(2nd paperback edition, 2013) "This text is a real first in its chosen subject matter, to which later works will always make reference" (Dr. Nicholas Ford, author [with David Brown] of "Surfing and Social Theory: the experience, embodiment and narrative of the dream glide", Routledge, 2006). This work is an academic analysis on the pedagogy of surfing, conducted by a team of researchers linked to the Motor Behavior and Biomechanics Laboratory at the Rio de Janeiro State University. Academic literature in the theme of surfing and physical education has been reviewed in order to provide surfing instructors with a scientific rationale to enable students with an oriented consciousness mastering in the practice of the sport. At this very moment our main concern relates to the results of our research, which to us indicate that the pedagogical approach currently adopted worldwide in the teaching of the sport seems to be leading apprentices to certain critical misconceptions in terms of the main maritime hazards and safety limits involved in the process of acquainting with the surf environment. Up to now we have been unable to find, neither in Brazil nor internationally, technical-scientific works addressing the pedagogy of surfing which may have been published in the form of books. References to our study include scientific publications on sports pedagogy, didactics, motor learning, sports physiology, sports training, anatomy, biomechanics, social imaginary, oceanography, marine biology and military training, besides a few journalistic, artistic, literary works focusing on the sport of surfing. Our project was primarily designed as a means for theoretical and practical referencing to professionals who work in the teaching of surfing (physical education teachers/students and surfing instructors in general), in that its Portuguese edition also aims to elicit the instrumentalization of surfing in behalf of the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade on its Maritime Rescuing Basic Training. Our methodological structure dismisses direct physical/inappropriate verbal assistance in the teaching process; alternatively, we present strategies and means to elicit the state of nature as the main index to ensure individual restrictions to be respected, and the most appropriate formal precise pedagogical actions to be identified with regard to the maximization of the overall efficacy and efficiency on the pedagogical process. Brief presentation of the authors: (1) Bruno Ferreira Alves Castello da Costa -> Industrial Engineer by the Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Physical Education Teacher by the Rio de Janeiro State University; (2) Gabriel Gueiros Nunes -> Physical Education Teacher by the Rio de Janeiro State University; (3) Rafael Barçante Ladvocat Cintra -> Physical Education Teacher by the Rio de Janeiro State University; (4) Luiz Alberto Batista -> Physical Education Teacher by the Rio de Janeiro State University, Master of Science in Education by the Rio de Janeiro Fluminense Federal University and Doctor of Philosophy in Sports Sciences by the Porto University (Portugal). LANGUAGE ADVISORY: This book has been written by Brazilian Portuguese native speakers who have strived to develop a decent English version moved by the belief it becomes paramount, at this time, to facilitate the dissemination of our hypothesis also to non-Portuguese speakers, in a pursuit to alert as many Physical Education professionals and surfing enthusiasts as possible of a few significant maritime safety risks we have found to be involved in the current state of the art in the pedagogy of surfing - proofreading suggestions, as well as customer reviews, are welcome.
