ISA and AS Surf Instructor Level 1 France

Vieux Boucau, France

Course 1 / 2012: May 26 - June 2, 2012

Course 2 / 2012: Oct 6 - 13, 2012

Our goal is the training of competent surf coaches with the relevant surfing skills and knowledge to be able to independently instruct surfers at beginner to intermediate stage in surf schools as well as assist the head coach / Level 2 Instructor in doing his tasks in surf camps (where special skills are requested).

The course consists of the ISA L1 surf instructor course plus extra modules developed by AS to cater for the special needs of the European surf camps.

Location: really special: accomodation is in the Atlantic Surf Lodge - check out http://www.wavetours.com/gb/LGS/01_go_surfing/_products/010_france/08_atlantic_surf_lodge/facts.php

Getting there: Train (for cheap train fares check your national railroad companies and for early-booking-specials check www.tgv.com), car (all email adresses will be sent out one month before the start of the course for car-pooling), Rip Curl Express (http://www.wavetours.com/wellenreiten/in/_optionen/travel/ripcurlexpress.php) or plane (to Biarritz, from there by train or bus to Dax).

From Dax you take the public bus to Vieux Boucau les Bains: http://www.rdtl.fr

THE AS GREEN ROOM: If you travel environment-friendly by train and bus or by car-pooling (3 or more participants per car) you get 15 € of the course price back!

Costs and benefits: 780€ for:

7 days course, course manuals and workbooks (AS and ISA as PDFs), worksheets, beginner boards, examination fees - there are no hidden costs in our courses!
7 nights in the Atlantic Surf Lodge (see above: 'location')
full board: rich breakfast buffet, beach snack, dinner
ISA membership (1 year)
Name appears in ISA Surf Coach Online Register for one year
L1 accreditation
AS job service: we are in contact with more than 45 surf camps and forward their job offers to 'our' instructors
AS update service: as all knowledge is dynamic we are constantly revising our course manuals in order to include new findings. The new manuals are sent to you as PDFs to ensure your level is always state-of-the-art. It is our endeavour to not only provide one course, but also try to help you find a job and your way of life as a surfer and a friend of AS.
AS Instructor Partner-Programs: Nexo Surfboards (www.nexosurfboards.com), Patagonia (www.patagonia.com), Seidl Surfshop (www.boardshop.at) - special deals for our instructors!

Course start: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (check-in: 3 p.m.) Course starts at 3:30 sharp!

Course end: Saturday, 12:00 noon check-out

Preparations / What to bring:

As you are experienced surfers and travellers we just want to remind you of the most important things:

Surfing gear: board, leash, wetsuit, wax etc.
Pen and paper
Travel insurance, vaccinations, first-aid-kit (if you are not sure what to bring please consult a travel medicine center)

Prerequisites:

Registration via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Community-member of Austrian Surfing 1: free online-registration at: www.austriansurfing.at/en/about-us/membership
Payment of course fees (down-payment to reserve a place: 250€, the rest is due one month before course start)
You are receiving the invoice as soon as (and only if!) you have made the down-payment AND registered; the invoice is also the reservation of your place!

Austrian Surfing
Bank Austria
IBAN: AT141200051467026415, BIC: BKAUATWW

Please note "ISA and AS L1 course" in the money transfer!

NARS Surf Coach Lifesaver Award (www.austriansurfing.at/at/lifesaving-und-judging/lifesaving)
Relevant surfing skills (on board type of your choice):

Controlled surfing in beach breaks up to 1.5m faces
Basic front- and backside bottom and top turns while
Surfing green waves

4 weeks practical in a surf school / surf camp, see below 'practical'

Life Saving Certificate:

The certificate can also be handed in later (up to 1 year) - please note that in this case the Level 1 accreditations cannot be issued before we have received your certificate. However, you will receive a document stating you have participated for use in the tax office, employment center etc.

Practical:

In most legitimate surf schools and camps some sort of on-the-job-training is required. This training time can be reduced by doing a pre-practical in a surf camp prior to doing the coaching course. The pre-practical also helps you get your first experiences in the daily business of coaching and the surf camp vibes - we recommend looking for places in time and gladly help you find a place!

Due to the substantial difference in the quality of teaching of surf instructors who have done a practical and those who have not, from now on a 4-weeks-practical is a prerequisite for being awarded the accreditation. Compared to other sports, surfing - as a sport characterised by direct interaction with nature, i.e. the power and at times unpredictability of the ocean - and surf coaching need a lot more experience that cannot be completely covered in the course. This practical can be done pre- or post-course, or as a combination of both, however it fits better into your plans. We do not want to build any bureaucratic obstacles, we just want to ensure the high quality of our coaching programs! If you have any questions, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Exams:

Written exams covering all parts of the course manual
worksheets and essays
Practicals: teaching theoretical subjects and delivering the practical lesson
Surfing skills (demonstrating beginner techniques as well as own surfing skills)

Content of the coaching courses:

Improving the future coach´s surfing skills (including video analysis)
Teaching theoretical subjects
Delivery of the practical lesson
Freesurfing
Fun!
You are teaching 'real' students during the course, i.e. you are already gaining valuable 'real life' experiences!

Table of contents:

ISA Part:

1. Role of the instructor

2.Safety of the surfer in your care

3. Instructing methods

4. Skill development

5. Progam planning

6. Equpment for the beginner surfer

AS Part:

1. DEFINITION OF THE TERM „SURFING“

2. INSTRUCTING

3. AUSTRIANSURFING AND SURFING IN LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES

4. EQUIPMENT

5. THE SEA

6. RISKS IN SURFING

7. RISK MANAGEMENT AND DUTY OF CARE

8. SURF RESCUE TECHNIQUES USING SURF BOARDS

9. SURF FITNESS TRAINING

10. SURF RULES AND ETIQUETTE

11. SURFING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

12. SURFING TERMINOLOGY

13. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cancellation fees:
Until 3 months before the course: only a 30 € handling fee applies.
On cancellation within 3 months before the course: 250€ (=down-payment). Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Austrian Surfing Surf Instructor Level 1 Licence - content and duration

7 days course: 70 hours

4 weeks practical in a surf school / surf camp: 80 hours

International Lifesaving Certificate including First Aid: 50 hours

Total: 200 hours

Table of contents of 7 days course:

Part 1: Theory: 30 hours

1. Definition of the term "surfing"
2. Instructing
3. Austrian Surfing and surfing in landlocked countries
4. Equipment
5. The sea
6. Risks in surfing
7. Risk management and duty of care
8. Surf rescue techniques using surf boards
9. Surf fitness training
10. Surf rules and etiquette
11. Surfing and the environment
12. Surfing terminology

Part 2: Beach sessions (instructing): 28 hours

Part 3: Surfing skills of the instructor (including video coaching): 10 hours

Part 4: Surf rescue techniques using surf boards: 2 hours