A Brighter Future Through Surfing
Our courses are accredited by globally trusted organisations.
Accredited by
Change Your Life. Work In Surf.
Turn your love of surfing into an internationally recognised instructor pathway with Outer Reef Surf Academy.
Train in Europe, France, Portugal, Morocco, Bali, Indonesia or Wales through ISA Surf Instructor Courses, ILS Surf Coach Rescue, Beach Lifeguard training and complete academy programmes.
Become Qualified. Become Confident. Become Employable.
This is for surfers who want more than another surf trip. It is for people who want to coach, travel, work in surf schools, join surf camps and build a life around the ocean.
Outer Reef gives you the training, qualifications, confidence and support to take the next step.
Career Change
Step away from the normal routine and train for a job built around surfing, coaching and the ocean.
Gap Year Pathway
Build recognised qualifications before travelling, working abroad or joining international surf camps.
Coach Development
Progress your surfing, improve your teaching, build rescue skills and become more confident in the water.
Instructor Courses That Get You Work Ready
Choose a single qualification or build a complete instructor pathway with coaching, lifesaving and beach safety training.
ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor
The essential starting point for surfers who want to teach beginner surf lessons.
- Start your instructor pathway
- Learn safe lesson delivery
- Build coaching confidence
- Ideal for surf schools and camps
ISA Level 2 Surf Coach
Develop beyond beginner instruction and progress your coaching knowledge, feedback and session planning.
- For experienced instructors
- Improve coaching delivery
- Develop surfer progression
- Build your professional pathway
ILS Surf Coach Rescue
A key lifesaving and rescue pathway for surf instructors who want to be more confident and employable.
- Surf rescue skills
- Water safety training
- Emergency response confidence
- Highly valuable for surf school work
Beach Lifeguard
Build beach safety, first aid, rescue and emergency response skills for coastal and surf environments.
- Beach rescue skills
- First aid confidence
- Coastal safety knowledge
- Great for outdoor careers
We Do More Than Hand You A Certificate
You are joining a surf training pathway built over 25 years. We help surfers become instructors, instructors become coaches, and coaches connect into the wider surf industry.
Real Surf School Experience
Outer Reef has been running surf lessons, instructor courses and ocean training since 1999.
International Pathways
Train in Europe, Wales, Morocco, Bali or Indonesia and connect your qualification to travel and work opportunities.
Career Support
Suitable candidates can receive advice on surf school work, surf camps, placement hours and next steps.
From Surfer To Instructor
The strongest route is not just one course. It is a pathway that builds your coaching, safety, confidence and employability.
- Start with ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor
- Add ILS Surf Coach Rescue
- Progress into ISA Level 2 coaching
- Build Beach Lifeguard and first aid skills
- Complete placement hours and gain experience
- Connect with surf schools, surf camps and travel opportunities
Learn. Qualify. Travel. Work. Progress.
This is a practical pathway for surfers who want to build real skills and take them into the surf industry.
Learn
Develop your coaching, safety and surf knowledge.
Qualify
Complete your instructor and rescue training.
Practise
Build confidence through supervised experience.
Work
Use your training for surf schools and camps.
Progress
Continue into Level 2, lifeguarding and coaching.
Train In Europe, Morocco, Bali, Indonesia Or Wales
Choose the destination that fits your goals. France is our strongest European route. Portugal and Morocco offer warm Atlantic surf. Bali and Indonesia are ideal for surf travel and longer academy training. Wales is our home base for complete UK training.
France
ISA Level 1, ISA Level 2, ILS Surf Coach Rescue and academy pathways in one of Europe’s strongest surf regions.
Explore France
Portugal
Warm-weather Atlantic training with ISA and ILS pathways in the Algarve.
Explore Portugal
Morocco
Surf instructor, rescue and lifeguard pathways in a world-class surf travel destination.
Explore Morocco
Bali
Surf instructor training, surf development and academy lifestyle in one of the world’s most famous surf destinations.
Explore Bali
Indonesia
Longer academy-style instructor development, surf travel and international progression.
Explore Indonesia
Wales
Surf instructor, ILS, Beach Lifeguard and Outdoor Instructor Training from our Pembrokeshire base.
Explore WalesThis Is Where The Journey Starts
Once you qualify, the real journey begins. Outer Reef can help suitable students understand placement hours, surf school expectations, seasonal work, instructor development and next-step training.
Placement Hours
Understand how to build experience and complete the required supervised teaching pathway.
Surf School Work
Learn what surf schools and camps look for when taking on new instructors.
Further Training
Progress into ISA Level 2, rescue refreshers, lifeguarding and coach development.
Travel Pathways
Use your qualification as a route into surf travel, surf camps and international coaching environments.
Our France Instructor Training Pages
France is one of our strongest European training pathways. Explore the main France course page and location-specific options.
We’ll Help You Choose The Right Course
If you are unsure whether to start with ISA Level 1, ILS Surf Coach Rescue, Beach Lifeguard or a full academy pathway, contact the team and we will help you choose the best route.
Surf Instructor Course FAQs
Which course should I start with?
Most students start with ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor and then add ILS Surf Coach Rescue to become safer, more confident and more employable.
Can this help me get work?
Yes. These courses are designed to help you build the qualifications, confidence and experience needed for surf school and surf camp work.
Where is the best place to train?
France is one of the strongest European routes. Portugal and Morocco are great warm-weather options, Bali and Indonesia suit travel-focused students, and Wales is ideal for UK training.
Do I need rescue training?
Surf instructors should have strong rescue and water safety skills. ILS Surf Coach Rescue is a valuable addition to your instructor pathway.
Become A Surf Instructor With Outer Reef
Train, travel, qualify and take your next step into surf coaching, lifesaving and professional instructor work.
Award-winning Pembrokeshire adventures
Rated highly by our customers on Tripadvisor
Outer Reef is proud to be recognised with a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Read our latest reviews from surf lessons, coasteering, paddle boarding and kayaking adventures.
Read our Tripadvisor reviews
Supported By
We’re proudly recognised by trusted organisations and governing bodies locally, nationally, and internationally.
