Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:11 PM AWST
22/07/2026 5:11 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Guide surfing trips
Guide surfing trips
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOSRF408A
SISOSRF408A
State Code
D6506
D6506
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on extended surfing trips. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group on an overnight surfing trip. This unit requires planning for the overnight trip. The performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to set up an overnight site are covered in the unit SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan an overnight surfing trip.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants.
- 1.2. Develop a trip plan, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.3. Select an appropriate location for the overnight trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with surfing and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
- 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the overnight trip.
- 1.7. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the surfing trip.
2. Select equipment for the group.
- 2.1. Select equipment and craft according to design and construction features, contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.3. Pack equipment that is not required on hand in a suitable manner.
- 2.4. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the conditions.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the surfing trip in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the overnight trip.
- 3.3. Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration to group to assist in self-monitoring.
- 3.4. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while surfing.
- 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the overnight trip.
4. Supervise surfing activities during overnight trip.
- 4.1. Demonstrate correct surfing manoeuvres to participants.
- 4.2. Monitor surfing manoeuvres to ensure safety of participants.
- 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
5. Complete post-trip responsibilities.
- 5.1. Notify appropriate authorities of trip completion.
- 5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of surfing trip.
- 5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future overnight surfing trips.
- 5.5. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
previous experience
physical capabilities and fitness level
swimming ability
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information
safety and emergency requirements
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:
permits or permission for access
communication protocols
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Trip objectives may include:
self improvement
meeting people
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
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 levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
perishability
packaging
storage.
Principles of nutrition may include:
dietary guidelines
essential nutrients:
food preparation
safe food handling and hygiene practices.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
surfing equipment
safety and rescue equipment
resources.
Craft may include:
bodyboards
surfboards
soft surfboards
single and double sit on-kayaks
stand up paddle boards.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements
safety procedures
environmental impact minimisation
surfing techniques
objectives
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
surfers ready
correct fitting equipment
appropriate spacing between participants
understanding of contingency and risk management plans
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Surfing manoeuvres may include:
selection of appropriate waves to catch and ride
catching and riding wave
standing, where appropriate to craft
traversing left and right along the face of a spilling wave
turning and linking of basic manoeuvres
displaying balance and confidence.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
surfing technique and manoeuvres
surfing control and balance in various conditions
attitude
surf etiquette
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
surf conditions.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
previous experience
physical capabilities and fitness level
swimming ability
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information
safety and emergency requirements
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:
permits or permission for access
communication protocols
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Trip objectives may include:
self improvement
meeting people
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
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 levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
perishability
packaging
storage.
Principles of nutrition may include:
dietary guidelines
essential nutrients:
food preparation
safe food handling and hygiene practices.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
surfing equipment
safety and rescue equipment
resources.
Craft may include:
bodyboards
surfboards
soft surfboards
single and double sit on-kayaks
stand up paddle boards.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements
safety procedures
environmental impact minimisation
surfing techniques
objectives
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
surfers ready
correct fitting equipment
appropriate spacing between participants
understanding of contingency and risk management plans
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Surfing manoeuvres may include:
selection of appropriate waves to catch and ride
catching and riding wave
standing, where appropriate to craft
traversing left and right along the face of a spilling wave
turning and linking of basic manoeuvres
displaying balance and confidence.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
surfing technique and manoeuvres
surfing control and balance in various conditions
attitude
surf etiquette
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
surf conditions.
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.
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:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that routinely arise during the overnight surfing trip
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure leading surfing activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable surfing location to enable demonstration of overnight surfing activities
a group of participants to take part in the overnight surfing trip
equipment such as suitable craft wetsuit and safety and rescue equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document surfing activities for a variety of participants.
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:
observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation and organisational policies and procedures to safe conduct of all surfing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather and surf conditions and equipment failure
review of overnight surfing trip plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit or units:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that routinely arise during the overnight surfing trip
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure leading surfing activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable surfing location to enable demonstration of overnight surfing activities
a group of participants to take part in the overnight surfing trip
equipment such as suitable craft wetsuit and safety and rescue equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document surfing activities for a variety of participants.
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:
observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation and organisational policies and procedures to safe conduct of all surfing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather and surf conditions and equipment failure
review of overnight surfing trip plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit or units:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
No information
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