Course Overview

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of SUP environments, water and weather conditions, hazards, and ASI guidelines to identify safe and suitable paddling locations.
  

• Able to perform basic SUP paddle strokes with relative ease and consistency, though not technically perfect in all areas.
  

• Displays confidence and balance on the board, with a good grasp of paddle control, able to paddle in a relatively straight line with some hinging and reach, applying downward pressure with the top hand to generate basic speed, at 30 paddle strokes per minute.

The course applies to:

• inland waterways including rivers, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, canals

• flat water, with no swell or breaking waves

• minimal water flow (less than 2 knots/ 2.3 miles per hour)

• wind speed less than 12 knots

• no more than 250 metres from shore

• at least 200 metres from river mouths

Assistant SUP Instructor. 
Industry job roles that require SUP knowledge (e.g. marketing, sales, retail).

Environment & Safety

• Recognise features of enclosed flat water environments

• Identify safe weather conditions and forecast them

• Understand various water conditions

• Identify hazards at paddling locations

• Choose safe SUP locations

• Care for the enclosed flat water SUP environment

Personal Safety

• Recognise the personal hazards specific to paddling

• Understand how correct paddle technique helps minimize muscle injuries

• Practice proper SUP flat water etiquette

• Learn the self-rescue method using prone paddling

 Equipment & Clothing

• Select an appropriate flat water board, type of leash, and other equipment

• Learn correct methods for carrying the board, including entry and exit techniques

• Properly use leashes

• Choose suitable clothing for paddling

 Technique - Paddle Stroke

• Understand correct paddle stroke techniques - position, posture, paddle control, reach, hinging and 5 phases of the paddle stroke– entry, catch, power phase, exit, recovery.
  

• Understand how each part of the paddle stroke affects paddling performance.
  

• Demonstrate basic paddle stroke techniques:

• Correct position and posture

• Balanced and confident.

• Paddle control basics including basic techniques for holding the paddle, entry to ware and  arm positioning.

• Paddle in relatively straight line

• Some hinging and some reach

Paddle stroke speed:

• Basic level: confident with basic skills, achieving 30 strokes per minute.

Technique – Other Paddle Skills

• Safe entry and exit the water methods

• Paddle on knees with correct technique – 2 methods

• Transitioning from kneeling to standing to kneeling – 2 methods

• Maintaining balance using bracing stroke

• How to maintain direction and paddle in a straight line

• Turn the board using back paddling and sweep strokes

• How to stop the board – 2 methods

• How to fall safely and dismount methods

• 2 methods to easily get back on your board

Able to swim 50 metres (164 ft)

Online:  Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform.  Submission of video of your SUP paddling skills.

Workshop:

• Available through ASI Accredited SUP Schools. Study online in your own time. Plus in-person session with ASI Instructor, with on water practice and feedback.   

• New Instructors:  Available for people who enrolled in the Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) course.  Study online in your own time, with in-person on water practice with ASI Trainer.  Conditions of entry apply.

ASI's E-learning Platform provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments.   

Read online manual and view videos.

• Complete online multi-choice tests.

• Paddle stroke - submit video demonstrating correct technique and minimum 30 strokes per minutes (3 short videos 1 min each - left side, right side, front on).

• Other SUP skills - submit video demonstrating ability to perform: enter and exit water, falling off, getting back on methods, paddling on knees, stopping, turning strokes  (video no more than 10 mins approx.)

• Online manual with access for 12 months

• Access to the ASI e-learning platform 

• 1 free video paddle stroke and other SUP skills assessment / written feedback.  

• 12 months to complete all course requirements.

The following is required to undertake the training:

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

• SUP clothing suitable for paddling

• Camera to take video (eg mobile phone)

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

On successful completion and deemed competent you will be awarded:

• ASI SUP Wise INTENSIV certificate 
  

• ASI SUP Paddlers Card (Enclosed Flat Water)
  (This handy credit card sized card may be used to rent SUP boards or gain entry into higher level SUP courses.)

No renewal requirements.