Surf Instructors' Course
The British Surfing Association (BSA) Level 1 Surf Coaching Award is the official qualification required to work as a surf coach in the UK. The course covers all aspects of surf coaching including surf safety, surfing techniques and group management. Successful participants will go on to coach surfers from beginners to intermediate.
Our BSA Level 1 courses are run from specifically designed lecture rooms close to local accommodation and shops - so private transport is not a necessity. The beach based aspects of the course are run from Summerleaze Beach in Bude using standard Big Blue Surf School equipment. This makes role play and coaching practice all the more realistic and offers a more complete learning experience. Free tea and coffee are provided.
This course is run by our Senior Coach Jon Price, a British Surfing Association level 4 coach and Trainer Assessor. Jon has extensive knowledge of all areas of surf coaching from beginner to pro and coaches at English and British Team level. His knowledge and experience will give you the best possible start to your coaching career.
The course is split in to three sections:
1 A pre-course workbook.
2 A three day course which includes:
• Lectures and workshops covering best practices and theory of surf coaching.
• Practical on the beach sessions which will teach you how to run beginners’ surf lessons.
• You will also be given a surf related topic prior to the course on which to present a ten minute lecture and sit a 1 hour written paper.
• During this section of the course you will be assessed on your personal surfing ability, professional approach, communication and interpersonal skills as well as your written paper and lecture.
3 After passing part 2 you will need to do 30 hours coaching experience with a BSA Approved Surf School or Activity Centre, (candidates may be able to complete these hours with Big Blue). You will then be assessed on your coaching ability.
Before you sign up for a course you will need a current beach lifeguard qualification, (SLSA Surf Coach Lifesaving Award, SLSA Beach Lifeguard Award, RLSS Beach Lifeguard Award) and at least two years’ surfing experience – you should be able to paddle out back in up to two metre surf and catch and ride unbroken waves both left and right showing good control and the ability to bottom and top turn consistently.
BSA Level 1 Coaching Courses cost £250 per candidate. This includes a year’s BSA membership.
Look out for next year's course dates here....All courses will be held in Bude and run by BSA Trainer Assessor Jon Price.
Call us now or send an email to book onto one of the above courses.
