Course Overview

SUP Fitness Instructor

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Learn how to teach Stand Up Paddle (SUP) fitness sessions, with ASI the world leader in SUP coaching.

This combined Level 1 & 2 course is designed for fitness professionals.   It provides the knowledge and skills to safely deliver and design fitness exercises on a SUP board in the water.

It’s an exciting way to work out.  The SUP board challenges and intensifies even the basic fitness moves improving your balance, core stability, strength and cardiovascular system.  Challenge your clients by using resistance bands and SUP fitness circuits.

You also get access to ASI’s SUP Wise Intensiv - SUP paddle skills online reference manual.

An ASI accredited SUP Fitness Instructor is part of the ASI worldwide community.  Your qualification is international. You get to work with great people in amazing locations. 

Conduct stand up paddle fitness sessions with basic to intermediate-advanced exercises, including using resistance bands, in standing depth water, no more than 50 metres from shore.

SUP fitness locations are defined as:

  • inland waters or coastal locations with flat water, no swell or breaking waves

  • minimal or no wind

  • free from hazards

  • no more than 50 metres from shore

  • standing water depth (eg water depth no more than 4ft) 

Note:  This SUP Fitness Instructor qualification does not cover SUP lessons or paddling more than 50 metres. 
Enrol in ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) course, if plan to deliver SUP lessons or SUP paddling tours.  OR you plan to paddle more than 50 metres to your SUP Fitness activity area.

  • Stand Up Paddle Fitness Instructor within the stand up paddle industry or outdoor recreation industry.
  • Industry job roles that require SUP Fitness knowledge (e.g. marketing, sales, retail)

Level 1 SUP Fitness

  • SUP fitness locations, hazards & risk management
  • Client safety management techniques
  • Emergency processes and response
  • Learn a range of fitness exercises -  cardio, core, strength, toning, balancing modified for basic / beginners SUP fitness
  • Develop SUP fitness programs to suit your client base
  • Demonstrate delivery of SUP fitness programs
  • Identify suitable SUP fitness equipment, including anchoring systems
  • Evaluate own SUP fitness instruction techniques

Level 2 SUP Fitness

  • Learn a range of fitness exercises modified for intermediate-advanced SUP fitness.
  • Learn SUP resistance training exercises with the use of resistance tubes/bands.
  • Provide SUP cardio moves giving you that aerobic workout
  • Develop a range of high end SUP fitness workout programs including: SUP circuits, SUP tums bums, Resistance training, Interval training SUP Abs
  • Create intermediate-advanced core workout sessions with the use of resistance tubes and paddle
  • Demonstrate delivery of intermediate-advanced SUP fitness programs.

Before starting this course:

  • Hold a Personal Trainer qualification or similar
    As minimum this is where you are certified to train clients in a group, in an unsupervised setting, including outdoor sessions. 
    eg.  UK-Reps Level 2. Australia-Certificate 3 in Fitness, Other countries-equivalent. 

  • have participated in, or practiced on your own, a minimum of 10 hours of SUP fitness sessions.

  • a minimum of 20 hours on water SUP paddling experience.

  • English speaking skills  

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. 

Knowledge Requirements

Complete written exercises.

  • Workshop:  at the workshop  

Skills Requirements

Demonstrate ability to perform SUP Fitness exercises with safety. 

  • Workshop:  conducted at workshop

Demonstrate ability to prepare the class - enter the water, anchoring, organise group ready to start the session.

  • Workshop:  conducted at workshop


Practical Hours Experience
Complete 10 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of SUP Fitness sessions at an ASI or approved SUP school. 

  • Workshop:  after the workshop. Recognition of previous SUP Fitness instruction experience can be provided.  

Other
Applies to all study options.

  • Submit your Personal Trainer Certificate- at enrolment.

  • Submit a current senior first aid certificate 

  • Identification

  • Working with Children Check: If applicable to your country. 

Acceptable First Aid certificates

First Aid Certificate 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 or online enrolment, to complete all course requirements.  

ASI SUP Fitness Instructor manual 
SUP Instruction Logbook
SUP Wise online reference manual
ASI membership for 12 months.

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

  • SUP flat water stand up paddle board
  • Paddle
  • Coiled leash (leg-rope)
  • SUP clothing suitable for SUP fitness

ASI Level 1 & 2 Stand Up Paddle Fitness Instructor certificate

(valid for 12 months from the date you attended the workshop)

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

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