No activities match your filters
Try adjusting your filters or
The Surfing Instructor course from Surfing England is designed to give aspiring coaches the knowledge and practical skills to deliver fun, safe, and effective sessions to beginner and early-intermediate surfers. The course is split into theory and practical components, delivered by accredited trainers at recognised surf centres.
You’ll be assessed delivering real-time coaching in the surf. This includes managing a group, delivering safety briefings, and guiding students through their first waves. Expect to work in waist-deep water, helping students to catch whitewater waves and progress to unbroken waves where appropriate.
The course concludes with a practical coaching assessment and submission of a short written assignment. You’ll also need to have completed a minimum number of logged assistant coaching hours (usually 20 hours, which can often be completed post-course under supervision).
Once qualified, you’ll be encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development and may choose to progress to Level 2 Surf Coach or specialist coaching pathways.
Ready to put your skills to work? adventuro lists hundreds of surf schools, lessons, and rentals across the UK to help you get started.
Once qualified, you’ll be certified to work as a Surfing England Level 1 Surf Instructor, allowing you to coach beginner and intermediate surfers under the supervision of a senior coach or surf school manager. This is the entry-level coaching qualification recognised by surf schools and activity providers across the UK and internationally.
Your qualification equips you to plan and deliver safe, engaging lessons to groups and individuals. You’ll be trained in risk assessment, beach safety, and surf-specific teaching techniques, giving you the confidence to create structured sessions tailored to your students’ ability levels.
Many instructors go on to work seasonally at surf schools, holiday camps, and adventure centres. Some use it as a stepping stone toward higher coaching levels, international travel, or setting up their own coaching services. You’ll also be eligible to join Surfing England’s coaching membership scheme, which includes insurance and continuing professional development opportunities.
The Surfing England Surfing Instructor course typically takes place over 2–3 days, combining theory sessions with practical coaching and assessment. Some centres may offer extended or modular formats. Expect full-day commitments with both beach and classroom components.
The Surfing England Surfing Instructor qualification is a hands-on, practical assessment that evaluates your ability to safely and effectively teach beginner to intermediate surfers. Assessment typically takes place over one to two days, during which your personal surfing skills, group management, communication, and lesson delivery are all evaluated. You’ll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of surf safety, ocean awareness, and how to structure a progressive lesson plan. Instructors must also show competency in performing rescues using a board. Most assessments are conducted at an accredited surf school under the guidance of a qualified assessor. If you don’t meet the standard on the day, you’ll receive detailed feedback and can re-assess once ready. You can browse and book certified Surfing England courses on adventuro’s extensive pages.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesOnce qualified, you can independently instruct surfing sessions for beginners and improvers at accredited surf schools. You’ll be certified to deliver safe, structured lessons in line with Surfing England’s national standards. This includes teaching paddling, pop-up technique, board control, and basic ocean awareness. Many instructors use this qualification to work seasonally in the UK or abroad.
To take the Surfing Instructor course, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid beach lifeguard qualification (such as the SLSGB or RLSS NVBLQ). You should also be a competent surfer with consistent control in waist- to chest-high surf. Prior experience working with groups or in a coaching role is helpful but not essential.
No, but you should be confident in your ability to catch waves, control your board, and perform basic manoeuvres such as bottom turns and trimming. The focus is on your ability to coach others rather than your own performance. A solid intermediate level of surfing is usually sufficient, and your skills will be assessed during the course.
Most of the assessment is practical, but there may be some written or oral questioning to ensure you understand key safety principles, risk assessments, and lesson planning concepts. This helps demonstrate your theoretical understanding of coaching and safeguarding responsibilities.
The Surfing Instructor course typically takes 3–5 days, including both training and assessment. Some centres offer it as a block course, while others spread it over weekends. The final assessment is usually conducted on the last day, but may be split depending on conditions and group size.
You can take the course at a Surfing England-accredited surf school. Locations vary, but most are based in popular surf areas like Cornwall, Devon, and North Yorkshire. adventuro lists a range of upcoming courses across the UK, so you can find one near you or plan a surf-focused trip.
If you don’t meet the required standard, you’ll receive constructive feedback and guidance on how to improve. You can re-assess once you’ve addressed the key areas. Some schools offer refresher sessions or one-to-one coaching to help you prepare for your reassessment with confidence.
Yes. Once qualified, you should have public liability insurance when instructing. Many instructors are covered through the surf school they work for, but if you plan to freelance, Surfing England offers instructor membership which includes insurance and access to a professional network.
The Surfing England Surfing Instructor qualification is recognised within the ISA (International Surfing Association) framework, which makes it widely accepted by surf schools abroad. However, some countries may require additional local certifications or lifeguard qualifications, so it’s best to check with your employer or host country.
Absolutely. The course is designed to help you develop coaching and communication skills, even if you’re new to teaching. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver effective sessions, manage groups safely, and adapt your teaching to different learner levels. Many instructors start with a passion for surfing and grow into confident educators through this course.