This is the entry level course for SUP instructors. Deliver basic SUP lessons, short SUP paddle tours and SUP rentals in enclosed flat water locations.

Qualified to instruct at Enclosed Flat Water locations, defined as:

• inland waterways including rivers, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, canals, enclosed harbours without swell

• with no swell or breaking waves

• wind speed less than 12 knots

• no more than 250 metres from shore

• Stand Up Paddle Instructor in the SUP or outdoor recreation industry.
• Industry job roles that require SUP knowledge (e.g. marketing, sales, retail)
• Pathways to higher levels like SUP Tech Coach or to become a SUP yoga teacher, a SUP surfing coach or perhaps a SUP fitness instructor.
• Start your own ASI accredited SUP school.

Compliance & Safety

• The role of the SUP instructor

• Laws and regulations that apply to conducting SUP lessons/tours

• SUP lesson / tours risks and hazards

• Strategies to minimise risks

• Emergency processes and response

Planning Sessions

• Identify suitable SUP locations and documentation

• Logistics and how to plan enclosed flat water SUP sessions

• Suitable boards, equipment and resources

Session Delivery

• Deliver basic SUP lessons, SUP tours and SUP activities

• Creating session plans for your clients / locations

• ASI SUP Wise learn to SUP programs and how to implement

• Instruction techniques and methods

• Conduct paddle stroke and other SUP skills assessment using the ASI assessment criteria

• Identify common mistakes

• Provide feedback

Client Management

• Communication skills for the SUP environment

• Methods to manage clients safely

Other

• Evaluate your own SUP teaching sessions  

• SUP Rentals safety and management

Before enrolling in this course:

• have at least 100 hours on water SUP paddling experience

• competent paddler - able to paddle with confidence, correct technique and safety equivalent to ASI SUP Wise Enclosed Flat Water level - Foundation Skills criteria

• English speaking skills

Pre-requisite Course:

• ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water) course

  This course provides underlying paddle skills and knowledge required for the SUP Instructor course. Can be completed at the same time as enrolling in this instructor course.

The following study options are available for this course.

Workshop:  An intensive course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group. 
Duration:  2 days. 

Flexible Online Learning:  Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform.  Upload video to demonstrate skills. 

Transfer:   Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification. This is an online course option. (acceptable quals only, contact ASI for more information)

Update:  For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification. This is an online course option.

Fasttrack:  An online course with a face to face workshop.   Cover key skills at the workshop to prepare you to submit video skill evidence after workshop. Fasttrack combined courses allow you to complete required and pre-requisite courses at the same time.

Online Courses - ASI's E-learning Platform
ASI's e-learning platform provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments.  Access is available for all the above delivery options.

Here is what you complete to gain your ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (enclosed flat water) qualification.

Refer to the “Study Option” below, for details on how to complete the course requirements for each study option (workshop, online, transfer, update)  

Knowledge and Skills

• Review ASI theory, complete assessments and exercises.

• Complete multi-choice online tests.

• Demonstrate correct paddle stroke technique and other SUP Skills. 

• Complete paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins. 

Practical Hours Experience
Complete 10 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of SUP lessons, at an ASI accredited SUP school or other approved SUP school.  Demonstrate ability to deliver sessions. Submit logbook of hours and declaration signed by SUP school owner.

Other

• Have completed the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water) course (can be completed at the same time as enrolling in this instructor course)

• Submit a current ASI SUP water rescue or other surf rescue certificate Acceptable Rescue certificates

• Submit a current senior first aid certificate Acceptable First Aid certificates

• Submit Identification

• Submit Working with Children Check: if applicable to your country. 

Note: Rescue and First Aid Certificates can be provided before or after workshop or within 12 months of enrolment. 

Time to Complete: You have 12 months from date of workshop, or date of online enrolment, to complete all course requirements. 

Re-assessment Fees
Re-assessment fee applies if not yet competent in paddle stroke or the1 km paddle test. See Fees

The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:

• Flat water stand up paddle board, paddle, coiled leash

• SUP clothing suitable for paddling

In addition, for the Online learning option:   

• Computer or mobile phone to access ASI e-learning platform  

• Video camera or mobile phone to take video of practical skills and submit online 

ASI Level 1 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) Certificate
Valid for 12 months

Each year, ASI SUP Instructors renew their ASI SUP Instructor certificate.   
More about renewal requirements

Read more at: SUP Instructor Course FAQ's

To become an ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor for enclosed flat water locations, the following ASI courses are required.

• ASI SUP Wise Intensiv

• ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

• ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award

SUP Wise Intensiv is a pre-requisite course. But all these courses can be completed alongside each other.

Order of Training:

There is no requirement to complete ASI SUP Rescue before enrolling the L1 SUP Instructor course.

Online: 
You must enrol in SUP Wise Intensiv course at the same time as the L1 SUP Instructor course. (These courses can be completed alongside each other).

Workshop:
You must attend (or have completed) the SUP Wise Intensiv workshop prior to attending the Level 1 SUP Instructor course. (These courses can be completed alongside each other).

Workshop schedules are typically :   
Day 1:  ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (3 hrs) & ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award (4 hrs)
Day 2 - 3:  ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)  2 days

How to Enrol:

Enrol at:  Enrol
Choose relevant study option. For ease of enrolment, choose combined enrolment options.

Enrol in all 3 ASI courses
Choose combined courses: L1 SUP, SUP Rescue, SUP Wise.

Enrol in 2 ASI courses
If you hold an ASI SUP Rescue or acceptable surf rescue qualification.
Choose the combined course:  L1 SUP Instructor, SUP Wise

Enrol in 1 ASI Course
If you hold SUP Wise Intensiv and an ASI SUP Rescue or an acceptable surf rescue qualification.
Just enrol in the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

Transfer Course
Choose Transfer course -  L1 SUP Instructor.  Note:  SUP Wise Intensiv is included, so you don’t need to do a separate enrolment.
If you are working with an ASI Accredited SUP School, you pay a special discount fee (choose special fee on enrolment form, and provide name of the ASI SUP school).

Update Course
Choose Update course -  L1 SUP Instructor.  Note:  SUP Wise Intensiv is included, so you don’t need to do a separate enrolment.  “Welcome back” special fees apply.  (choose special fee on enrolment form).

An intensive face to face course that focuses on the major components, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group.  Paddle technique skills are assessed at the workshop.
Duration:  2 days. 

What We Provide
Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) manual (paper)
Logbook for practical hours (paper)
ASI membership for 12 months.
1 free reassessment

Course Requirements

At workshop:

• Complete theory assessments and exercises, practice at water.

• Demonstrate correct paddle stroke technique.

• Complete paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins.

After workshop:

• Complete multi-choice online tests.

• Complete 8 practical hours experience (2 hours signed off in workshop)

Other:

• Submit current first aid certificate

• Submit current rescue certificate

• Submit identification

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

• Have completed the SUP Wise Intensiv course

Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform. Upload videos to demonstrate skills. 

What We Provide

• Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) online manual

• Downloadable logbook (for practical hours)

• ASI membership for 12 months.

• 1 free assessment plus 1 free reassessment

Course Requirements

• Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises.

• Complete multi-choice online tests.

• Submit video demonstrating correct paddle stroke technique.

• Submit video demonstrating paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins. 

• Complete 10 hours practical experience.

Other:

• Submit current first aid certificate

• Submit current rescue certificate

• Submit identification

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

• Have completed the SUP Wise Intensiv course

Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification. This is an online course option.  There is no requirement to complete practical hours experience.

Entry Requirements
Submit an acceptable non ASI SUP Instructor certificate, not expired by more than 12 months  (Contact ASI for more information)

What We Provide

• Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) online manual

• SUP Wise Intensiv online manual

• ASI membership for 12 months

• 1 free assessment

Course Requirements

• Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises.

• Complete multi-choice online tests.

• Submit video demonstrating correct paddle stroke technique.

• Submit video demonstrating paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins. 

Other:

• Submit current first aid certificate

• Submit current rescue certificate

• Submit identification

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

• Have completed the SUP Wise Intensiv course

Enrolment

If you are working with an ASI Accredited SUP school, you pay a special discount fee (choose special fee on enrolment form, and provide the name of the ASI SUP school).

For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification. This is an online course option. 
There is no requirement to complete practical hours or paddle mission test.

Entry Requirements

Holds an ASI L1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) certificate – completed within the past 3 years.  
(contact ASI if you completed the ASI training prior to this).

What We Provide

• Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) online manual

• SUP Wise Intensiv online manual

• ASI membership for 12 months.

• 1 free assessment

Course Requirements

• Read online manual, view videos, complete exercises.

• Complete multi-choice online tests.

• Submit video demonstrating correct paddle stroke technique.

Other:

• Submit current first aid certificate

• Submit current rescue certificate

• Submit child check (if applicable to your country)

• Have completed the SUP Wise Intensiv course (for enrolments after 1 Oct 2021). 

Enrolment

Welcome back special fees apply. On the enrolment form choose special fee.

The ASI Fasttrack course is an online course with a face to face workshop.  

The aim of the workshop is to cover key skills and prepare participants to submit their own video for assessment, after the workshop. Time is spent at the water with practice and demonstrations and in the classroom covering theory.

Courses
3 courses are included with the Level 1 SUP Instructor course.   These are pre-requisite and required modules.

• SUP Wise Intensiv  Course Information

• SUP Rescue Water Safety Award  Course Information 

• Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)  

Workshop duration.  1 day.

Entry Requirements

• Experienced paddler with a minimum of 100 hours on water stand up paddling in enclosed flat water locations.

• Swim 100 metres without stopping and with ease.

• Able to complete the rescue mission test (as listed below)

What We Provide

• Access to 3 x online learning manuals and assessments for:  (1) SUP Wise Intensiv  (2) SUP Rescue Water Safety Award  (3) Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) .

• Paperbased manuals provided at workshop for: (1) SUP Rescue Water Safety Award (2) Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)    

• 1 day workshop

• 2 free post workshop video assessments

• ASI membership for 12 months.

Course Requirements

Prior to workshop
Read online training manuals (highly recommended, to assist you in the workshop).

At Workshop:

• Complete theory, practice at water

• Practice paddle stroke and other SUP skills.

• Complete paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins

• Practice SUP Rescues - unconscious person

• Complete SUP Rescue mission test – swim 100 metres, run 200 metres, prone paddle 200 metres, without stopping,  within 10 mins

After workshop:

• Submit video demonstrating correct paddle stroke technique.

• Submit video demonstrating paddling mission test -paddle for 1 km (0.6 miles) in under 10 mins. 

• Complete 10 hours practical experience. (2 hours signed off in workshop)

• Submit video rescuing an unconscious person

• Submit video completing the SUP Rescue mission test

• Complete online quizzes – SUP Wise Intensiv and Level 1 SUP Instructor

Note: you do not need to submit video post workshop if you demonstrate competency in: SUP paddle stroke, other SUP skills, 1km paddle test, SUP rescue mission test  

In addition, before or after the workshop:

• Submit first aid certificate

• Submit identification

Time to Complete:  you have 12 months to complete all course requirements.