Coaching

At Surf Life Saving GB, coaching is essential to both athlete development and community impact. Our structured coaching pathway equips volunteers and professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver safe, effective, and performance-focused training across surf lifesaving sport and community.

Our Coaching Pathway

Our coaching awards combine practical skills, applied learning and safeguarding standards. Each stage builds on the last, enabling you to grow as a coach within your club, region and the wider movement.

Level 1 – Assistant Coach

The Level 1 Assistant Coach award is your first step into coaching . It is designed for emerging coaches working alongside experienced practitioners in club environments.

As a Level 1 Assistant Coach you will learn to:

  • Support lead coaches in planning and delivering training sessions
  • Understand coaching principles relevant to surf lifeguarding, safety and sport
  • Apply basic performance and technical feedback to athletes


This qualification sits at the foundation of the coaching pathway and is a prerequisite for progression into higher awards.

Start Training

Level 2 – Lead Coach

The Level 2 Lead Coach award prepares you to lead coaching sessions and contribute to broader coaching programmes within clubs, regions or performance settings.

As a Level 2 Lead Coach you will learn to:

  • Design structured coaching plans aligned to athlete development goals
  • Deliver coaching across multiple sessions and environments
  • Apply safety, safeguarding and reflective practice at a high standard


This qualification positions coaches to take a central role in athlete progression and performance preparation.

Start Training

What Coaching Means in Practice

Coaches play a central role in:

Community icon

Club training programmes – developing skills from first-timers to competitive athletes

Surf icon

Sport environment coaching – preparing athletes for regional and national competition

Safegaurding icon

Safeguarding and safety leadership – creating environments where learning is safe, inclusive and effective

Coaching within SLSGB emphasises:

  • Participation and engagement
  • Technical excellence
  • Safety and risk management
  • Continuous professional development

Become a Trainer Assessor

The Trainer Assessor qualification enables coaches to step into training and assessment roles, delivering accredited courses within the SLSGB framework.

As a Trainer Assessor you will learn to:

  • Teach and assess candidates on award competencies
  • Apply assessment principles and standards with consistency and rigour
  • Support coaching candidates through national qualification pathways


This award is critical to building coaching capacity within clubs and across SLSGB’s education network.

Start Training

Requirements and Good Practice

Coaches are encouraged to combine practical experience, reflective practice and formal training to build confidence and capability across all environments.

Becoming a recognised coach with SLSGB requires:

Surf Life Saving GB membership

Completion of the relevant award(s) in sequence

Adherence to safeguarding standards and DBS requirements

Engagement in ongoing practice and review

Get Started

Whether you’re new to coaching or are developing your skills further:

  • Talk to your local Surf Life Saving Club
  • Explore course dates and availability
  • Build your coaching pathway with structured qualifications
Find a Club
Contact Us