Take Off
Take Off is a fundamental surfing skill that refers to the crucial moment when a surfer transitions from lying on the board to standing up as they catch a wave. It's similar to the basic movement in skateboarding or snowboarding where someone needs to get from a resting position to an active stance. This skill is essential for surfing instructors to both perform and teach, as it's considered the foundation of surfing. When reviewing resumes in the surfing instruction field, this term indicates that the candidate has experience teaching or mastering this critical technique.
Examples in Resumes
Developed specialized teaching methods for Take Off techniques for beginners
Created video tutorials demonstrating proper Take Off form for student reference
Successfully taught Take Off skills to over 200 novice surfers
Typical job title: "Surf Instructors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Surf Instructors
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you adapt take-off teaching methods for different student skill levels?
Expected Answer: A senior instructor should explain different teaching progressions, from beach practice to water implementation, and how they modify techniques based on student age, fitness level, and learning style.
Q: What safety protocols do you implement when teaching take-offs in different wave conditions?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of wave assessment, student placement in water, emergency procedures, and how to adjust teaching methods based on conditions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are common take-off mistakes you see with beginners and how do you correct them?
Expected Answer: Should identify issues like poor positioning on board, incorrect timing, or improper foot placement, and explain correction methods.
Q: How do you teach take-offs to groups versus individual students?
Expected Answer: Should explain group management techniques while maintaining individual attention, and how to organize effective group practice sessions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Describe the basic steps of teaching a take-off to a first-time surfer.
Expected Answer: Should outline fundamental steps: board positioning, paddle timing, hand placement, and the basic pop-up movement sequence.
Q: What safety considerations do you prioritize when teaching take-offs to beginners?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking water depth, wave size selection, proper board spacing, and basic ocean awareness instruction.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic take-off demonstration ability
- Understanding of beginner teaching techniques
- Basic water safety knowledge
- Simple problem-solving with common student issues
Mid (2-4 years)
- Advanced take-off techniques in various conditions
- Group class management
- Ability to quickly diagnose and correct student errors
- Advanced safety management
Senior (5+ years)
- Expert-level teaching methodology
- Ability to train other instructors
- Program development experience
- Advanced risk management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to demonstrate proper take-off technique
- Lack of basic water safety knowledge
- No experience with beginner-level instruction
- Poor communication skills
- Missing required surf instruction certifications
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Beyond Borders: Mastering the Art of a Global Onboarding Calendar
Human Capital Operational Excellence: Unlocking Your Organization's Potential
Cutting HR Costs Without Sacrificing Quality: A How-To for Savvy Executives
