Here at Outer Reef, we have been running surf lessons and professional development courses for over 25 years both in our home county of Pembrokeshire and worldwide. 

We still love teaching the next generation of surfers, paddle boarders and beach lifeguards, whether it’s on a windswept beach in Wales, or on the beaches of France or Bali. 

Our fearless leader, Dean, is a true waterman and has represented the GB in competitive surfing. He is a surf ambassador for UK/Europe, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, helping national governing bodies create a clear pathway for the sports development. With 25 years of experience in Surf, Sup and Lifesaving development to all ages and abilities, Dean is also very proud to work together with Disability Sport Wales, local community organisations, junior and secondary schools, National Trust and Pembrokeshire County Council, as well as global governing bodies.

We often employ people, especially locals, who have completed courses with us, so be sure to ask if you are looking for employment and we can let you know if we have any availability.

Yes we are. We have £10 million public liability insurance and all instructors & surf crew are fully qualified & members of the NGB.

Our Pembrokeshire courses will be held at our Activity Centre on Gupton Farm, Castlemartin, SA71 5HW.

Accommodation is not included in the cost of the course but we can recommend great value for money accommodation in the nearby area. 

Yes. All candidates must hold a current Surf Life Saving Great Britain membership in order to be registered on the course and receive their qualification.

If you already have an active membership for the current year, there’s nothing else to do.

If not, you can either add the membership when booking your course with us, or organise it directly with SLSGB before the course begins.

This is a governing body requirement and must be completed before the course starts so that we can register everyone correctly.

This course is great for anyone wanting to become a surf instructor, build lifesaving skills, improve their water confidence, or open up more opportunities in the outdoor industry.

You must be at least 16 years old on the day of assessment to complete the Beach Lifeguard course.

Yes. You need to be confident in the sea and comfortable swimming in open water. This is a physical course, so arriving water confident will make a big difference.

You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you do need a good level of fitness. The course includes swimming, running, rescue practice, board work and practical assessments.

Definitely. This course works really well alongside surf instructor training and gives you strong rescue, first aid and beach safety skills for working in the surf industry.

No. You do not need any previous lifeguarding experience to join the course. We’ll guide you through the training step by step.

The course covers beach safety, rescue skills, first aid, CPR, practical scenarios, board work and the key skills needed to work as a beach lifeguard.

Your qualification is valid for 2 years from the date of assessment.

Yes. It is a recognised professional lifeguard qualification and a strong option if you want to work on beaches for surf coaching or build your water safety career.

Bring swimwear, a towel, warm clothes, food, water, a pen and notebook, and any personal medication you may need. If you have your own wetsuit and gear, feel free to bring it. If not, just let us know what you need.

Do not stress. If there are parts of the course you do not complete, we offer a 3 month grace period for you to come back and finish the missing elements on a future course date. Depending on what is left, this may mean joining for part of a day, a full day, or more.

• Aquatic Risk Management (pre and on-course)
• Safeguarding (pre course)
• Roles and Responsibilities of a Lifesaver (pre-course)
• The Surf & Water Environment (pre-course)
• The working and legislative environment (pre and on course)
• Maintaining positive public relations (pre-course)
• Basic Life Support (pre and on course)
• Level 1 First Aid (pre and on course)
• Paediatric Life Support (pre and on course)
• Level 2 First Aid (pre and on course)

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION

PRIORITY/QUALIFIER

• A signed declaration of 200m timed Pool swim in under 5 minutes
  witnessed by lifeguard/swim teacher /coach in a pool of not less than
  25m (pre-course)
• Open water swim competency. The candidate will complete to the
  satisfaction of the Trainer Assessor a demonstration of open water
  swimming competency, confidence and fitness that is sufficient to be able
  to support basic lifesaving activity. (on course)

1. Attend the paddle boarding SUP Surf coaching course

2. Complete your 10 practical coaching hours, this includes completed session records and venue analysis signed off by a supervisor coach

3. Hold current safety certificates as per Flat Water accreditation

4. Complete workbook and return to ISA Course Organiser / Course Presenter

On completion of these requirements your ISA paddle boarding SUP Surf coaching accreditation will be endorsed and a new coaching card will be issued. The coaching card can be used as evidence to gain employment with a ISA affiliated SUP school.

• Coach Safety and Rescue techniques
• Aquatic First Aid, including appropriate response for a suspected spinal
  injury when operating as single or partnered surf coach
• Casualty rescue and care techniques operating in an aquatic environment
• Understanding the beach/fluvial location where you will work as a coach
  and the impact of water flow, tides, rips, weather conditions and other
  beach and water users

SURF COACH SAFETY & RESCUE

National Operating Authority for the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards. Selected clubs are able to deliver the different levels of awards through club volunteering activity. The concept of the DofE is simple – anyone aged 14 to 24 can do a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. DofE programmes are all about getting out there, having fun and self-development.  Everyone can achieve something. You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity (Gold only). DofE within Surf Life saving offers a unique opportunity to be actively involved in beach sport and with a community that saves lives and prevents drowning.

ISA Flat Water SUP Coaching Accreditation.

AIM

• To provide a National award for the Beach Lifeguard Course covering; fitness, practical lifeguarding skills & knowledge, rescue, life support & first aid in Wales and the rest of the UK

• Be a minimum of 16 years of age on the date of Assessment
• Be able to swim 400 meters in the open ocean.
• Be medically and physically fit
• Minimum hours 20 prior to assessment. 

24 months from the date of the Assessment.

Complete a swim of 200 metres in the sea.

Demonstrate two releases selected by the Assessor.

In Open Water, demonstrate effectively the ability to carry out the following:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of all signals
• Swim 100 meters (fins optional) to an unconscious, non-breathing patient. Demonstrate deep water EAV during which time the patient shall be deemed to have become conscious. Bring the patient to shore and demonstrate appropriate aftercare. The exercise must be carried out under simulated rescue conditions with an appropriate attempt to perform the rescue ‘as quickly as possible’.
• Rescue an unconscious, non-breathing, patient 150 meters from the shore using a rescue board.
• Demonstrate deep water supported EAV and return with the patient to the shore
• Rescue a conscious patient from the sea (approx. 50m from shore) without equipment demonstrating appropriate patient management and care.
• Acting as a Lifeguard, as a team leader and as part of a team, initiate the appropriate procedures at an incident and provide aftercare for 1 or 2 patients from a previously unknown simulated emergency situation. At the completion of the test, complete an Incident Report Form.
• As part of a team, rescue a prone patient with a suspected spinal injury and remove to safety.

Demonstrate appropriate action and aftercare

• Answer 5 questions from the worksheets (Beach Environment section) without referring to any notes. A mark of at least 4 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.
• Answer 10 questions from the worksheets (Lifeguard Techniques section) without referring to any notes. A mark of at least 8 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.
• Answer 5 questions from the worksheets (Communication section) without referring to any notes.
• A mark of at least 4 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.

Using a live simulated unconscious patient (not a manikin) demonstrate:

• Scene safety and assessment
• Turning a patient from prone to supine
• Open the airway & check for signs of life
• The action for vomiting and blockages
• The recovery position and aftercare
• Using a suitable adult manikin, demonstrate CPR and the use of supplementary oxygen via an effective method.
• Obtain an airway on a suspected spinal injury patient using jaw thrust

Demonstrate CPR on a:

• Child manikin
• Baby manikin

Acting individually, initiate the appropriate procedures at an incident and provide the aftercare 1 patient from a previously unknown simulated first aid situation.

Answer 10 questions from the worksheets (First Aid and Resuscitation section) without referring to any notes.

• Complete the syllabus for Assessment:

  The Assessment may be completed in sections providing that ALL sections are completed within three calendar months.

  Candidates MUST complete Section 1 (Fitness) before completing Section 2 (Lifeguard Skills, Knowledge & Rescue).

  Should the Assessment be completed over a 3 month period, the 24-month validity will commence from the date on which the first section was completed.

  When the award is renewed, the candidate may complete the Assessment one month prior to the expiration date of the old award. In this case, the 24 month period will start on the expiration date of the old award.