SURFPLUS

SURFPLUS / COACH FIELD GUIDE

Ride well. Teach progress.

A field guide for preparation, the beach and the review. Understand each level, then teach through steps you can observe, explain and build on.

Become an IASE instructor
G1 — G6GOALS / TEACHING / REVIEWEDITION 01 / 2026

01 / EXPLORE THE LEVELS

What are you teaching today?

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G1

Independent shallow-water rides

G1

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Control the board, pop up independently, ride straight and exit safely in shallow water.

Before you start: Check water confidence, physical readiness, communication and safety awareness; the on-site coach chooses the area and equipment.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Establish safe habits

    Explain boundaries, spacing, regrouping signals and fall protection, then demonstrate board handling through whitewater.

  2. 02

    Make the pop-up observable

    Connect the push-up, leg movement and foot placement on land. Address one issue at a time before entering the water.

  3. 03

    Practise the entire ride

    Observe the full sequence from independent start and pop-up to stance, safe exit and return; gradually reduce assistance.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Look ahead, place your feet, then settle into the ride.

Looking down: set a visual target on land. Repeated kneeling: review support and leg movement rather than simply asking the learner to stand.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Record independence, ride duration, exit control and the single most useful correction.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height < 0.3 m

  • Stand steadily and ride straight for more than 3 seconds
  • The movement does not have to be fully fluid
  • No grabbing the leash, colliding with others or unsafe dismounting

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units
G1-1Surf warm-upLesson content
Surf warm-up
Prepare your shoulders, hips and ankles for the movements in the session.
Surf equipment
Recognise the board and leash and learn how to use them correctly.
Surf safety
Build safe habits around spacing, protecting your head and responding to a fall.
Getting onto the board
Get onto the board with control and establish balance before rushing the next movement.
Prone position
Find your balance while lying on the board and keep your body and the nose steady.
Paddling turns
Stay prone and maintain forward movement while changing the board’s direction in a wider arc.
G1-2Understanding whitewaterLesson content
Understanding whitewater
Read the direction and energy of broken waves and recognise whitewater suited to the exercise.
Board control through whitewater
Practise moving through approaching whitewater while keeping control of the board.
Push-off from the seabed
Practise an independent push-off in water depth selected by the coach, then connect it to the pop-up.
Pop-up
Connect the push-up, movement of your legs and foot placement into one pop-up.
Safe dismount
Finish the ride with a controlled dismount that protects you and people nearby.
G1-3Basic surfing stanceLesson content
Basic surfing stance
Use foot placement, balance and gaze to support a stable ride.
Straight riding
Maintain balance through a complete straight ride near shore.
Spacing between waves
Observe the gaps between waves when deciding when to start and return.
Returning safely
Return to the training position without crossing other surfers’ riding lines.
G1 assessment
A coach assesses independent performance in suitable assessment conditions.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height < 0.3 m

60 points · Minimum pass

  • Stand steadily and ride straight for more than 3 seconds
  • The movement does not have to be fully fluid
  • No grabbing the leash, colliding with others or unsafe dismounting

60–80 points · Achieved, but not yet consistent

  • The pop-up has a slight pause or deviation
  • Able to hold the standing position
  • Straight ride lasting more than 3 seconds
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

80–100 points · Consistent performance

  • A connected pop-up, correct stance, stable foot placement and balance
  • Straight ride lasting more than 5 seconds
  • Success rate above 60% across multiple attempts, with a safe dismount

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-28

View learner course

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G2

Catch waves with your own paddling

G2

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Judge the timing, paddle effectively into suitable whitewater and complete the ride.

Before you start: Observe independent G1 pop-ups and safe exits; check paddling, prone balance and fatigue.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Start with position and balance

    Demonstrate prone position, board trim and effective paddling; ask the learner to describe the approaching wave.

  2. 02

    Connect an independent start

    Practise turning prone, observing, starting to paddle and a continuous pop-up. A pushed ride is not independent wave catching.

  3. 03

    Build repeatability

    Review wave choice and timing. Once whitewater skills are stable, assess readiness for small unbroken waves.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Read the wave, get the board moving, then pop up once the ride is established.

Fast strokes without catching waves: review position, timing, board trim and stroke effectiveness, not just cadence.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Distinguish independent whitewater rides from unbroken-wave take-offs; record assistance, judgment and safe riding.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height < 0.3 m

  • Independently paddle to catch suitable whitewater
  • Be carried by the whitewater and complete the pop-up and ride
  • Stand steadily and ride straight for more than 3 seconds
  • No grabbing the leash, colliding with others or unsafe dismounting

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units
G2-1Prone paddlingLesson content
Prone paddling
Keep your balance and the nose steady while developing a repeatable paddling movement.
Paddling efficiency
Build useful speed through paddling rhythm and hand entry.
Catching whitewater
Paddle to catch suitable whitewater independently instead of waiting for a push.
When to start paddling
Start before the whitewater reaches you and work on the timing of the catch.
Connecting the catch and pop-up
Connect the final paddle strokes, push-up and foot placement without breaking the sequence.
G2-2Whitewater and unbroken wavesLesson content
Whitewater and unbroken waves
Distinguish broken whitewater from unbroken waves and understand their different training demands.
Take-off timing on small unbroken waves
Explore timing as a transition towards G3; it does not replace the minimum G2 requirement to catch whitewater independently.
G2 assessment
Distinguish the minimum whitewater standard from the higher band introducing unbroken-wave take-offs.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height < 0.3 m

60 points · Minimum pass | Independent whitewater take-off

  • Independently paddle to catch suitable whitewater
  • Be carried by the whitewater and complete the pop-up and ride
  • Stand steadily and ride straight for more than 3 seconds
  • No grabbing the leash, colliding with others or unsafe dismounting

60–80 points · Transition 1 | Independent whitewater take-off; judgement or consistency still developing

  • Independently paddle to catch suitable whitewater and complete the pop-up
  • Turn into a prone position and start paddling
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

80–100 points · Transition 2 | Introduction to unbroken-wave take-offs

  • Consistently, safely and independently paddle into unbroken waves
  • Actively observe and choose suitable unbroken waves
  • Independently connect the turn, start, paddling, pop-up and safe ride
  • A high success rate across multiple attempts

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-28

View learner course

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G3

Unbroken-wave take-off and line entry

G3

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Read unbroken waves, select a take-off point, catch the wave and begin entering an open line.

Before you start: Review independent catching, seated turns, paddling fitness and surf etiquette; match the plan to ability and conditions.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Read shape and position

    Identify peak, shoulder, breaking direction and other surfers’ lines; discuss suitable take-off positions.

  2. 02

    Connect observation and paddling

    Practise seated turns, prone starts, looking back and effective paddling, with permission to adjust or abandon a wave.

  3. 03

    Take off into an open line

    Connect the pop-up to an established ride, directing gaze and body toward an open shoulder as the wave allows.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Read the wave, establish the ride, then connect to the open shoulder.

Standing as soon as the tail rises: check whether the wave was actually caught. Straight rides only: review wave choice, observation and line-entry timing.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Keep a continuous sequence from wave selection and paddling through take-off and ride; record take-off stability and line entry separately.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height > 0.3 m

  • Choose an unbroken wave suited to your ability
  • Move from sitting to lying prone on the board
  • Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling
  • Complete a stable unbroken-wave take-off and ride for more than 5 seconds
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units
G3-1Wave structureLesson content
Wave structure
Identify the peak, shoulder and breaking direction to understand the available take-off area.
Surf etiquette
Understand priority, leave safe space and respect others sharing the surf.
Locating the peak
Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
Seated turns
Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
Positioning in the line-up
Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
G3-2Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken wavesLesson content
Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
Developing your paddling
Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
Directing your gaze
Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
Initial wave-face entry
Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
Aborting a take-off
Recognise an unsuitable wave or priority situation and safely abandon the attempt.
G3-3Locating the peakLesson content
Locating the peak
Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
Seated turns
Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
Positioning in the line-up
Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
Developing your paddling
Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
Directing your gaze
Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
Initial wave-face entry
Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
G3-practice1Locating the peakLesson content
Locating the peak
Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
Seated turns
Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
Positioning in the line-up
Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
Developing your paddling
Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
G3-practice2Locating the peakLesson content
Locating the peak
Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
Seated turns
Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
Positioning in the line-up
Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
Developing your paddling
Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
Directing your gaze
Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
Initial wave-face entry
Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
Aborting a take-off
Recognise an unsuitable wave or priority situation and safely abandon the attempt.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height > 0.3 m

60 points · Minimum pass | Consistent unbroken-wave take-off

  • Choose an unbroken wave suited to your ability
  • Move from sitting to lying prone on the board
  • Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling
  • Complete a stable unbroken-wave take-off and ride for more than 5 seconds
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

60–80 points · Active change of direction

  • Independently take off on an unbroken wave and actively change direction, showing awareness of line entry
  • Choose a wave and complete a seated turn
  • Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling
  • Ride for more than 7 seconds with no evident safety risk throughout

80–100 points · Initial wave-face entry

  • Independently choose suitable unbroken waves and a take-off position
  • Connect a seated turn, effective paddling and a stable unbroken-wave take-off
  • Actively enter the open line after take-off, beginning to ride the face
  • Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling for it
  • Ride for more than 7 seconds with no evident safety risk throughout

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-28

View learner course

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G4

Frontside and backside angled riding

G4

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Independently enter and ride an open face on both frontside and backside.

Before you start: Review G3 catching and line entry, identify frontside/backside differences and select an open face.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Read the opening direction

    Ask which way the wave opens and which line to take; demonstrate directional preparation around the take-off.

  2. 02

    Practise both sides

    Review gaze, shoulders and board line on each side, progressively setting direction as the wave develops.

  3. 03

    Sustain the angled ride

    Adjust to the face and shoulder rather than heading straight into the flat; record evidence for both sides.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Look into the open line; let gaze, shoulders and board travel together.

One side works but the other does not: diagnose and practise separately. Forced late turns: review directional preparation around the pop-up.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Keep one valid angled-ride video for each side and record direction, independence, duration and safety.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height > 0.5 m

  • Independently complete a standard angled ride on both frontside and backside
  • Submit one valid angled-ride video for each side
  • The angle between the board’s travel direction and the open direction of the wave face is less than 45 degrees
  • Each side lasts more than 3 seconds with no evident safety risk

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units
G4-1Understanding the wave faceLesson content
Understanding the wave face
Recognise the open face and the area available for continuing the ride.
Reading wave direction
Read the open and breaking directions to choose an available line.
Looking down the line before take-off
Prepare your gaze and body before taking off instead of waiting until you are standing to find a direction.
Angled take-off
Connect the take-off direction with the open face.
From straight rides to the wave face
Develop a line along the open face rather than continuing straight towards shore.
G4-2Frontside angled ridingLesson content
Frontside angled riding
Build a controlled line with the front of your body facing the wave.
Looking along the wave face
Look towards the part of the face where you intend to continue riding.
Opening the shoulders
Align your shoulders with the intended line to help guide the board.
Angling the board along the face
Maintain an angled line along the face instead of reverting to a straight ride.
Safe spacing on frontside rides
Watch other surfers and maintain safe spacing on a frontside line.
G4-3Backside angled ridingLesson content
Backside angled riding
Build a controlled line with your back towards the wave.
Looking back at the wave face
Look back along the face during a backside ride instead of only looking towards shore.
Leading with the front shoulder
Use the direction of the front shoulder to connect your gaze, body and board line.
Backside angled take-off
Connect a backside take-off with entry onto the open face.
Backside line control
Maintain the backside line and notice when the board drifts away from the open face.
G4-4Higher and lower positions on the faceLesson content
Higher and lower positions on the face
Explore how different positions on the face affect speed and line.
Holding a mid-face line
Practise holding a usable line through the middle of the face in suitable waves.
Maintaining speed
Reduce unnecessary loss of speed and keep the ride connected between movements.
Staying ahead of the whitewater
Use position and speed awareness to avoid being caught by the breaking whitewater.
Controlled exit from a wave
Choose a controlled, safe exit when the line ends instead of finishing out of control.
G4-5Combining frontside and backside ridingLesson content
Combining frontside and backside riding
Develop each side separately, then choose the appropriate line for the wave direction.
Choosing wave direction independently
Read the open direction independently and choose a line suited to your ability.
Surf priority rules
Apply priority decisions when choosing a wave and following a line.
G4 assessment
Assess independent frontside and backside performance separately; one side does not replace both.
Video review
Use available footage to review gaze, shoulders, board direction and line; confirm whether recording is included.
G4-practice2Confirmed learning-unit linksLearning units

These are the learning units confirmed for this lesson. This list does not establish the total number of lessons in the stage.

Turning into an angled ride after take-off
After standing, guide the board towards the open face and connect into an angled line.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height > 0.5 m

60 points · Minimum pass | Both frontside and backside

  • Independently complete a standard angled ride on both frontside and backside
  • Submit one valid angled-ride video for each side
  • The angle between the board’s travel direction and the open direction of the wave face is less than 45 degrees
  • Each side lasts more than 3 seconds with no evident safety risk

60–80 points · Both sides achieved; line control still developing

  • Demonstrate angled riding on both frontside and backside
  • Independently ride at an angle for more than 3 seconds on each side
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

80–100 points · Consistent performance

  • Read whether the wave opens left or right
  • Actively enter the wave face or trim line after take-off
  • Ride consistently at an angle for more than 5 seconds on both frontside and backside
  • Gaze, shoulders and body clearly point along the intended line

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-28

View learner course

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G5

Generate speed and control your line

G5

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Train speed control for the board type: Pumping on a shortboard, Cross Step on a longboard.

Before you start: Review angled riding, line control and entry speed; select an open face suitable for the board.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Choose line before timing

    Observe steep and soft sections and the breaking area; place the action where the ride can continue.

  2. 02

    Teach the board-specific action

    Shortboard: connect Pumping rhythm and line. Longboard: establish controlled cross-steps and return before connecting on a suitable wave.

  3. 03

    Observe the actual effect

    Review speed, line and recovery together. Build from one completed action to both sides and repeated actions.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Let the wave guide the action; finish with control and keep riding.

Movement without acceleration: review position and timing. Longboard shuffling: return to actual crossed steps and balance control.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Record board type, side, effective action and recovery; distinguish minimum passing from stable performance on both sides.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height ≥ 0.5 m, with an open face

  • Complete the movement on at least one side, frontside or backside; both are not required
  • Shortboard: at least 1 effective pump with a visible change in speed
  • Longboard: at least 1 correct cross-step; the feet must actually cross, not shuffle together
  • Regain a stable stance after the movement and continue riding
  • Complete the attempt independently with no evident safety risk

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units
G5-1Confirmed learning-unit linksLearning units

These are the learning units confirmed for this lesson. This list does not establish the total number of lessons in the stage.

Quick board recovery
Practise regaining board control promptly with coach guidance and prepare for the next movement.
Longboard cross-stepping
Cross your feet as you move along the board, then regain balance and continue riding.
How speed is generated on the face
Understand how the wave’s energy, your position and movement timing affect usable speed.
Bottom turn
Connect the turn at the bottom of the wave with the next section of your line.
Shortboard frontside and backside pumping
Practise effective pumping on each side and observe both the speed change and control afterwards.
Longboard trimming
Manage longboard speed through positioning on the board and adjustments to the line.
Trimming and carving on the wave face
Distinguish speed management along a line from carving turns, selecting practice for your board and ability.

Only the learning-unit mapping for G5-1 is confirmed here. This does not mean G5 has only one lesson. The topic overview is not a numbered lesson schedule.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height ≥ 0.5 m, with an open face

60 points · Minimum pass | At least one side

  • Complete the movement on at least one side, frontside or backside; both are not required
  • Shortboard: at least 1 effective pump with a visible change in speed
  • Longboard: at least 1 correct cross-step; the feet must actually cross, not shuffle together
  • Regain a stable stance after the movement and continue riding
  • Complete the attempt independently with no evident safety risk

60–80 points · Completed on both sides; repetition within one wave is not required

  • Complete the speed-generating movement on both frontside and backside
  • Shortboard: effective pumping, although timing and effect are still developing
  • Longboard: complete cross-stepping, although footwork, balance or stepping back is not yet consistent
  • Maintain control after the movement and continue riding

80–100 points · Consistent on both sides, repeated within one wave

  • Consistently generate speed on both frontside and backside
  • Read changes in the face and choose a suitable moment to generate speed
  • Shortboard: at least 2 effective pumps on the same wave, with a clear change in speed
  • Longboard: at least 2 cross-steps on the same wave, using forward and backward positioning to adjust speed
  • Connected movements, followed by continued riding along the face

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-30

View learner course

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

COACH FIELD GUIDE / G6

Advanced scoring manoeuvres

G6

01 / THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD

Choose a target manoeuvre for the board and complete entry, critical phase, recovery and continued riding.

Before you start: Begin with ability and video assessment, checking speed, line and foundations; no universal timetable or fixed purchase package is assumed.

02 / HOW TO TEACH IT

  1. 01

    Choose a trainable target

    Select an action for the board, conditions and current ability; examples include shortboard turns or longboard nose-riding and turn connections.

  2. 02

    Break down action and placement

    Review entry, critical phase, completion and recovery on video, identifying the critical section and a safe exit.

  3. 03

    Complete it before refining it

    Build a complete, controlled action, then assess difficulty, speed, power and flow; the full catalogue is not a checklist to complete.

This planning outline must be adapted to the learner, on-site conditions and school safety arrangements.

03 / A CUE AND A CORRECTION

Place the manoeuvre in the right section, finish it and recover with control.

Falling immediately after the move: review completion and recovery. Bottom Turn or Pumping alone are foundations, not a G6 passing manoeuvre.

04 / WHAT TO OBSERVE

Use one continuous valid-wave video showing the full manoeuvre; ordinary cross-stepping alone remains G5.

Minimum passing criteria

Wave height ≥ 1.0 m, with a clear critical section suitable for the target manoeuvre and board type

  • Independently complete at least one competition-scoring manoeuvre suited to the board in a complete valid wave
  • Perform it on a valid face or critical section, not a token movement on a soft shoulder or spent section
  • The video must clearly show entry, critical phase, completion and recovery
  • Regain a stable stance and continue riding; incomplete moves or immediate falls do not count
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

Lesson completion, recorded skills, assessment passing, level records and certificate issuance are separate facts.

Explore lesson and skill units

G6 has no confirmed fixed timetable. A coach plans individual training after reviewing the learner’s video and target manoeuvre.

Lesson codes identify curriculum content, not fixed days or booked session order. Supplemental learning remains separate from lesson skills.

View full assessment criteria and score bands

Wave height ≥ 1.0 m, with a clear critical section suitable for the target manoeuvre and board type

60 points · Minimum pass | One complete scoring manoeuvre

  • Independently complete at least one competition-scoring manoeuvre suited to the board in a complete valid wave
  • Perform it on a valid face or critical section, not a token movement on a soft shoulder or spent section
  • The video must clearly show entry, critical phase, completion and recovery
  • Regain a stable stance and continue riding; incomplete moves or immediate falls do not count
  • No evident safety risk throughout the attempt

60–80 points · Complete a clear scoring manoeuvre

  • Complete at least one clear competition-scoring manoeuvre in the critical section
  • Show clear entry, critical phase, completion and recovery, retaining control afterwards
  • Prepare the speed and line required for the manoeuvre
  • Timing, amplitude, power, flow or combination links are still developing
  • No evident safety risk throughout

80–100 points · High-quality scoring performance

  • Complete a difficult scoring manoeuvre in the critical section, or an effective combination of two or more major manoeuvres
  • Match the manoeuvre to the wave and actively complete it in the key section
  • Show clear speed, power and flow, with strong amplitude and completion quality
  • Connect entry, critical phase, completion and recovery, then continue riding the face
  • Repeat the same type of manoeuvre across multiple valid waves
  • Bottom Turn and Pumping are foundations and cannot alone qualify as a G6 passing manoeuvre
  • Ordinary Cross Step belongs to G5; G6 longboard cross-steps must connect to a Nose Ride, turn or another scoring manoeuvre
  • Choose one target for the usual board type; the full catalogue is not required
  • Scores consider conditions, difficulty, completion, combination and variety, speed, power and flow
  • The catalogue also permits other fully completed innovative, advanced or traditional manoeuvres
G6 manoeuvre catalogue

Shortboard scoring manoeuvres

Carve · Top Turn / Off-the-Top · Snap · Re-entry / Off-the-Lip · Cutback · Roundhouse Cutback · Layback · Tail Release / Fins Free · Reverse / 360 · Floater · Barrel / Tube Ride · Straight Air · Grab Air · Air Reverse · Full Rotation / Air 360 · Alley-Oop · Combination · Other fully completed innovative, advanced or traditional manoeuvres

Longboard scoring manoeuvres

Cross Step · Nose Ride · Cheater Five · Hang Five · Hang Ten · Drop-knee Turn · Drop-knee Cutback · Pivot Turn · Rail Turn / Carve · Cutback · Roundhouse Cutback · Top Turn · Re-entry / Off-the-Lip · Floater · Stall into Nose Ride · Combination · Other fully completed innovative, advanced or traditional manoeuvres

Wave height indicates assessment conditions; on-site coaches still judge safety. Version: 2026-08-30

Discuss a G6 assessment

Identify the gap, then plan targeted practice and reassessment.

02 / EVERY LESSON

A good lesson starts with judgment.

Lesson time supports learning; capability is the goal. On-site safety judgment comes before completing a plan.

  1. 01

    Assess readiness

    Review readiness, ability evidence, conditions and equipment; explain boundaries, signals and exits.

  2. 02

    Set a clear target

    Focus on observable capability; explain what to do and how improvement will be seen.

  3. 03

    Demonstrate & practise

    Demonstrate, ask the learner to explain and try, then observe and gradually reduce assistance.

  4. 04

    Feedback & evidence

    Give one key correction at a time; record assistance and continuous performance, with consent for filming.

  5. 05

    Review & next step

    State what improved and what is missing; plan targeted practice rather than equating attendance with mastery.

03 / IASE INSTRUCTOR PATHWAY

From riding waves to guiding others.

This section introduces the IASE application pathway. Learner skill levels, instructor training and instructor qualification are checked separately.

  1. 01

    Check eligibility

    IASE’s website requires IASE Level 4 certification before applying for instructor training. SURFPLUS G4 is not automatically IASE Level 4.

  2. 02

    Confirm training arrangements

    Confirm entry conditions, dates, location, language, fees and required documents with the association or course organiser.

  3. 03

    Complete the requirements

    The website requires instructor training and first-aid training; confirm assessments, accepted courses and validity with the association.

  4. 04

    Use the official application

    Use the instructor application linked from the association website, submit the required materials and await review. Enrolment or reading this guide is not certification.

IASE requirements & applicationEmail the association

Based on the IASE instructor page, checked 26 October 2026. This SURFPLUS planning guide is not an association certification manual. Qualification review, teaching authorisation and local requirements must be verified separately.

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