Who wants to learn how to surf?
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to develop surfing as a major tourism product for the Philippines.
“The DOT is implementing two far-reaching programs to develop surfing as a major tourism product for the country,” the agency said in a statement.
One of the two programs calls for the classification and accreditation of resorts, surf camps or other facilities that provide surfing lessons to clients.
“Accreditation of such will require these training facilities to retain certified surfing instructors to teach or supervise the teaching of their students. It will also require them to have the essential teaching equipment and gear, such as soft training surfboards and rash guards; adequate spaces for class lessons, lockers, toilets and showers. Very important, they must have emergency rescue and crisis response capabilities including first aid kits and communications equipment for handling urgent conditions,” the DOT stated.
Meanwhile, the other program focuses on the upgrading of local coaches to bring them to the level of internationally certified professional surfing instructors. The DOT said they want “to place them at par with the world’s best surfing coaches and increasing the number to retain certified instructors to teach or supervise the teaching of their students.”
For this project, the DOT has partnered with Australia’s Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) and its local chapter, the Academy of Surfing Instructors Philippines (ASIP). ASI is the world’s leading professional education, certification and accreditation standard for these. ASIP’s role is to execute all ASI functions, such as conducting instructor certification courses in the Philippines under strict ASI supervision, it was noted.
Source: KickerDaily
