Level 1 Windsurfing Instructor

Intermediate to advanced knowledge of windsurfing related subjects is required, such as theory (how a sail works, steering a sailboard), no-go zone, points of sail, sail trim and tuning, wind, weather, tides, currents, safety, hypothermia, heat emergencies, rescue techniques.

COURSE LENGTH AND AGE REQUIREMENTS

This is a four-day, 40 hour courses. Attendance all days and all hours of the course is mandatory. Absence from any portion of the course excludes the instructor candidate from evaluation. All Candidates must have reached their 16th birthday within the calendar year that the course is being held in. Students under 18 years of age who complete the course will be designated as a Winsurfing Instructor Assistant until their 18th Birthday. Please be aware that forging/lying about your age is a violation of the terms of this registration and is grounds for revocation of any or all US Sailing certifications.

COURSES PREREQUISITES

1. Windsurfing experience.

   Intermediate to advanced windsurfing skills, including rigging, de-rigging, general board handling and maneuvering, and leaving and returning to a dock or beach is required. Intermediate to advanced knowledge of windsurfing related subjects such as theory (how a sail works, steering a sailboard), no-go zone, points of sail, sail trim and tuning, wind, weather, tides, currents, safety, hypothermia, heat emergencies, rescue techniques are also required.

2. Current US Sailing Adult Individual Membership.

   Youth memberships are not applicable. Those with a family membership with only one (1) instructor in the family IS eligible.

3. Ability to swim 50 yards both with and without a life jacket.

   The accepted swim strokes are: front crawl, breaststroke, side stroke, elementary backstroke, back crawl and butterfly, as defined by the American Red Cross. Floating and treading water are not considered to be swimming strokes, and sculling or finning as a way of moving through the water while floating or treading is not considered to be a swimming stroke.

4. Completed course registration form accompanied by appropriate course fees (and any late charges).

5. Complete the US Sailing Medical Form.

6.  This will be provided to you by the Instructor Trainer at the start of the course.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF COURSE & CERTIFICATION

1. Attendance at all portions of the course.

   Absence from any portion of the course excludes the instructor candidate from evaluation.

2. Personal and interpersonal practical skills.

   Demonstrate professional conduct, an open-minded, positive and enthusiastic attitude, appropriate appearance (clothing, footwear and tidiness), participation in discussions, collaboration skills/team player, confidence and ease of manner. A positive evaluation by the Instructor Trainer is also included in this component.

3. Passing all practical exams & tests.

   • Windsurfing skills practical test
   • Safety boat operation skills practical test (optional): Execute, with comfort and confidence: system, equipment and starting checks, leaving and docking, high and low speed maneuvering, holding position upwind/upcurrent, backing, pivot turn (360 degree turn within boat’s length), anchoring and/or making fast to a mooring, overboard recovery and landing alongside a moored boat. (Tip: view animations of maneuvers)
   • Swim/Life jacket practical check: Swim 50 yards in instructing clothing both with and without a life jacket, tread water two minutes while performing a minor task (such as tying a knot). The accepted swim strokes are: front crawl, breaststroke, side stroke, elementary backstroke, back crawl and butterfly, as defined by the American Red Cross. Floating and treading water are not considered to be swimming strokes, and sculling or finning as a way of moving through the water while floating or treading is not considered to be a swimming stroke.
   • Teaching and communications practical skills
   • Use of simulator (demonstration & communication skills)

4. Passing all Written Exams

   Two closed-book exams on Teaching and Coaching Fundamentals and the Teach Windsurfing Right! Instructor Manual. All tests are multiple choice. A passing grade of 80% is required on all exams.

5. Current first aid and CPR certification.

   US Sailing accepts first aid (FA) and CPR from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or providers approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. See the current list. Additionally, a state licensed EMT or M.D., whose CPR certification is renewed annually is also accepted. First Aid and CPR certifications are not required in advance of the course, but must be completed (and current) for certification to be valid.

COURSE OUTCOMES

The practical and written tests each stand on their own, and each must be passed in order to pass the course. The determination as to whether a candidate passes or fails rests with the Instructor Trainer. In addition to pass or fail, a third option is a ‘Plan of Improvement.’ Re-testing for Plans of Improvement carries a $75 re-testing fee; re-tests are scheduled with specific representatives of US Sailing and must be performed within a specific time frame.

TRAINING MATERIALS

The Level 1 Windsurfing Instructor course is a material heavy course with approximately 400 pages to read. To receive course materials for pre-course study, US Sailing must receive the completed application and course fee payment at least 2 weeks prior to the course. Please plan to study prior to, and each night of, the course. The Instructor Candidate will receive the following materials prior to the start of the course:

• Start Windsurfing Right! (Student-level book)
• Teach Windsurfing Right! (Instructor manual)
• Teaching Fundamentals (TF) 
• Review questions for Instructor Knowledge and TF written tests
• Other handouts and course information as applicable

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PREPARATION

Instructor candidates are typically expected to bring an appropriate sailboard and equipment in keeping with basic instruction. These include:

1. Regular recreational board (without foot straps) with a rig suitable for basic maneuvers.
2. Suitable clothing, including footwear, appropriate to the weather and water conditions. The condition of the clothing and equipment should be what is expected of a qualified instructor.
3. Other equipment should include a US Coast Guard approved life jacket, tow rope, whistle and knife/marlinspike.

Each instructor candidate is responsible for production of teaching aids/props, graphs, flip charts, etc. as required in the presentation of his/her assigned lectures. Lecture subjects will be assigned upon receipt of course application and fee. Late applicants will have the same responsibilities regarding lecture preparation.

COURSE FEES

Registration is on a first pay basis. US Sailing will not reserve spots without full payment.

• $300 if received more than one (1) week prior to course start date
• $350 if received within one (1) week of course start date

CANCELLATION POLICY

• Course fees are nonrefundable but are transferable to another course/date if the Training office is given enough notice.
• More than four weeks before the course start date: Fee is transferable to another course.
• Within the four week of course start date: ½ half of course fee is transferable to another course
• Less than 24 hours notice of course start date (or no-show): 100% of the course fee is forfeited.

REGISTER

Register securely online or by using our printable registration form.