ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Plan for the surfing activity.

1.1. Ensure sufficient food and water is available to maintain physiological well being during activity.

1.2. Select an appropriate activity site or location in controlled conditions according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information.

1.4. Identify potential hazards within the surf environment and minimise risks as advised by the supervisor.

2. Select surfing equipment.

2.1. Select craft and equipment according to design and construction features and check working condition.

2.2. Fit and adjust equipment correctly to ensure comfort, safety and suitability to the participant and craft.

2.3. Transport the craft in a manner that minimises damage.

2.4. Identify the need for board waxing and demonstrate waxing technique, where required.

3. Enter and exit the water.

3.1. Select a safe location for entering the water and carry the craft out, avoiding hazards, to a depth where it can be safely sat and or laid upon.

3.2. Propel the craft through broken and unbroken waves and flat water whilst walking with a leg rope attached, where applicable.

3.3. Apply skills to ensure measures are taken so that the craft is always facing into oncoming waves.

4. Manoeuvre the craft.

4.1. Demonstrate the ability to sit and or lay upon the craft both within depth and outside depth in still water.

4.2. Propel and control the craft, using efficient paddling techniques, in still water and then through broken and unbroken waves.

4.3. Manoeuvre and turn the craft both within and outside the surf zones using a variety of methods.

4.4. Demonstrate correct dismount drill in both the prone and standing positions.

4.5. Apply wipe-out procedures, ensuring personal safety and safety of other surfers.

5. Catch and ride a wave and paddle in flat

5.1. Observe surfing etiquette when catching and riding waves.

5.2. Catch broken waves demonstrating control and basic surfing manoeuvres without wiping out.

5.3. Ride broken waves prone and, where appropriate to the craft, while kneeling, sitting and standing.

5.4. Paddle in prone, kneeling, and standing position in flat water.

6. Evaluate surfing activity.

6.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

6.2. Identify improvements for future surfing experiences.

Required skills

communication skills to:

follow instructions and directions from the supervisor

demonstrate surfing etiquette

problem-solving skills to:

determine suitability of waves

manoeuvre craft in varying conditions

planning and organising skills to select an appropriate activity site or location and relevant surfing equipment

swimming skills to swim 200 metres and tread water for 5 minutes in moderate surf conditions

paddling and basic surfing skills to control and manoeuvre a surf craft in moderate conditions

surf survival and self-rescue techniques to use in the case of a wipe out or troubled situation

emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in surf emergencies.

Required knowledge

relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable the safe conduct of all activities

types of craft and equipment, characteristics and technology used for surfing, and factors affecting appropriate selection

food and water requirements to maintain health and energy during activities

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

understanding and reading of surf environments, including types and features of waves and how to select waves to surf

the affect of wind, tide, swell and ocean floors on surf conditions and appropriate responses

surfing etiquette to surf safely alongside other surfers and swimmers showing a common understanding

beach zones and signs to avoid hazards and risks

emergency and rescue procedures appropriate for the craft and location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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:

applies relevant process to plan and select appropriate craft and equipment suitable for the activity

applies wipe out procedures, ensuring personal safety and safety of other surfers and swimmers

evaluates and reflects on own surfing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple surfing activities that are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information, such as weather sources, to accurately plan and select appropriate equipment for the surfing activity

a surf beach with controlled conditions suitable to participants

a qualified leader or supervisor

equipment such as a suitable craft.

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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of surf environments, including types and features of waves, and possible hazards

observation of safe participation and demonstration of surfing techniques, manoeuvres and etiquette

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:

SISOSRF201A Demonstrate surf survival and self rescue skills.

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.

Food and water may include:

range of foods

hydration.

Controlled conditions may include:

sandy beaches

beaches with even gradient

areas free from rocks

areas free from rips

minimal lateral current

white water unless surf less than ½ metre

wind less than 20 knots

water depth of chest deep or less

spilling waves

absence of shore dump

small channel

flat water - creeks, rivers and lakes.

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

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 level

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment and course failure.

Craft may include:

bodyboards

surfboards

soft surfboards

single and double sit on kayaks

no craft (body surfing)

stand up paddle boards.

Equipment may include:

fins

wetsuit

rash shirt

craft

rescue and safety equipment

leg ropes

paddles for sit on kayaks

helmets.

Transport may include:

vehicle

carrying craft on head or shoulder

under one arm either alone or in pairs.

Safe location may include:

controlled conditions

marked beach zones.

Efficient paddling techniques may include:

freestyle action

butterfly action

forward and reverse strokes

forward and reverse sweeps

low support and rudder strokes (sit on kayaks only)

hands lightly cupped

nose of board just clear of water

arms slightly bent at elbow

pivot turns and arc turns

back arch kept to minimum

deep sculling action under the water.

Manoeuvre may include:

traversing along a wave

turning

correct use of body weight

correct rotation techniques.

Wipe-out procedures may include:

covering head with arms

wrestling or holding board tight when in prone position

pushing board clear with feet when in the water and when standing

waiting for turbulence to subside

floating to the surface in a horizontal position.

Surfing etiquette may include:

looking inside, to see if anyone is on wave

avoid dropping in

person closest to breaking part of wave has right of way

wave rider to avoid swimmers and other surfers.

Basic surfing manoeuvres may include:

catching and riding wave

standing

traversing

turning.

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.