SLSGB Surf Coach Safety and Rescue Courses in Newquay

Designed for aspiring surf coaches and instructors, these SLSGB Surf Coach Safety and Rescue courses develop the rescue techniques, safety awareness and operational knowledge required for working within surf coaching environments. Combining classroom learning, ocean training and practical rescue assessments, the courses prepare candidates to operate safely and confidently in a range of beach and surf conditions.

🌊 Key Details

• Duration: 3 days
• Location: Newquay Harbour, Newquay, Cornwall
• Minimum Age: 18 years

🏄 Key Skills

• Surf rescue techniques
• Group and beach management
• First aid and casualty care
• Risk assessment and safety planning
• Water confidence and emergency response

🌊 What to Expect

Training begins at the harbour base with course introductions, safety briefings and an overview of the SLSGB coaching and rescue pathway. Across the three days, candidates complete a mixture of classroom-based theory and practical ocean training designed to prepare them for real surf coaching and rescue situations. Sessions are physically demanding and focus heavily on both operational safety and practical decision-making in the water.

Practical training takes place across a range of beaches around Newquay depending on sea conditions and course requirements. Candidates work through rescue scenarios, casualty handling exercises, surf rescue techniques, first aid procedures and group management skills while learning how to assess risks and operate safely within dynamic beach environments. The course also covers beach selection, equipment handling, environmental awareness and working alongside emergency services during incidents.

Candidates can choose between the Surf Coach Safety Award or the Surf Coach Rescue Award depending on the level of coaching and rescue responsibility required. The Safety Award focuses on coaching within ankle to waist-deep water environments, while the Rescue Award expands into deeper water rescue capability and offshore student recovery. Fitness testing, swim assessments and rescue scenarios form part of both pathways alongside formal assessment elements throughout the course.

📍 Location

Operating from Newquay Harbour provides direct access to sheltered teaching areas alongside nearby surf beaches suitable for realistic rescue and surf coaching scenarios. The surrounding coastline offers varied conditions which help prepare candidates for different operational environments and coaching situations.

Training locations may vary each day depending on swell, tides and weather conditions, allowing instructors to deliver the most suitable conditions for each element of the course syllabus.

✅ Prerequisites

Candidates must hold valid SLSGB membership and complete the required pre-course literature before attending the programme.

For the Surf Coach Safety Award, candidates must swim 200 metres continuously in under 5 minutes and complete a 200 metre run in under one minute. For the Surf Coach Rescue Award, candidates must complete a 400 metre swim in under 8 minutes alongside the same 200 metre run requirement.

⭐ Why Choose Us

Using years of lifeguarding, surf safety and watersports instruction experience, the instructor team focuses on delivering realistic rescue and coaching training within genuine coastal environments. Training combines practical rescue development with operational coaching knowledge to help candidates build confidence both in and out of the water.

Mel helps candidates prepare before arriving while the wider team brings extensive experience across coastal rescue, surf instruction and emergency response training. Operating directly from Newquay Harbour also provides excellent facilities including classrooms, changing rooms, equipment storage and quick access to multiple training beaches.