Overview
The main role a Surf Lifeguard Instructor is to effectively prepare candidates for assessment. Instructors play a crucial role in setting candidates up for success
Volunteer instructors are dedicated to teaching and sharing expertise covering both theoretical and practical components of the Surf Lifeguard Award (SLA). Our commitment lies in developing proficient instructors who deliver high quality SLA instruction.
The Surf Lifeguard Instructor Award certifies that holders possess the necessary skills and knowledge to instruct all SLA components. The SLA Instructor Training course emphasizes a training cycle that fosters best instructional practices, enhancing overall learning outcomes.
Developing competency among SLA Instructors is crucial to our organizational goals, ensuring our training programs are effective, inclusive, and sustainable.
View our SLA Instructor Training Pathway here.
Training and Course Information
Prerequisites:
- Current member of a SLS club
- 16 years of age
- Surf Lifeguard Award or Patrol Support (refreshed)
- Surf First Aid (refreshed)
Duration: 6 hours + online pre-learning
Delivered by: SLA Instructor Training Course is delivered by qualified SLSNZ facilitators.
Who should complete it: Any SLSNZ member who is passionate and committed about becoming a Surf Lifeguard Award instructor at their club.
Candidate requirements:
- Complete online learning - Instructor Fundamental Module.
- Attend the Surf Lifeguard Award Instructor training course.
- Complete all post course requirements.
Attendance and participation on the course is recommended before candidates can start formally instructing in their clubs surf lifeguard training program.
Post course requirements:
- Carry out all practical tasks in the instructor workbook which include:
- Assist already qualified instructor with program/lesson planning.
- Complete 2 lesson observations of SLA lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
- Instruct a full Surf Lifeguard Award training programme. During this programme, 3 lessons must use the SLSNZ lesson plans and include a CPR lesson, pool lesson, and one lesson selected by the instructor’s choice. These 3 lessons must be observed and evaluated by a qualified and refreshed instructor using the observation checklist.
- Present 2 SLA candidates and their workbooks at an examination and successfully put candidates through their award. Complete notes on progress/changes needed to cater for individuals during the training program. Record any areas candidates need extra support.
- Present completed and signed off instructor workbook at SLA examination.
Topics covered
- Effective instructional techniques
- Collaborative teaching models
- Cultural and learner diversity
- Unpacking key concepts in the online module
- Planning
- Application of different instructional strategies to teach specific content using the SLSNZ SLA instructors toolbox
- Post course training and mentoring
Outcomes
At the completion of the qualification candidates will be able to:
- Understand the qualities of an effective instructor
- Understand different collaborative teaching models to utilise instructor strengths for best outcomes for the learners
- Develop an understanding about learner diversity
- Summarize the key learning outcomes from the online Instructor Fundamentals Module
- Use different strategies to effectively plan for instruction
- Understand and apply different instructional strategies to teach specific content
- Understand the practical post course requirements needed to gain the SLA Instructor Award qualification
Award currency: 12 months
Online Resources
The Instructor resources have all the information needed for Instructors to take a group of Surf Lifeguard Award candidates through their award training.
Visit the SLA Instructor Tool box for all the resources you will need to assist with your teaching
If you are interested in becoming an accredited facilitator in this course please click here.