The Surfing Coaching: Sources of Knowledge Acquisition

Abstract

A career as a surfing coach is a relatively recent profession, and has not yet been the subject of extensive research. The aim of the present study was to investigate the specific sources of knowledge acquisition of surfing coaches. Individual semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted with 11 expert surfing coaches. Results revealed that their knowledge acquisition was similar in many ways. Their formal higher education provided them with training in sport sciences and physical education pedagogy, as well as their athletes’ surfing experiences. Their knowledge base was further developed by acquiring additional information through surfing coaching courses, books, and the use of the Internet.