Level 1 and Level 2 are internationally recognised.
Once you have completed this surf instructor training, you can work at Pure Surfcamps surf schools and surf camps around the world and teach surfing internationally.
Surf instructor training is not only relevant for surfers and aspiring surf instructors, but also for PE teachers and university lecturers. With a surf instructor qualification, PE teachers, sports clubs and youth centres can organise and run surf courses, for example.
After gaining professional experience with the ISA Surf Instructor Award Level 2, surf instructors may also complete further training with the relevant surfing federation and the ISA to become qualified course presenters.
Turn Your Passion into a Career
Conclusion: Surf Instructor Training
At all Pure Surfcamps and surf schools, our surf instructors have completed recognised surf instructor training. They are qualified SLSA Beach Lifeguards, ISA-certified and teach to the highest standards.
When surfing is your passion, you are ready to take responsibility and you want to turn your hobby into a career, surf instructor training could be exactly right for you.
Become a surf instructor, make your dream a reality and share your knowledge and skills with surfing enthusiasts around the world!