In this guide
- What it is: Surfing England's award (SE2) for coaching improver and intermediate surfers on unbroken waves, deeper than waist depth.
- What you need first: A Level 1 instructor award, a year teaching beginners, the full NVBLQ beach lifeguard award and safeguarding training.
- What you'll learn: Getting out back, positioning, wave selection, take-offs, turns and feedback.
- Cost: Surfing England lists £375 (checked October 2026), plus coach membership.
- What's next: Surf Coach: Performance (SE3), launching in 2027.
Beginners stay in the white water. This award takes you out back with them.
Prerequisites
- A recognised Level 1 surf instructor award (Surfing England or ISA).
- 1 year's experience teaching beginner lessons.
- Surfing in up to head-high waves, showing a range of turns and water competence out back and through the impact zone on a performance mini-mal.
- The NVBLQ beach lifeguard qualification.
- Certificated safeguarding training (Surfing England, NSPCC or equivalent). You can do it alongside the course.
- Surfing England coach membership, taken out when you book. You upload your prerequisite certificates there.
How it runs
- 2 classroom days, including 2 water sessions (conditions allowing).
- Assessed questions at the end of the classroom days.
- 20 logged lessons (30 to 40 hours) of reflective practice at your own surf school.
- A final assessed lesson with your Trainer Assessor at their school.
Training is in person with senior coaches, and you get a coaching manual and a reflective practice logbook.
The payoff: more time coaching, less beginner instruction, and Surfing England says many surf schools pay extra for higher-qualified coaches.
Source: Surf Coach Progression Award, National Coach Register and Lifesaving & Rescue Awards, Surfing England, and Rip currents, RNLI, checked October 2026.
Governing body: Surfing England. It sets the safety standards and training awards for surfing in England, so it's the official place to find out more.
Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
