Jobs

Surf Coach – Local Only

Soul & Surf Sri Lanka has been the leading surf and yoga stay on the island since 2014. We’re a small, hands-on team delivering surf, yoga, food, and retreat experiences — and we’re looking for an experienced, professional, and sociable Surf Coach to join our team for the main season (November to April).

This is an all-round coaching and hosting role for someone who wants to deliver high-quality, structured development lessons. We are not a party camp. Our guests are here to learn, progress, and connect in a genuine, soulful environment.

The Reality of the Role

This is a highly physical, demanding role in a hot tropical climate, with days structured around early 6:15 AM starts and wrapping up around 6:30 PM. You are not just here to surf and coach. You will be running up to ten 2-hour practical sessions a week (split between morning lessons and evening surf guiding), leading video correction sessions, and conducting Soul of Surfing theory workshops. You will also be actively involved in the operational grind — managing board inventory, fixing equipment, and coordinating tuk-tuk logistics to get guests to changing breaks on time. Because you are a central figure in our guests’ holiday, your day doesn’t always end when you get out of the water; you need the social stamina to host group dinners, film nights, and BBQs several evenings a week. If you prefer a job where you leave work at the beach, this won’t fit. If you want to be fully embedded in a tight-knit international team and community, you will thrive.

Hours & Logistics

• Type: Full-time, 5 full days a week (2 full days off per week).
• Schedule: Early starts (6:15 AM) with flexible downtime during the day, plus a couple of evenings hosting dinners and events. Main season runs November to April.
• Age Requirement: Minimum 25 years of age.

Responsibilities

Surf Coaching & Guest Progression

• Deliver the curriculum: Under the guidance of the Head Surf Coach, implement our detailed Level 1 to 4 lesson plans, evening surf guides, video feedback, and theory sessions.
• Tailor the experience: Adapt your coaching in and out of the water to match each guest’s specific skill level, ensuring maximum progression and encouragement within their week-long stay.
• Lead by example: Set the standard for team morale, positivity, and energy in the water. If you aren’t having fun out there, neither will the guests.
• Uphold safety protocols: Enforce an uncompromising safety ethic on the beach and in the ocean during all guided sessions and formal lessons.

Operations, Logistics & Boundaries

• Coordinate transport & gear: Proactively manage the surf board hire stock, communicate daily guest numbers with our beachside locations, and liaise directly with our local tuk-tuk crew to ensure transport runs perfectly on time.
• Equipment maintenance: Actively execute the ongoing equipment repair schedule to keep our boards and gear in top condition.
• Host the community: Step into social hosting roles naturally — welcome guests, answer local questions, attend film nights/BBQs, and make everyone feel like good friends staying at a home.

Essentials For The Role

• Certifications: Current ISA Level 1 Surf Coaching certificate.
• Experience: Proven surfing competence and deep ocean knowledge. Experience working in developing countries (especially Sri Lanka) is a massive advantage.
• Stamina & Interpersonal Skills: Boundless physical energy to work in hot, humid conditions, combined with excellent communication and presentation skills for guest workshops.

What We Offer

• Accommodation: A shared room in the staff house (including active participation in house upkeep) or an equivalent accommodation budget if you source your own.
• Meals: Staff breakfast and lunch on working days, plus retreat meals provided when hosting guest events.
• Perks: Provided visa support, airport transfers, staff discounts at the Café, free yoga classes when available.

How to Apply

Please contact us using the form below or email your application to jobs@soulandsurf.com. Your application must include:

• Your updated CV.
• Scans/copies of your current ISA Level 1.
• The names and contact numbers of 2 previous managers for references.
• A short paragraph or two explaining why you’d be a good fit, showing you understand our values and background.