The wingfoil boom probably surprised even the biggest optimists - equipment was hard to come by and wingsurfing courses were also in high demand at the many surf schools in Germany and abroad. Many surf schools therefore added the new sport to their portfolio without further ado ( HERE there's an overview).
The problem is that water sports instructors have been in short supply for years - a trend that is likely to be exacerbated by the rise of wingfoiling. Conversely, this means that first-time wingsurfers who enjoy teaching can train to become instructors and are probably guaranteed a job afterwards.
We asked Dirk Muschenich, Managing Director of the Association of German Water Sports Schools (VDWS), what opportunities are currently available and what requirements you need to fulfil:
Dirk, what is the current ratio of job offers to applications?
In contrast to the classic sports at the VDWS (windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and SUP), things are still relatively quiet and manageable on this job front. Considering that in the other sports mentioned, every employer is desperately looking for qualified instructors and the association, despite currently very good training rates, cannot keep up, this is astonishing.
Why is that?
Perhaps the current situation is also due to the fact that many water sports centres are still in an orientation phase when it comes to wingsurfing. At the same time, in the initial phase of wingsurfing, these centres now have their core staff at their disposal, who generally have a lot of training experience, regardless of which "camp" they come from, and are trying out wingsurfing intensively. At the moment, the centres tend to have retrained instructors, but if the trend continues, there will inevitably be a shortage of staff at some point.
What are the requirements for training to become a wingsurf instructor?
The requirements are straightforward, although it should be noted that the most important requirement has very little to do with wing sports: This is because a future instructor must, above all, enjoy teaching the sport to their guests or customers in a fearless, successful and structured way.
Otherwise, the following requirements must be met in order to participate in a VDWS Wing Instructor training programme:
- Safe tacking in different areas up to and including six Beaufort
- Get in and out of the water safely according to the conditions
- Easy uphill running
- Safe change of direction (jibe out and in toeside) in both directions
- Controlled stopping at a specific point
These manoeuvres should all be able to be performed in a foiled state and without touchdown. In addition, a turn must be mastered on a SUP or windsurf board with a centreboard. The minimum age for participation is 18 years.
What do you learn on your training courses and what does the next step look like afterwards?
Maybe I'll start with what you don't learn on a VDWS course, but what you already need to bring with you. Above all, these are the aforementioned practical riding skills. In other words, nobody learns how to wing as such on a wing instructor course. The training focuses primarily on safe and success-orientated teaching (appropriate choice of methods) and the general conditions (wind, weather, water, equipment, students), which the new instructor must assess, evaluate and plan for. You also learn how to organise and conduct group lessons that take place on the water and therefore place much higher demands on the instructor than is the case with theory lessons in a classroom. Last but not least, participants are taught how to organise their lessons (which are also practised with real students) in such a way that the students are and remain motivated.
Do I have to take an exam at the end?
Yes, the course includes three parts - a practical and a theoretical exam, as well as a teaching test with real students. After that you can"VDWS Wingboarding Instructor Level 1" name. The second part of the instructor training programme then begins, which consists of at least 100 hours of practical training at a qualified member school. After this, you are then"VDWS Wingboarding Instructor Level 2".
Where do training courses take place and how much do they cost?
The VDWS Wingboarding Instructor Level 1 training courses always last eight days. The course fees for a Level 1 course are 695 euros.
The following dates and venues are planned for the 2022 season
- Tarifa, Spain (English): 14.-21.03.
- Torbole/Lake Garda (Italian/German): 23.-30.04.
- Büsum: 13-20 May.
- Altmühlsee: 20-27 May.
- Hulshorst (Dutch): 10.-17.06.
- Norddeich: 13-20 June.
- Podersdorf: 18-25 Sept.
- Torbole (Italian): 10.-17.10.
- Cyprus (English/German): 22.10.-29.10.
Further dates will follow depending on demand.
All dates are HERE to find.
