SURF RESPONDER SUMMIT
BWRAG’s two-day “Surf Responder and Ocean Safety Summit” is designed to train surfers and ocean athletes of all recreational backgrounds, ages, and ability in life-saving ocean safety, education, and skills. These summits are designed and instructed by the world’s most elite and experienced ocean safety experts. Students who complete the Surf Responder Summit receive a CPR certification by HSI, a BWRAG Certificate of Completion, and eligibility to purchase the Patagonia PSI vest.
CLASS SIZE: Up to 60 students
REGISTRATION FEE: Varies by region
CURRICULUM
Ocean Risk Management
This module presents students with BWRAG’s core curriculum component - risk management theory. Students will learn effective approaches to identifying and mitigating risk and cultivate the same decision-making process utilized by military units and first-responder agencies around the world.
Spot Analysis
Paddling out to a break is one thing. Understanding how to navigate its dangers and consider its composition when responding to an emergency is another. This module will show students how to break down a surf break by Identifying its hazards to avoid, eliminating or reducing the risks of encountering those hazards, and developing a strategic safety plan for that surf break in the event of an emergency situation.
Emergency Action Planning
Taking that long-anticipated surf trip? This module will teach students how to create a robust safety plan for any surf break in the world. Students will learn the process for building a safety team, including creating a checklist of critical preparation steps to complete before your surf trip (e.g., recording locations of the nearest hospitals, contact information for rescue and emergency agencies, response time of emergency rescue services, etc.).
CPR/AED
This module teaches students high-performance CPR and AED techniques taught specifically for ocean/beach rescue situations, with a curriculum created by our long-time partners and top-rated CPR trainers at the AED Institute of Hawaii.
Mindful Breathing & Apnea Training
This module teaches students the theory and physiology of breath-holding along with the mental training necessary to stay calm and composed, and to conserve energy underwater in critical situations. Students will learn practical breathing exercises to incorporate into their regular surf preparation training.
First Aid & Medical Interventions
This module provides students with examples of hands-on training in bleeding control, spinal injury extrication, joint immobilization, and more. We focus on the most common injuries and trauma scenarios seen in surf lineups.
Water Rescue
Are you prepared to save your fellow surfer? This module will instruct students how to conduct unassisted surfboard rescue of a victim, C-Spine extrication of a victim from ocean to beach, and important in-water communication techniques to employ during an emergency. Depending on the location and common practices in that areas, this module can also offer (1) scenario-based rescue drills where students apply knowledge and training acquired over the two days into a mock rescue situation, or (2) one- and two-person jet ski rescues of a conscious and unconscious victim.
Safety Equipment
A well-prepared surfer is a well-equipped surfer. This module will demonstrate essential equipment to add to your safety quiver depending on the context of your surf mission, including first aid kits, floatation technology such as inflatable and impact vests (including Patagonia’s PSI vest), locating beacons, heavy-duty surf leashes, and more.
UPCOMING SURF RESPONDER SUMMITS:
May 24-25, 2025 | Punta Hermosa, Peru
June 7-8, 2025 | Newport, Rhode Island, USA - EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION OPEN!
July, 2025 | Australia (location TBD)
August, 2025 | Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
September, 2025 | Los Angeles, California, USA
September, 2025 | San Clemente, California, USA
September, 2025 | San Diego, California, USA
October, 2025 | Ensenada, Mexico (Mexican residency required)
October, 2025 | Half Moon Bay, CA
October, 2025 | Europe (location TBD)
November, 2025 | San Juan, Puerto Rico
November, 2025 | Oahu, Hawaii, USA