THE WORLD'S FIRST SURF-SPECIFIC TRAINING CERTIFICATION

An online course designed to provide you an evidence-informed training system to elevate your career and enhance surfing physical performance outside of the ocean.

for Surf Enthusiasts | for Personal Trainers | for S&C Coaches | for Surf Coaches | for Physical Therapists | for Physiotherapists | for Breathing Coaches | for Movement Coaches | for Exercise Physiologists 

Become certified to avoid guesswork and help surfers unlock their potential

SURF FOUNDATION SPECIALIST LEVEL 1 ONLINE

LEVEL 1 - ONLINE
  • Delivery mode
    Online
  • Study time
    30 hours
  • Content time
    20 hours
  • TSP Master Coaches
    6
  • Modules
    8
  • Certification
    SFS Level 1

ONLINE

Flexible education experience, from wherever you are, whenever you want.

EVIDENCE-INFORMED

Informed by research and experience from university scholars, educators, scientists and industry professionals.

COMMITTED 

Every time we register a new certified Surf Foundation Specialist we donate to SurfAid to help promote their current and future projects.

Sound like something your brain's been whispering lately?

  • How do I learn to give precise and clear instructions?
  • How do I turn my hobby into a paycheck?
  • How can I adapt my coaching to different learning styles?
  • How can I understand the common problems that are holding surfers back?
  • How do I get my surfers to follow instructions… the first time?
  • How can I be confident that the exercises I am prescribing are actually improving surf performance?
  • How can I improve surfers breath hold?
  • How much mobility do surfers need?
  • How can I help surfers paddle faster?
  • How can I avoid surfers neck hurting from paddling?
  • How much strength do surfers need for paddling performance?
  • How do I account for unpredictable surfs as a strength and conditioning coach?
  • How can I improve surfers paddling endurance?

Become an SFS and stand out from the rest

COACHING

Improve your communication and set action goals to elicit sustainable change.

BREATHING

Assess breathing patterns and design safe apnea protocols to boost surfers' confidence.

MOBILITY AND STABILITY

A joint-by-joint approach to injury prevention and surfer longevity.

STRENGTH AND POWER

Understand how much strength and power is needed for surfing.

ENERGY SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

Test, compare and potentiate all energy systems involved in a surf session.

RECOVERY

Improve your client turn-over and performance results with a sustainable approach to training.

Improve surfers confidence

Do surfers ever ask you: "Are two wave hold downs common in surfing?" The answer is yes, and this course will help you design safe and effective training programs to empower surfers breath hold ability. 
"Before starting the SFS course I felt I had a fairly broad range of knowledge and experience in Exercise Science and from coaching a wide variety of individuals. However I wanted to be able to take the guesswork out of what I thought would be best to prescribe surfers and what experts actually prescribe under a proven / evidence based approach. Doing so has filled many gaps for me personally that I felt had previously existed."
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REDE FRISBY - SFS LEVEL 1

What do certified SFS have to say?

"A master piece" | "The core of surf coaching" | "Practical"

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WATCH A FREE PREVIEW FOR EACH MODULE

Explore the course content!

Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Module 7
Module 8
Module 9

INTRODUCTION

 Introduction.  00:45
 Mission and Values.   12:52
 Understanding Surf Foundation.   02:39
 The ADDIE Process.   05:10
 SFS Components.   03:12
 References.   

TSP COACHING JOURNEY

 Introduction.   03:15
 Communication.    25:20
 Motivational Discovery.   19:02
 Goal Achieving Process.   09:05
 Surfer Profiling Template.   18:23
 Surfer Profiling Template.   8 pages  
 Learning and Coaching Styles.   16:35
 Effective listening questionnaire.   
 What type of coach do I want to be?
 References

BREATH DEVELOPMENT

 Introduction.   02:46
 Breathing Essentials.    23:50
 Breathing Mechanics.   29:44
 Breathing Support.   19:27
 Breathing Efficiency.   02:52
 Breathing Control.   8 pages  
 CO2 Tolerance
 CO2 Tolerance Safety Exam
 Breathing Summary
 AIDA Medical Statement.   16:35
 Discmofort Scale.   
 References

FOUNDATION DEMANDS

 Introduction.   03:15
 Movement and Energy Demands.    25:20
 Paddling Determinants.   19:02
 Chronic Injuries.   09:05
 Paddling Technique.   18:23
 Paddling Technique Analysis Template.   8 pages  
 References

STABILITY AND MOBILITY

 Introduction.   03:15
 Defining Stability and Mobility.    25:20
 Assessment Tools.   19:02
 Stability Program Design.   09:05
 Mobility Program Design.   18:23
 Stability and Mobility Workflow.   8 pages  
 Interactive Practice.   
 References

RESISTANCE TRAINING

 Introduction.   03:15
 Resistance Training Principles.    25:20
 Surf Specificity.   19:02
 Strenght Program Design.   09:05
 Interactive Practice Q&A.   18:23
 Interactive Practice Exercises with minimal equipment.   8 pages  
 References

ENERGY SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

 Introduction.   03:15
 Surf Foundation ESD.    25:20
 Energy Systems Analysis.   19:02
 ESD Program Design.   09:05
 ESD Testing PDF.   18:23
 References

TSP COACHING JOURNEY

 Introduction.   03:15
 Stressor Types and Magnitudes.    25:20
 The Surfer Monitoring System.   19:02
 The Surfer Monitoring System Tutorial.   09:05
 Recovery Strategies.   18:23
 References

FINAL EXAM

 Conclusion.   18:23
 SFS Final Exam.   8 pages  
 Feedback Form.   16:35
 Certificate of Completion.   

"A master piece" | "Practical" | "The core of surf coaching"

Meet our master coaches

From surf-specific PhDs to strength coaches who work with elite CT-level surfers, our master coaches bring a wealth of experience and cutting-edge knowledge to guide you every step of the way. With their expertise in both the science and art of surf training, you'll learn from the best in the business, ensuring you're equipped with the skills to elevate your coaching and help surfers reach their full potential.
Pere Campistol
Daniel Moffatt
Donna Massing
Dr. Steven Duhig
Dr. Oliver Farley
Kati Ferguson
ELEVATE YOUR SURFING CAREER

BECOME A CERTIFIED SFS COACH

CONNECTING TO THE PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Our goal is to connect like-minded people through surfing, giving back to the community and the environment that govern our passion. So here's our promise: Each of our courses will have an associated positive impact that gives back to the community or the environment. 

Our first action was to link the SFS with SurfAid. Every time we register a new certified Surf Foundation Specialist we will donate to SurfAid to help promote their current and future projects. Having said that, you can also help us raise funds through donations to our SurfAid page. 

Surf Foundation Specialist FAQ's

How much does it cost?

The SFS On-line course is 780€ .

How long can I access the course content for?

Once you've purchased the SFS Online course, you will have lifetime access to all the video and e-book content. 

Why is the SFS course delivered Online?

The SFS On-line course delivery mode helps us make education accessible all around the world. The Covid pandemic has come with massive improvements in Online education. Our surf education online platform includes interactive videos and learning activities, interactive questions, downloadable PDF's and a lot more. 

Read a review from one of our recently certified SFS Coaches: "The SFS course was very well presented and laid out - the way the topics were structured meant that I could very easily "hit pause" when life got in the way - and come back to my place in learning with no difficulty to resume where I had left off. I felt all of the presenters and the entire SFS Community of fellow learners' (which exists as an additional form of background support), were readily approachable if I got out of step with any course concepts to quickly help me back on track."

Are the SFS lectures live or recorded?

The SFS Online certification is pre-recorded so that you can study self-paced, from anywhere at any time. 

What is Surf Foundation?

Surf Foundation involves all non-wave riding components, including coaching, breathing, paddling and duckdiving. 

What will I learn in the SFS online course?

After the completion of this course, you will understand The Surf Pentagon mission and values, and become an expert within all elements of Surf Foundation. The SFS brings foundational coaching concepts to your awareness, improving your ability to communicate, motivate, understand and coach surfers. It dives deep into the breathing pillars of; essentials (basic physiology), mechanics (respiratory muscle activation patterns and awareness), support (dynamic stability), efficiency (respiratory muscle strengthening), control (physiological and psychological regulation) and CO2 tolerance (hypercapnic exercises specific to surf situations). In this course, we will explore paddling and duckdiving in great detail, including movement phases, muscle activation patterns, mobility, stability, strength and energy systems. We will present the ADDIE System and provide a Foundational Analytic Tool Kit to assess surfers abilities and design efficient training programs for peak performance, while mitigating injury risk. Finally, the Surfer Monitoring System has been designed to track surfer's stress and recovery levels to guide the application of evidence-informed recovery strategies to elicit the best adaptations.

Will this course cover wave-riding?

No, this course is focused on Surf Foundation so you become an expert at improving the activities that account for more than 80% of a surf session. Surf Performance will be covered in the Surf Performance Specialist (SPS) course. However, we strongly recommend completing the SFS to solidify your foundational knowledge. Register your interest for the SPS below to stay up-to-date with the latest news.
Thank you! We are currently developing the SPS certification with The Surf Pentagon team and a talented group of TSP Master Coaches. We will get back to you with more information as soon as possible

How does the SFS compare to other options?

The SFS is a pioneering course like no other on the market. It is the first time a group of passionate surfers and exercise scientists analyse the sport and build a training system to certify professionals. 

What type of work can I do with surfers after I get certified?

Using the ADDIE System, you will be able to Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate cutting edge surf-specific training programs to improve foundational components that account for the majority of a surf session (80%). This includes a systematic and reliable assessment protocol to design training programs for your surfers. Work with them in the swimming pool and gym to enhance all breathing components, mobility, stability, strength and energy systems. You´ll also become competent in implementing a stress monitoring system and best-practice recovery strategies. 

What support is available after the course?

TSP will offer 8-week Online Mentorships for coaches who want to solidify their knowledge and refine their practice. You will get a personal experience with direct contact to TSP Master Coaches and other like-minded individuals. Register your interest to find out more.
Thanks! We are currently organising the next SFS Online Mentorship Program dates. We will get back to you with more information as soon as possible.

Do you offer any special packages for surf schools, gym-owners or organisations?

Absolutely! We firmly believe that the SFS can transform your surf school into a year-round, swell-independent venture, expanding the range of services you can provide. For team packages and further inquiries, please feel free to get in touch with us at info@thesurfpentagon.com.