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Surf Instructor
All you need to know about becoming a Surf Instructor!
Qualifications/ Experience needed:
You need to have at least a basic level of surfing and knowledge of the sport (you'll have to demonstrate your surfing ability during the training). You also need a Beach Lifeguard qualification.
My Typical Day:
Depending on where you work, being a surf instructor is often seasonal so it's very suited to students and anyone who needs to make some extra cash in the summer. A typical day starts with checking if there is surf and then making sure all the wetsuits are clean and ready for lessons that day. Usually keen kids are already waiting for you when you arrive at the beach, they're bursting to get in the water. I check everyone's size and give them a wetsuit, then we all get changed. After that it's down to the beach for some safety guidelines, info on the equipment, warm up and stretching and the basis of the lesson. We hit the water for about 2 hours of practising the technique learned on the beach. Afterwards, all the wetsuits have to be washed and hung up. Then it all starts again.
What I love about my job:
The hours are quite flexible, I get to spend lots of time at the beach and in the water, I'm exercising as I work and also doing my favourite sport.
What I hate:
Sometimes you get really cold, especially if you're giving lots of lessons in one day.
How does a young person get started in this career?
You need to learn to surf first of all, then get lifeguard qualifications and finally talk to your local surf club about opportunities of work.
Qualities you need:
Patience with children and people who aren't 'naturals' at sport. Lots of enthusiasm, a love of the sea and to be mature enough to realise that taking a group of children surfing is a big responsibility.
Advice for Wannabes:
Ask your local surf instructor if you can help out giving classes with them for a few weeks. Then you'll see if you can stick the cold and washing all those wetsuits!
