Implementation of Surfing in Physical Education

Abstract

Surfing has a great educational potential. This paper shows Physical Education (PE) teachers how to introduce surfing in their lessons although they are far from the coast and the waves. Our intention is to show its implementation through several stages that will progressively bring students closer to practicing surfing. For thar purpose, we selected the pedagogical model “Interactive Challenges with Shared Responsibility” based on the contents are presented by means of highly demanding challenges, interactions are encouraged in a dialogic learning context, a support network and a safe and no-violence work environment. The pedagogical approach used for including surfing in the PE class comprises three consecutive stages (ground, pool, sea) attending to the contents and facilities used, familiarizing students progressively to the aquatic and sea environment. In the ground stage, students develop static to dynamic balance and sliding skills with Bosu, Fitball, Indo boards, skates, tarp surf or slack-line. Buoyancy, diving and swimming skills are achieved in the pool stage. Finally, surfing skills and techniques are developed in the sea stage. In conclusion, surfing is a challenging and attractive content that can be included in the Physical Education classes for becoming a means that enriches the active leisure options of our students and provides a setting for socialization in contact with nature.