Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:58 PM AWST
22/07/2026 7:58 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Guide surfing sessions
Guide surfing sessions
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOSRF305A
SISOSRF305A
State Code
D6503
D6503
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide surfing sessions. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group on a day surfing session.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a day surfing session.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants.
- 1.2. Develop a session plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.3. Select an appropriate site or location for the session according to participant's abilities, session objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with surfing and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
- 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the session.
2. Select equipment for the group.
- 2.1. Select equipment and craft according to design and construction features and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the surf conditions.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the surfing session in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the session.
- 3.3. Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration to group to assist in self-monitoring.
- 3.4. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while surfing.
4. Supervise surfing session.
- 4.1. Demonstrate correct surfing manoeuvres to participants.
- 4.2. Monitor surfing techniques to ensure safety of participants.
- 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to session in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
5. Complete post session responsibilities.
- 5.1. Notify relevant authority of session completion.
- 5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of surfing session.
- 5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future surfing sessions.
- 5.5. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
physical capabilities and fitness level
swimming ability
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information:
safety and emergency requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety:
communication protocols
marked beach zones
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Session objectives may include:
developing surfing session skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
range of foods
perishability
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Equipment may include:
fins
wetsuit
craft
booties
leg ropes
paddles
rash vests
helmets
rescue and safety equipment
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for sit-ons.
Craft may include:
bodyboards
surfboards
soft surfboards
single and double sit on-kayaks
stand up paddle boards.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements:
safety procedures
preventative measures for risks
possible hazards
environmental impact minimisation
surfing techniques and manoeuvres
rules, codes and etiquette
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
equipment checked and undamaged
correct fitting equipment
appropriate spacing between participants
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Surfing manoeuvres may include:
selection of appropriate waves to catch and ride
catching and riding wave
standing, where appropriate to craft
traversing left and right along the face of a spilling wave
turning and linking of basic manoeuvres
displaying balance and confidence
flat water manoeuvres.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
surfing technique and manoeuvres
surfing control and balance in various conditions
attitude
surf etiquette
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
surf conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
physical capabilities and fitness level
swimming ability
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information:
safety and emergency requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety:
communication protocols
marked beach zones
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Session objectives may include:
developing surfing session skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
range of foods
perishability
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Equipment may include:
fins
wetsuit
craft
booties
leg ropes
paddles
rash vests
helmets
rescue and safety equipment
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for sit-ons.
Craft may include:
bodyboards
surfboards
soft surfboards
single and double sit on-kayaks
stand up paddle boards.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements:
safety procedures
preventative measures for risks
possible hazards
environmental impact minimisation
surfing techniques and manoeuvres
rules, codes and etiquette
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
equipment checked and undamaged
correct fitting equipment
appropriate spacing between participants
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Surfing manoeuvres may include:
selection of appropriate waves to catch and ride
catching and riding wave
standing, where appropriate to craft
traversing left and right along the face of a spilling wave
turning and linking of basic manoeuvres
displaying balance and confidence
flat water manoeuvres.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
surfing technique and manoeuvres
surfing control and balance in various conditions
attitude
surf etiquette
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
surf conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that commonly arise during surfing sessions
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure leading surfing sessions that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable surfing location or site that enables the demonstration and practice of surfing techniques and manoeuvres
a group of participants to take part in the surfing session
equipment such as suitable craft
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document surfing session for a variety of participants.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to safe conduct of all surfing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of surfing session plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOSRF304A Perform simple rescues in moderate surf conditions.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that commonly arise during surfing sessions
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure leading surfing sessions that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable surfing location or site that enables the demonstration and practice of surfing techniques and manoeuvres
a group of participants to take part in the surfing session
equipment such as suitable craft
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document surfing session for a variety of participants.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to safe conduct of all surfing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of surfing session plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOSRF304A Perform simple rescues in moderate surf conditions.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBE64 | SISOSRF004 | Lead surfing activities, small waves and basic manoeuvres | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| J511 | SIS40512 | Certificate IV in Sport Coaching | Qualification |