APOLA Ocean Safety Surf Coach Award (OSSCA)
The OSSCA provides surf coaches completing the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme Level 1 Surf Riding Coach/Instructor qualification to satisfy the specific rescue and beach management needs of surf coaches delivering programs to groups and individuals in open water surf locations, and as well provide for accredited coaches to meet mandatory annual update requirements.
The OSSCA has a currency of 12 months and annual recertification includes completing a timed pool swim, ocean mission, simulated in-water rescues and a written paper.
OSSCA Requirements
Current Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) certificate
Competency in surf craft riding (either surfboard, bodyboard, wave ski or stand-up paddle craft)
Completion of the OSSCA ocean surf coach instruction program or competencies assessment day.
OSSCA Competencies Assessment
APOLA Assessor and Workplace Trainers reserve the right to prevent prospective candidates commencing the practical components in the case that prospective candidates present themselves as incapable of meeting the fitness and/or surf and rescue skill demands required.
The APOLA OSSCA instruction program/competencies assessment day must be conducted by an approved APOLA Assessor & Workplace Trainer with extensive professional ocean lifeguard and/or surf coach experience and Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training qualifications.
The OSSCA surf coach competencies assessment day involves several components, and ideally all practical assessment components should be completed in a single day.
Theory
Participate in an audio-visual presentation and/or discussion and complete a written exam on knowledge, skills, understandings, role and duties of surf coaches including fitness, the beach and ocean environment, risk management, land management regulations, role of Council ocean lifeguards and other water safety personnel, basic and intermediate ocean surf coach instruction competencies, basic medical competencies, ocean rescue techniques and the application of surf coach beach management practices.
Practical
Swim 500m in a pool in a time less than 10 minutes (in a pool with minimum length of 25m).
Complete an Ocean Mission over a set M shape course commencing with 300m swim, followed by 300m beach run, followed by 300m surf craft paddle and concluding with a 300m beach run.
Performance indicators include demonstrated skills in negotiating and riding the surf, continuous (no stopping) activity and a recorded time for comparison with other candidates
Demonstrate surf craft rescues in small to moderate surf using personal surf craft such as: paddle to rescue an unconscious and/or conscious patient; demonstrate patient approach, side-by-side, rollover, duck-dive and leg-hook patient pick-up techniques; patient return with patient care including DRSABCD assessment.
Course fees
OSSCA – $140.00 inc GST – TrainupNOW is a Victorian Field Officer for APOLA.
Resources and References
APOLA OSSCA DVD & Workbook, APOLA, 1996-2015
Safe Surf, Video Education Australia, 2002
The Surfer’s Code – a beginner’s guide to staying safe in the surf, NSW Department Sport & Recreation, 2006 (Brochure)
Dr Rip’s Essential Beach Book – everything you need to know about surf, sand and rips, UNSW Press, 2010
Web www.apola.com.au Email info@apola.asn.au Mobile 0408 855 267