Everything You Need to Know About the Training
All About Surf Instructor Training
How do you become a surf instructor, and how are the surf instructors at Pure Surfcamps trained? What topics does a surf instructor course cover, what requirements do you need to meet, and where can you work with the qualification? Here you can find everything you need to know about surf instructor training!
TRAINING WITH PURE SURFCAMPS
Surf Instructor Training to International Standards
At Pure Surfcamps, you can complete your ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course, including the required ILS Water Safety Award. The lifesaving qualification covers essential skills in water rescue, first aid and professional emergency management.
Our long-standing training partner Dean Gough, ISA Course Presenter and Level 4 surf instructor, works alongside other qualified trainers to teach you the technical, instructional and safety-related fundamentals required to work as a surf coach.
What to expect:
- Certified ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor Course
- ILS Water Safety Award, including lifesaving training
- Experienced and qualified ISA Course Presenters
- Practical training sessions on the beach and in the water
- Courses at selected Pure Surfcamps locations
Our surf lessons also meet 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. All 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
- Teaching beginner surfers
- Providing private or group surf lessons
- Assisting the Head Surf Coach
Surf Instructor Level 2
- Teaching advanced surfers
- Providing private or group surf lessons
- Opportunity to work as a Head Surf 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!