Get a life! Become a qualified surfing instructor! There are few more rewarding ways of earning a living than seeing the stoked grin on the face of someone who has just stood up and ridden their first wave. Or sharing in the achievement of an intermediate or advanced level surfer who has perfected a new manoeuvre or accomplished a great contest result!

And you can do this right where every surfer would rather be - on the beach or in the surf.

Surfing South Africa (SSA), the national controlling body for the sport, has appointed the Kahuna Surfing Academy as its service provider to implement their SSA Accredited Surf Instructor program.

Dene Botha, an internationally qualified Level 3 surf instructor, is currently SA's only accredited Trainer and Assessor for these courses which are run in the major coastal centres on a regular basis.

SSA Level 1 and Level 2 courses are the only accredited surf instructors qualifications available in this country and are suitable for coaching surfers from beginners (never surfed before) to elite level competition surfers.

SSA Surf Instructor - Level 1

• A current Beach Life Saving Qualification acceptable to SSA
• At least two years personal surfing experience

SSA Level 1 surf coaches need to demonstrate that their personal surfing ability is of an acceptable standard and that they are competent to instruct surfers (on land and in the water) from beginners (never surfed before) through to intermediate level (able to paddle outside, catch green waves and ride right and left while performing basic manoeuvres).

Level 1 is aimed at individuals with experience of surfing who are new to surf coaching or who have been coaching basic surfing techniques and want to improve their coaching ability and standard. This comprehensive course covers all aspects of surf coaching including communication and teaching techniques, safety considerations and risk assessments, the ABC method of getting beginners to stand up and ride waves for the first time and how to plan and run surfing courses

The Level 1 award is the minimum requirement for Surf School and Surf Club coaches, School Teachers and others wishing to teach the sport as SSA Accredited Surf Instructors.

SSA Surf Instructor - Level 2

• A current Level 1 Award (that has been held for a minimum of 6 months)
• A current Beach Life Saving qualification (acceptable to the SSA)
• Complete, within the past 12 months, a certified coaching course run by the National Governing Body of another sport (or similar course acceptable to SSA).

An SSA Level 2 surf coach should have been surfing for at least 5 years and has good personal surfing ability. This course is aimed at individuals wishing to coach surfers from Intermediate to Advanced Level.

The qualification is particularly relevant for coaches working in senior positions within Surf Schools and covers performance analysis, fitness training and exercise, diet and nutrition, program planning and health and safety considerations for sports coaches.

Contact the Kahuna Surfing Academy to find out more details on how to become an accredited surf instructor and when and where the next courses will be conducted.