Surf Wise Level 5 Intermediate Surfer

Surf Wise Level 5 identifies the point where you can surf consistently on a fibreglass board and control your direction. Learn to surf with confidence.

It shows you’re no longer surviving the wave — you’re starting to shape your ride.

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Aim

Demonstrate ability to control the surfboard and link top and bottom turns (forehand and backhand)

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Locations and Conditions

• Beach break
• Peeling (spilling) waves, 3 ft (1 metre)
• Free from rocks/reef
• No dumping shore break
• Rips may present

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Equipment

• Beginner soft surfboard, with soft fins and leash
• Fibreglass surfboard and leash
• Wax

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Knowledge & Skills

Pre-requisite:
Surf Wise Level 4 Intermediate Surfer

Surf Safety

• Able to swim 200 metres
• And able to swim from surf break back to shore (distance depends on where you are surfing)

Surfing Environment

• Predict surfing conditions based on weather, swell, tides, wind direction/speed
• Identify how to read waves by understanding different water conditions, wave types, and their suitability for surfing, left and right waves, wave frequency
• Identify 5 different types of surf breaks (breach, point, reef, river mouth, bombora)
• Select a surfing location for the intermediate surfer
• Read tide charts

Equipment

• Identify how parts of your board affect performance
• Identify the different types of fins and fin systems
• Identify surfboard damage
• Choose a surfboard for the intermediate surfer based on personal style and the surfing conditions
• Identify surfing safety and assistance clothing

Surfing Skills

• Choose a suitable place for entering and exiting the water
• Identify the different types of rips and how to use them to advantage
• Negotiate broken and unbroken waves using the duck dive
• Identify correct paddling out protocol
• Choose the correct waves to ride
• Identify the correct take off position
• Ride a wave, understanding how body weight and speed affect surfing
• Identify how to turn your board
• Identify methods to get off the wave
• Wipe-out safely at the intermediate level
• Link surfing manoeuvres, demonstrating control

Perform Surfing Manoeuvres (forehand and backhand)

• Trimming
• Bottom turn
• Top turn

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