National Surf Schools & Instructors Association National Surf Schools & Instructors Association (NSSIA)
The Official Professional Association for the Surf School Industry
Protecting Both Industry and Students • Established 2005
AN IRS REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Director Bruce Gabrielson in Huntington Beach Instructor Certification Class with Bruce Gabrielson and students. Orlando, Florida Surf Expo with directors and chairman, l. to r., Peter Pan, Bruce Gabrielson, Kali Montero Gerry Kantor NSSIA director and Leucadia Surf School owner.
Huntington Beach Instructor Certification Class with Chairman Bruce Gabrielson, Director Kim Hamrock and students. Orlando, Florida Surf Expo with directors and chairman, l. to r., Peter Pan, Bruce Gabrielson, Kali Montero Director Gerry Kantor of Leucadia Surf School giving a beach lesson to a group of British Soldiers recently in Afghanistan,
Surf & Stand up Paddle (SUP) Instructor /Coach
Certification		 Certified Stand Up Paddle (S.U.P.) Instructors FAQS
NSSIA Surfing Instructor Certification
Surf Instructor certification
With your renewal you will receive our newly updated manual plus your membership card and a NSSIA window sticker. If you also order our NSSIA instructors T-shirt at the same time, there is no shipping cost. Be sure to fill out and sign the renewal application.
Annual renewals for both school and instructors are due beginning January 1st.
 
NSSIA T shirt Official NSSIA T-shirts and Decals
All certified instructors now have the opportunity to display their certification credentials to the world. Our official NSSIA T-shirts and window decals can be purchased separately, or when annual dues are submitted. The cost of the shirts, is $10 each and the decals are $1 each. If ordered when dues are paid, there is no additional cost for shipping.
 
Application Process
The potential licensee turns in an application for accreditation with required fee. NSSIA will hen send the self study course, a non-disclosure agreement, and the self study certification exam. The applicant will have proprietors/references and organizations then submit notarized affidavits and supporting letters or emails to the NSSIA attesting as indicated in the requirements listed below. Upon receipt of the self study exam and all background information, the applicant is provisionally certified at the level appropriate based on background, experience, and exam score. The applicant will then need to complete the final certification by attending one of the many classes scheduled on a regular basis on the east or west coast. Note that there are slightly different final completion requirements for those instructors living in foreign countries.
Application for Surfing Instructor / Surf Coach / Stand up Paddle (SUP) Certification
click here
 
Certification Annual Renewal
**All renewals are due January 1 each year**
click here
 
Resume Template - for use by applicants
click here
 
Qualifications for NSSIA Surfing Instructor Certifications

4    Apprentice - Level 1 (New Instructors)

4    • Completion of Instructor Manual-based training course and/or passing a NSSIA approved training course presented by a NSSIA Master Level Instructor.
• 2 surfing references.
• Sign a waiver certificate that also states they have read and will implement the NSSIA approved surf etiquette/water safety training in their programs and that they will follow the NSSIA approved Surf School code of ethics.
• Minimum of 7 years verifiable surfing experience.

Photo (or color copy) of you surfing
Head photo for your membership card

4    Instructor – Level 2

4    • 2 years minimum experience as a surf instructor in a licensed surf school.
• 2 school or certified instructor references or 1 NSSIA Master Instructor reference.
• Sign a waiver certificate that also states that they have read and will implement the NSSIA approved surf etiquette/water safety training in their programs and that they will follow the NSSIA approved Surf School code of ethics.
• CPR certificate
• Minimum of 10 years verifiable surfing experience.

Photo (or color copy) of you surfing
Head photo for your membership card

4    Coach – Level 2

4    • 2 years experience as a surf coach for a high school or college
• 2 years experience as a competitor and/or contest judge
• 1 letter of recommendation from an athletic director or letter of recommendation from a current or former top 25 professional surfer
• Sign a waiver certificate that also states certificate that they have read and will implement the NSSIA approved surf etiquette/water safety training in their programs and that they will follow the NSSIA approved Surf School code of ethics.
• CPR certificate.
• Police background investigation.*
• Minimum of 10 years verifiable surfing experience.

Photo (or color copy) of you surfing
Head photo for your membership card

4    Senior Instructor - Level 3

4    • 4 years experience as a surf instructor.
• 3 accredited school or certified instructor references.*
• Sign a waiver certificate that also states that they have read and will implement the NSSIA approved surf etiquette/water safety training in their programs and that they will follow the NSSIA approved Surf School code of ethics.
• CPR certificate.
• Minimum of 10 years verifiable surfing experience.

Photo (or color copy) of you surfing
Head photo for your membership card

4    Master - Level 4

4    • 8 years working as a surf instructor.
• 4 accredited school or certified instructor references.
• 1 certified master instructor endorsement.*
• Sign a waiver certificate that also states certificate that they have read and will implement the NSSIA approved surf etiquette/water safety training in their programs and that they will follow the NSSIA approved Surf School code of ethics.
• CPR certificate.
• Police background investigation.*
• Minimum of 20 years verifiable surfing experience.

Photo (or color copy) of you surfing
Head photo for your membership card

4    Exceptions

4    * Police background investigations exclude marijuana offenses older than 4 years, alcohol offenses older than two years, and misdemeanor offenses.

4    † At this time both colleges and lifeguard groups offer surfboard lessons and surfboard classes. Recommendations and proof of experience in these venues is also acceptable.

4    † Additional Experience: Formal training in a NSSIA sponsored and endorsed instructors' training course may be acceptable for one additional year of instructor experience.

4    † If an applicant cannot meet the 2 accredited surf school or 2 certified instructor references requirements, but are otherwise qualified, they may submit an application to the Director of Certifications without references. Certifications will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

4    † If the person applying owns the surf school and has been established for a number of years, the number of reference letters and what the necessary reference letter states can be negotiated on a case by case basis. Submit your application and the NSSIA will get back to you.

4    Note: The certificates are annually renewable.
4    Updates on Instructor Certification
4    October 23, 2006 - The NSSIA instructors exam is keyed to our instructors manual. When the exam is returned, you will receive your instructors certificate and your name will be added to our web listing. Recertification does not require a re-examination.
Surfing instructors training manual Certified instructors recieve a copy of the NSSIA instructors training manual.
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AN IRS REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Always use NSSIA Accredited Surf Schools or NSSIA Certified Surfing Instructors for your surfing lessons and surf camps.