The aim of the study was to describe how coaches perceive their own professional development in surfing and interpret these perceptions in line with the specialized literature. A qualitative study was conducted with multiple case studies involving eleven competent coaches in forming young surfers in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. Data were collected from structured and semi-structured interviews. As for data analysis, we used the technique of content analysis. The results show that coaches value many informal sources of development. The knowledge sharing, the problem solving and the observation of other coaches are essential to construct the professional knowledge. It is concluded that professionals learn from spontaneous engagement with the specific field of surfing and from a process of socialization within a socio-cultural context of this sport.
Physical Education and Sport; Coaching; Surfing
