Professional work performance in adventure sports: case study with a surf coach

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze the context of professional work performance of a surf coach from Florianópolis city, Santa Catarina. Qualitative research and case study procedures were adopted conbining participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Thematic Analysis was used for data analysis. It was verified that the coach’s context of professional work performance comprises a broad and complex system, marked by her participation in various activities and social interactions, with full participation in her place of professional work. The coach’s pedagogical intervention for teaching/coaching surfing is conditioned by seasonality, the environmental conditions to practice this sport, and the focus of sports instruction. Essentialy, the coach’s personal goal is to share her surfing lifestyle.