In this guide
- What it is: Surfing England's entry-level award (SE1). You teach beginner lessons in waist-deep water to groups of up to 8.
- What you need first: Nothing to start. To qualify you need a recognised surf lifesaving award, safeguarding training and the surfing skills below.
- What you'll learn: How to coach, plus running safe beginner lessons.
- Cost: Surfing England lists £300 (checked October 2026).
- What's next: Coach track: Surf Coach: Progression. Work track: Surf school accreditation.
This is where paid surf teaching starts in England.
What you need to pass
You can start the course straight away. To finish and be certified, you need:
- Paddle out and turtle roll.
- Catch green waves, bottom turn and trim left and right.
- Sign the coaches' code of conduct (it's in the online course).
- An up-to-date beach lifeguard or surf lifesaving award. See surf lifesaving awards.
- Safeguarding training: Surfing England's Surf Safeguarding course (included with this award) or the NSPCC Safeguarding in Sport module. The instructor page calls this "coming soon", but Surfing England's safeguarding page already makes it a prerequisite for all its awards, and you need it for coach membership.
Age
- At 16 you can be a junior instructor, supervised by an adult surf instructor.
- At 18 you can be a surf instructor.
How it runs
- Theory online at your own pace, or 2 classroom days with a Trainer Assessor at their surf school.
- About 20 hours of trained and mentored practice on the beach.
- A final assessment.
A disabled trainee who can't meet every lifesaving or demo requirement can qualify as a Supported Surf Instructor. They lead by voice, with a colleague holding a surf lifesaving award, and the ratio changes from 1:8 to 2:8.
To work as a surf coach in England you also keep up an annual Surfing England coach membership. From 2028, Surfing England puts its coach members on the national coach register.
Already hold ISA Level 1? You can get this award through Recognised Prior Learning. See ISA Level 1.
Source: Become a surf instructor, Surf Safeguarding and National Coach Register, Surfing England; 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.
