WANt to BE A SURF INSTRUCTOR?

OR JOIN THE SHAKA CREW?

A group of people, including a young girl and a woman in a red shirt, participating in a surfing lesson on the beach. The woman is helping a large blue surfboard while others stand nearby. Sand, surfboards, and beachside buildings are visible in the background.

WHAT IS SURF INSTRUCTOR TRAINING? IS IT FOR YOU?

Embark on the initial stage of your surf coaching career. Master the essential ‘how to coach’ techniques and technical skills, empowering you to confidently conduct beginner surf lessons with safety at the forefront.

Our comprehensive course combines online or workshop-based theoretical learning with hands-on practical training and beachside mentoring. The journey culminates in a thorough assessment, ensuring you attain the necessary skills and knowledge to emerge as a certified surf instructor.

Upon completion, you’ll be equipped to kickstart your coaching journey, imparting your expertise to beginner groups in the welcoming waters of waist depth.

For more information check out the Surfing England website, contact Mark on info@shaksurf.co.uk or keep reading.

A surfing instructor teaches children how to surf on the beach, with two kids on surfboards and a group in the background.

BECOME A SURF COACH AT SHAKA

Why wouldn’t you?! It’s the best job in the world! You get to share your passion, skills, and knowledge with others, witnessing the joy of students as they embrace the world of surfing. Immerse yourself in a culture where you work alongside like-minded and passionate ocean-loving individuals.

It’s a fun journey of personal and professional development. You’ll hone your people, leadership, and coaching skills while getting paid to do what you love.

Our big kahuna Mark Reeves is a Surf Instructor Teaching Assessor with Surfing England which means you’ll get top training plus be in the line-up to join his Shaka crew.

The two qualifications you need are:
1. Surf Rescue or Lifesaving Qualification. Read all about this course and register here.
2. Surf Instructor Recreation Qualification. Full details of this course here.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

1. Sign up for your Surfing England Recreational Surf Coach Award
2. Complete the online modules in your own time.
3. Pass your Beach Surf Rescue Lifeguard course or equivalent with RLNI/SLSGB or RLSS Lifesaving.
4. Do your practical training hours at Shaka Surf, based at Branksome Dene Chine.

We can help & guide you on information and contacts to do this course locally.

Group of people in wetsuits on a sandy beach preparing for a surfing lesson with surfboards and instructor.

  • As long as you can surf to a reasonable standard ie: turn left and right, trim, turtle roll, consistently pop up, and catch a wave correctly.

  • People skills are a must, but this can take a little time to learn. At Shaka we have a solid track record of building confidence in our crew as part the training.

    We know it seems daunting. I was a nervous wreck when I first became an Instructor many years ago. Some of the most shy trainees have become our best instructors. It breeds confidence the more you train and teach.

  • Yes. You will also need to pass your Beach Surf Rescue Lifeguard course or equivalent with RLNI/SLSGB or RLSS Lifesaving.

    We can help and guide you with information, and connect you to the right people to do this course through locally.

  • You need to be at least 16 years old to do the courses and training with Shaka.

  • Part 1. The Surfing England Recreational Award costs £300. You pay surfing England direct when you sign up for their course online.

    Part 2. The Surf Rescue Course. Price can vary but it's around £300 for this.

    So all up around £600 to become an instructor.

  • Part 1. Online training modules: 10 hours in your own time.

    Part 2. Life Guard / Surf Rescue course: 3 days.

    Part 3. Practical training at Shaka: 20 hours, or when Mark feels you are ready.

 FAQs

A black and white illustration of a hand making the 'shaka' sign with the thumb and pinky finger extended, and the thumb and little finger touching, accompanied by the phrase 'NO WORRIES' in stylized white letters.
People participating in a surfing lesson on a sandy beach with surfboards, instructors, and a group in the background preparing for paddleboarding.

JOIN THE SHAKA CREW

We are always keen to find star players to join our team for our UK Spring/Summer season - April to October. It’s a combination of part-time weekends 8am to 5pm plus full-time during peak season and school holidays.

We are based on the beautiful Branksome Dene Chine beach on the South Coast between Bournemouth and Sandbanks.

Job includes teaching surfing when the waves are up or paddleboarding on flat days, setting up and packing up, dealing with walk-in hire and beach-based customer service. We take pride in delivering exceptional service for our clients with our 5 star reviews.

Key attributes we look for.

  • Love working with people

  • Experienced surfing skills & ocean knowledge

  • Fit, healthy & enjoy working in the water in all kinds of weather conditions

  • Driving Licence preferable (not essential)

  • Committed and reliable

  • Love of surfing/paddleboarding & its culture

  • Hold current Beach LifeGuard Qualification (RLSS, SLSGB)

  • Teaching or instructing experience advantageous, but not essential

  • Surf Coaching Qualification required. Staff training provided to successful applicants. (You can also complete the required 20 hours of work experience with us, if you have just completed your Level 1 Course).

Essentials for our Shaka Surf crew.

  • Great customer service skills and a big smile

  • Enjoy the outdoors and beach/surfing environment

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal & presentation skills

  • Decent level of English and maths

  • Enjoy working a busy environment

  • Happy being part of a diverse team.

Salary negotiable depending on experience.

If you think you have what it takes to join our team of friendly, fun, energetic and hard-working team, please apply with a CV and brief covering letter via email here.

Group of people on a sandy beach participating in stand-up paddleboarding lessons, wearing wetsuits and brightly colored shirts, with surfboards on the sand and beach huts in the background.
People sitting on the sand at a beach with paddleboards and surf equipment. There are flags, tents, and a trailer with signs for surfing lessons. In the background, a cliff with trees, and more people walking along the beach.