COURSES

2026 DATES

• March 11-12

• April 22-23

• May 13-14

• May 15 *refresher only (for ISA/ISL certification holders)

• June 11 *refresher only (for ISA/ISL certification holders)

• June 17-18

ISA/ILS WATER SAFETY

INSTRUCTOR: SHANDY KARIATSUMARI

LOCATION: TOFINO, BC

About this course:

Who Should Attend:
Surf coaches and instructors who require a valid water safety certification for their ISA/ILS Coaching and Instructing Certification and/or those with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention for the Surf and SUP Environment. All participants will receive an ISA/ILS Water Safety Accreditation that is valid for two years.

Outline:
The course is typically run over two days. It contains theory, practical components, and group activities. Assessment is competency based and successful completion is based upon the following:

• Full attendance of the training course and all practical assessments

• Basic Surf Fitness Test

• Competency in each of the Practical Assessments

• Completion of course participant workbook

• Basic Surf Fitness Test: Run-swim-run to demonstrate surf skill competency, based on small to moderate surf conditions and to be completed within a 5-minute timeframe: Minimum of 100m run, negotiation of the inner surf zone with a swim of at least 100m through the surf and impact zone, 100m run. Course presenters may extend the Basic Surf Fitness Test depending on conditions and adjust the time-frame accordingly.

• Practical Assessments: Unconscious board rescue, basic first aid techniques in various scenarios, and provision of basic emergency care, including CPR.

***This course is a prerequisite for teaching surfing and SUP lessons in Canada and Internationally

Prerequisites: None

Currency: 2 years

How to Register:
To enrol in an ISA/ILS Course please contact Shandy Kariatsumari directly at shandy.k@csasurfcanada.org

EMERGENCY FIRST AID (BASIC)

INSTRUCTOR - SHANDY KARIATSUMARI

LOCATION - TOFINO, BC

2026 DATES - Emergency First Aid

• Feb 9

• March 9

• April 20

• May 11

• June 9

About these courses:

Standard First Aid‍ ‍***This course is a prerequisite for teaching surfing or SUP lessons in Canada. This course includes comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid, CPR and AED use. Whether you need training for employment or simply want to be prepared to respond to life-threatening emergencies, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to act with confidence.  is for individuals requiring comprehensive information on First Aid and CPR for their workplace, school, or personal interest. This type of first aid training is helpful to know in case of medical emergencies that involve adults, children, and infants.

***This course is a prerequisite for teaching surf or SUP lessons in Canada.

Prerequisites: None

Currency: 3 years

How to register: please contact Shandy Kariatsumari directly at shandy.k@csasurfcanada.org

STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR C/AED (INTERMEDIATE)

INSTRUCTOR - SHANDY KARIATSUMARI

LOCATION - TOFINO, BC

2026 DATES

• Feb. 9 - 10 

• Mar. 9 - 10 

• Apr. 20 - 21 

• May 11 - 12 

• June 9 - 10 

About this course:

Standard First Aid‍ ‍***This course is a prerequisite for Lifeguarding in Canada. SFA is equivalent to WorkSafeBC/CSA Z1210-17 Intermediate and can be used by First aid attendants in the workplace. Standard First Aid with CPR-C & AED is a prerequisite to the Lifesaving Society’s National Lifeguard Awards.

***This course is a prerequisite for lifeguarding in Canada.

Prerequisites: None

Currency: 3 years

How to register:please contact Shandy Kariatsumari directly at shandy.k@csasurfcanada.org

BRONZE MEDALLION CHALLENGE

INSTRUCTOR - SHANDY KARIATSUMARI

LOCATION - TOFINO, BC

2026 Dates:

• April 15 - 16 

• Aug. 4 - 6

About this Course:

This fast-tracked, 4-hour evaluation-based course provides an opportunity to demonstrate competency in the required Bronze Medallion skills without completing the full-length program. Participants will be assessed on their water rescue techniques, endurance and fitness standards, CPR and emergency first aid knowledge, as well as their understanding of risk assessment and emergency response principles.

***This course is a prerequisite for lifeguarding in Canada.

Prerequisites:   Minimum 13 years of age OR Bronze Star certification, Previous Attempt at Bronze Medallion within the last 6 months OR Previous Lifeguard Experience from another Country

Currency: lifetime certification or valid for 2 years if used for employment

How to register: please contact Shandy Kariatsumari directly at shandy.k@csasurfcanada.org

BRONZE CROSS CHALLENGE

INSTRUCTOR - SHANDY KARIATSUMARI

LOCATION - TOFINO, BC

2026 Dates:

• April 17 - 18

• Aug. 18 - 20 

About this course:

This assessment-based course allows experienced candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in Bronze Cross skills without completing the full-length program. Participants will be evaluated on advanced water rescue techniques, endurance and fitness standards, teamwork in aquatic emergencies, spinal injury management, and CPR and first aid application in Assistant Lifeguard situations. 

***This is the second step towards lifeguarding in Canada

Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion certification (need not be current), Previous Attempt at Bronze Cross within the last 6 months OR Previous Lifeguard Experience from another Country

Currency: lifetime certification or valid for 2 years if used for employment

How to register: please contact Shandy Kariatsumari directly at shandy.k@csasurfcanada.org

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD SURF COURSE (LIFESAVING SOCIETY)

INSTRUCTOR - SHANDY KARIATSUMARI & SHAUN KOOPMAN

LOCATION - TOFINO, BC

2026 Dates:

• July 24 - 27 

The National Lifeguard Surf certification is designed to develop the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision of surf beach environments. It builds on the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness developed in the NL Waterfront certification

Prerequisites: National Lifeguard Waterfront (need not be current)

Currency: 2 years

How to register: please contact Shaun Koopman directly at shaunkoopman21@gmail.com