At US Sailing, we know that not everyone who is asked to supervise and teach sailing on a windsurfer is a four day Level I Windsurfing certified windsurfing instructor. That’s why US Sailing developed and offers the two day Windsurfing Counselor training.

The Windsurfing Counselor course is two-day, 20-hour course. It is designed to prepare windsurfers and sailors to act as Windsurfing Counselors working under a Level 1 Certified Instructor at a windsurfing or sailing center. The recreational windsurfing activities typically are conducted on sheltered and protected waters for sailing centers. The WC course emphasis is on safety, risk management, and hands-on practice of the eleven windsurfing basics to familiarize candidates with proper terminology and windsurfing techniques. Windsurfing Counselor training will also provide a model for how an instructor might structure actual windsurfing activities. The limitations of this course are as follows:

• Windsurfing Counselor course is not a certification course.
• Windsurfing Counselors are expected to work under the supervision of Level I Certified Instructors.
• Windsurfing Counselors are not powerboat qualified.
• Successful Windsurfing Counselor candidates (WC) are not covered by US Sailing certified instructor personal liability insurance afforded fully certified instructors.
• Only a certified Windsurfing Instructor Trainer shall conduct the course

The minimum age for attending this course is 14 years old. Once the Windsurfing Counselor has completed the course and had some actual experience teaching windsurfing, the WC is eligible to earn, and are encouraged to pursue the Level I Windsurfing Instructor Certification. The $200 registration fee includes a package of course materials.

Windsurfing Counselor Course Objectives:
• Familiarize candidates with principles of risk management, including carrying out a safety inspection.
• Prepare candidates to organize and conduct safe and orderly windsurfing activities.
• Prepare candidates to conduct a swim check.
• Familiarize candidates with hazardous weather conditions.
• Familiarize candidates with windsurfing nomenclature and proper windsurfing terminology.
• Prepare candidates to properly rig a windsurfer.
• Prepare to learn and show the eleven windsurfing basics.
• Rehearse candidates in the eleven fundamental windsurfing sailing skills.
• Prepare to conduct a self rescue drill.
• Familiarize candidates with windsurfing land drills.
• Familiarize candidates with basic “rules of the road” for small sailboats and windsurfers.
• Familiarize candidates with the use of hand signals in on-water communication.
• Familiarize candidates with US Sailing Training programs, products and resources.

Prerequisites for entrance
• Swimming skills that enable the instructor candidate to successfully complete the US Sailing Swim/PFD Test and be comfortable and effective in the water
• Related windsurfing or sailing experience and a desire to safely add the eleven basic windsurfing skills, to include basic rigging, de-rigging, general board handling and maneuvering, and leaving and returning to a dock or beach
• Current US Sailing Individual Membership
• Completed application form accompanied by course fee
• Completed Medical Form given to the Instructor Trainer at the course before the course begins
Length and capacity of course
• The course is 2 days, 20 hours, with 6-8 candidates participating.
• Windsurfing Counselor cards may be granted to those who pass the following:
a. Swim/PFD Test – Practical Evaluation
b. Know basic safety for windsurfing
c. Show basic risk assessment and management for windsurfing
d. Windsurfing Skills Test – Practical Evaluation of the eleven basics
e. Familiarization of the on-land drag board simulator demonstration
f. Basic progressions for learning windsurfing such as land simulator and board-only drills
g. Current US Sailing individual membership is required
• Instructor candidates are required to attend the course in its entirety in order to be evaluated for qualification. Absence from any part of the course will exclude the instructor candidate from evaluation.

Minimum age limit
A US Sailing-recognized Windsurfing Counselor must be at least 14 years old.

Course materials
The training materials for the Windsurfing Counselor course include the following:
1. Start Windsurfing Right! (student manual)
2. Other handouts and course information as applicable (same as BWI).
To receive course materials for pre-course study, you must have registered at least two (2) weeks prior to the course. There are approximately 150 pages to read, so plan on studying each night of the course.

Equipment requirements and preparation
Instructor candidates are expected to bring a lifejacket, windsurfing booties, wetsuits, rash guard, change of clothing and sunscreen, all appropriate to the weather and water conditions. Instructor candidates may bring a recreational beginner board and rigs to the course. Each candidate must have a board and rig for the course. There is no sharing of equipment due to time needed on water.

Course fee
The course fee is $200 per instructor candidate plus US Sailing membership. Payment must be received at least 1 week prior to the course or a late fee of $50 will be charged in addition to the course fee. Course registration fees are non-refundable.

Register
Registration is only accepted via our online registration system. Should you need assistance, please contact education@ussailing.org. Register securely online below.