South Africa 10 Week Surf Instructor Course | Cape Town to Durban

Africa | South Africa

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Tour ID:121371

Ages:18 - 50

People on trip:10

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Arrival:Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Prices are Per Person

Combine the ultimate South Africa surf road trip with a globally recognised surf coaching qualification!

On this epic trip from Cape Town to Durban, you will travel the east coast of South Africa, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, improving your surf skills under the guidance of some of South Africa’s best surf coaches, including two national coaches, who will make sure that your surfing improves rapidly and in the right direction. When not surfing, you’ll get to experience the amazing culture and beauty of the country and enjoy a whole host of extra activities such as wine tasting, hiking table mountain, bungee jumping, a safari drive and partaking in meaningful community projects.

: Trip Leaders are on hand to guide you both in and out of the water all the way from Cape Town to Durban.

We think this trip is beautifully balanced between being the surfing experience of a lifetime and getting you prepared for your ISA Level 1 Surf Qualification and Surf Lifeguard Qualification.

There’s much more to being a qualified surf coach than just surfing, as it requires both ocean knowledge and excellent levels of fitness. Expect to go to a surfboard factory, hear talks on how a surfboard works and listen to swell talks to better understand the charts as you train to become the best surf instructor possible.

Ticket to Ride’s focus is to get your surfing to the next level, and the next, and so on and so forth. One of the most difficult things with surfing is keeping your progression going as it is easy to ‘plateau’. Your coaches will use photo and video analysis to improve your technique, as well as help you to reflect on your surfing and set clear goals. Beyond the daily surf lesson you will also receive a talk on surfboards, swell prediction, surfboard production and much more.
: 2024
20 Jan – 30 Mar
7 Sep – 16 Nov – please note this is GBP £100 more which will be added to your booking.
: The Qualifications
International Surfing Association (ISA) Level 1 Surf Instructor / Coaching qualification

This will be run in Durban and is a two day course run by Surfing South Africa. It has several different components, including beach safety, teaching methods, health and safety, teaching surf lessons and of course, the practical surfing test.

Lifesaving Course
Designed specifically for surf coaches and run in Durban, it covers everything from first aid, spinal board rescue and board rescue. You will also need to complete a 400 metre swim in a pool in under nine minutes. The whole trip prepares and trains you for surf instructor success, so get ready to pass and live the dream. Life’s Good.

Master the basics

Paddling / wave catching

Negotiating the line up to get to the back

The “Pop Up”

Speed control and trimming

Basic turning

Surf etiquette

Rapid Progression

Linking turns and generating speed

Developing style and flow

Introduction to different types of breaks

Introduction to more advanced surfing

Video and photo analysis

Ocean Awareness

Swell prediction course

Beach and ocean safety

Surf fitness

Also included

The opportunity to climb Table Mountain

Visit the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

The chance to conquer the world’s highest bungee jump

Surfboard talk

Safari game drive
: Airport Transfers

Surf Camp Accommodation (shared, single sex rooms)

Trip Leaders For Duration

Video Surf Analysis

All Surf Lessons

Surf Guiding To The Best Beaches

All Surf Transport

Surf Hire

Welcome Meal

Involvement In Community Projects

Photos/videos Of Your Surfing

Additional Excursions And Activities

Optional Food Add On

Surf Instructor Course

Free WiFi
: Flights

Visas

Travel Insurance

Vaccinations

Extra activities not on the itinerary
: You'll be met upon arrival by a trip leader. Also note you will finish in Durban so book return flights from there. King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
: Suitable for ages 18 to 50
Most people are 20 to 25 on this trip but we welcome anyone.
: How good at surfing do I have to be?

To pass the Surf Instructor course, you need the essential surf skills and fitness levels to gain the qualification. You must complete a timed swim of 200m completed in less than 5 minutes to prove your water fitness is strong enough.

For your surfing, you must be able to paddle out back and duck dive when needed, pop-up consistently on green waves and perform basic manoeuvres, turning both left and right.

We will work on all of this through the course.

Do I need a visa?

For most countries South African immigration will issue you with a holiday visa on arrival. This visa is free of charge and valid for 90 days. If you will be staying longer than 90 days you will need to apply for your visa extension early on in your trip. The 90 day holiday visas are only issued on the grounds that you have proof of return/onward travel out of South Africa. Please do double check with your embassy before departing for South Africa and check out the latest Foreign Travel Advice by going to gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Can I come on my own?

Of course! The vast majority of people on any of our trips come alone, as it is a great way to meet people and make lasting friendships.

Will you help me get a surf coaching job after the trip?

Yes, we have several great contacts for surf coaching in various parts of the world, and past Riders have left a good reputation as amped and capable coaches.

What is the hardest part about becoming a surf coach?

Generally speaking, people tend to struggle with the timed swim in the lifeguard course and the practical surfing element of the surf coaching course. The lifeguard course requires a timed 9 minute swim in a 400m pool and this is more than achievable, as your coaches are there to guide you throughout the trip to ensure you pass.

Similarly, we believe that everyone has the ability to pass the practical surfing element of the instructor course as long as they keep focused and practice throughout the trip. Our current pass rate is approximately 90 per cent and if you don’t pass first time around, you can always retake it down the line.

What kit is included, do I need to bring my own?

The surfboard hire is included for the first couple of weeks (i.e. Cape Town). Towards the end of these two week the group goes to Lifestyle Surf Shop and purchase boards (please budget £200-£300 for this). By this point your coaches have seen you surf and can help with the choosing process, to ensure you’re on the best board for you.

Surfboards are much cheaper in South Africa, so worth buying out there with the team. If you don’t want the board at the end of the trip, you can probably sell it for around the same price you bought it as it’s worth more at home. However, most people get quite attached 🙂

You will get more opportunities to learn about surfboard shaping and order custom surfboards along the trip.

Wetsuits are included in Cape Town as well, but we recommend bringing your own (3/2 mil will be best). Wetsuits are cheaper at home (so the opposite to boards). If you need one then we suggest looking on surfdome.com. Having your own is far nicer than using a rental as well.

How good do I need to be to pass the course?

You can be a total beginner on arrival in Cape Town. Of course you will have to pass the course, but our success rate is extremely high.

To pass the Surf Instructor course, you need the essential surf skills and fitness levels to gain the qualification. You must complete a timed swim of 200m completed in less than 5 minutes to prove your water fitness is strong enough.

For your surfing, you must be able to paddle out back and duck dive when needed, pop-up consistently on green waves and perform basic manoeuvres, turning both left and right.

We will work on all of this through the course.

What is the average age in the group?

This also varies from trip to trip, as we have quite a few people who are on their gap years, as well as various people in their twenties and up to their early 30’s, who are looking to improve their surfing and travel around South Africa.

Do you need any vaccinations?

Before you leave for South Africa please go and see your local GP, to get the appropriate vaccinations. It is important to do this in good time and we would suggest sorting this at least four weeks before you leave. For more information, please check out the following websites Fit for Travel – fitfortravel.nhs.co.uk and The World Health Organisation – who.int. If travelling to Mozambique you will need malaria medication.

Can I upgrade to a private room?

Yes you can! Whether it be a twin, double, or double en-suite just contact us for a quote.

Prices are Per Person

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The South-Africa & Mozam trip is such an epic adventure. You get to experience and surf breath-taking places with beautiful people, who really become your friends. Man I miss it out there!

Rick, 10 Week South Africa

If you’re looking for a pretty life changing adventure I’d say this would be it! South Africa was nothing short of absolutely incredible and I’ve made memories I’ll treasure. The combination of organisation plus bringing together people from all over the world is a pretty winning combination.

Ellie, 10 Week South Africa

All the locations were awesome and you can tell it's planned by people who really know the country. It was awesome travelling with coaches who had good knowledge of each spot and who would know when and where was best to go. It was a great trip to do off the back of university as it was all planned for me.

Sam, 10 Week South Africa