8 Week Professional Instructor Training
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Outdoor Instructor Training Courses In Pembrokeshire, Wales
Transform your passion for outdoor adventures into a career with Outer Reef’s 8-week Outdoor Instructor Training Course in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Train across surfing, coasteering, paddle boarding, kayaking, beach lifeguarding, rescue skills, leadership and outdoor activity operations with a team that has been developing instructors since 1999.
8 weeks - £4200 - accommodation, training and equipment package included
Outdoor Instructor Training At A Glance
8
Weeks Of Professional Training
£4200
Course Investment
500+
Instructors Trained
1999
Established In Wales
- 8-week Outdoor Instructor Training Course in Pembrokeshire, Wales
- 4 days per week, usually 9am to 5pm
- Surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, coasteering and beach lifeguarding
- Self-catering accommodation included
- Personal water sports equipment package included
- Use of a wide range of water sports equipment
- Designed for outdoor careers, gap years and career changers
- Training opportunities depend on conditions, competencies and individual progression
Turn Your Passion Into A Career
Have you always dreamt of living a healthy outdoor lifestyle and getting paid for it? This intensive course gives you the qualifications, experience and professional confidence to move into the outdoor adventure industry.
You’ll spend 8 weeks training on beautiful Pembrokeshire beaches and coastlines alongside other people who want to turn their love of adventure into a rewarding career.
Surf, Rescue, Paddle Sports And Outdoor Adventure
These images show the full instructor pathway: surf coaching, lifeguarding, paddle boarding, rescue skills, academy life and international progression.
What’s Included In Your 8 Weeks?
Throughout the programme you’ll build practical coaching experience, leadership skills and operational confidence across multiple adventure activities.
Surfing, Lifeguarding & Safety
- Surf coaching development
- Beach lifeguarding
- Surf rescue skills
- First aid training
- Incident management
SUP, Kayaking & Jumbo SUP
- Stand up paddle boarding
- Kayaking and canoeing
- Jumbo SUP leadership
- Water safety awareness
- Equipment management
Coasteering, Team Building & Operations
- Coasteering guide development
- Team building
- Risk assessments
- Planning and logistics
- Professional conduct
Ocean Confidence
Personal surf development, water safety, fitness and rescue foundations.
Coaching Skills
Lesson structure, communication, group management and practical delivery.
Multi-Activity Training
SUP, kayaking, coasteering, equipment handling and coastal leadership.
Real-World Experience
Operational practice, assessments, professional development and progression planning.
Qualifications & Training Pathways
- ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor
- ISA Level 2 Surf Instructor
- ISA Level 1 Flat Water SUP Instructor
- SLSGB Surf Lifeguard Qualification
- SLSGB Surf Coach Rescue and Safety Competency
- Level 1 Emergency First Aider
- Level 2 Intermediate First Aider
- In-house Kayak Guide Training
- In-house Coasteering Guide Training
- In-house Jumbo SUP Leader Training
- In-house Wildlife Awareness Training
- Incident Management, Safety and Rescue Training
Duration, Prerequisites & What You Need
Course Duration
- 8 weeks of professional outdoor instructor training
- 4 days per week
- Usually 9am to 5pm
- Based in Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Training locations vary with conditions
Prerequisites
- Minimum age 18 years old
- Good level of fitness in water and on land
- Swim 200m in a pool within 5 minutes
- Achieve 400m swim in under 8 minutes by the end of the course
- Run 200m in under 1 minute
- Strong teamwork, leadership and communication skills
You do not need previous qualifications or to be highly experienced in every activity. The course is designed to help you gain confidence, experience and practical skills throughout the programme.
Outdoor Instructor Training Course Dates
Choose from a range of rolling 2026 start dates. Each programme runs for eight weeks, so the dates overlap by design and allow you to select the start that best suits your plans.
Accommodation, Equipment & Training Package
The £4,200 course fee covers the core eight-week training programme, accommodation and the equipment package described below. Exact equipment and accommodation arrangements can vary slightly by season and availability, so candidates should confirm the latest details before booking.
Self-Catering Accommodation
- Accommodation for the eight-week programme
- Shared student living environment
- Self-catering kitchen facilities
- A base close to the Pembrokeshire training locations
- Opportunity to live and train alongside other candidates
Personal Equipment Package
- Wetsuit suitable for the training period
- Dry robe or changing robe
- Dry bag
- Additional practical equipment according to individual needs and season
- Guidance on caring for and using equipment professionally
Training Equipment & Support
- Use of surfboards and surf coaching equipment
- Use of paddle boards, kayaks and jumbo SUP equipment
- Safety, rescue and coasteering equipment
- Practical coaching and operational experience
- Mentoring, feedback and progression support
Get Paid To Work Outdoors
The programme is designed to improve your employability by combining qualifications, practical experience and an understanding of how outdoor activity businesses operate.
Experience During The Course
- Observe and support real activity sessions where appropriate
- Develop confidence with equipment, customers and group management
- Gain an understanding of surf school and activity-centre operations
- Build evidence of practical experience for future applications
Where This Pathway Can Lead
- Surf schools and watersports centres
- Outdoor education and adventure activity providers
- Seasonal work in the UK and overseas
- Summer camps, community programmes and tourism businesses
- Further surf, SUP, rescue and leadership qualifications
Some candidates may be offered paid or voluntary experience during the programme when suitable opportunities are available. Employment is never guaranteed and depends on performance, qualifications, vacancies, right-to-work requirements and the needs of the business.
Real Stories From Previous Candidates
For the strongest possible conversion impact, add two or three verified graduate quotes here, ideally including what they did before the course, what they achieved and where they work now.
Recommended Testimonial Format
“I joined the course because… During the eight weeks I achieved… I now work…”
Use real names, real photographs and verified outcomes only.
Train In Pembrokeshire, Wales
The course is based around Pembrokeshire, with training locations chosen around weather, swell, tides, activity type and safety.
Tenby
Surf school operations, beach coaching, customer flow, children’s sessions and summer activity delivery.
Manorbier
A key Pembrokeshire beach for surf coaching, rescue awareness and adapting sessions to conditions.
Stackpole Quay
Useful for coastal journey planning, paddle sports, environmental awareness and leadership development.
Freshwater West
A powerful surf environment for beach awareness, surf rescue thinking and advanced ocean decision-making.
Newgale
Long beach environment for surf sessions, rescue awareness, group management and coaching progression.
Watch The Outdoor Instructor Experience
Get a feel for Outer Reef training, surf coaching, instructor pathways and adventure lifestyle.
Outdoor Instructor Training FAQs
Do I need previous experience?
No. You do not need previous qualifications or to be highly experienced in the activities before joining.
Can this lead to paid work?
Yes. The course is designed to improve employability within outdoor centres, surf schools and adventure tourism businesses.
What is included?
Training, accommodation, access to equipment, coaching development and instructor pathway opportunities are included throughout the course.
Where is the course based?
Pembrokeshire, Wales, including beaches, coastlines and activity locations chosen according to conditions.
Is this suitable for gap year students?
Yes. Many students use the course as a gap year pathway or outdoor career transition.
How do I book?
Use the booking button to view availability and reserve your place online.
Explore More Instructor Courses
Continue your journey through Outer Reef’s full instructor training pathway.
This Could Change Your Life
There is no better way to find out if outdoor instruction is the career path for you. Spend 8 weeks developing skills, confidence, friendships and experiences that could shape your future.
Award-winning Pembrokeshire adventures
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