Course Overview

SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water)

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Are you ready to take your stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) skills to the next level? The ASI SUP Wise Intensiv online course offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of all things SUP, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to paddle safely and effectively.

This course, spread across 16 detailed chapters, covers everything from understanding the SUP environment to choosing the right equipment, including boards, paddles, and accessories and techniques.

You'll delve deep into safety and awareness topics such as:

  • The SUP Environment: Learn about different SUP environments, types of activities, and the environmental impact of SUP.

  • Weather and Water Conditions: Master the ability to interpret weather conditions, understand tides and water flow, and read weather maps and barometers.

  • Hazards: Identify and navigate various hazards, including weather, water, and equipment hazards, as well as understanding the rights of way on the water.

  • Suitable SUP Locations: Discover how to identify safe and suitable locations for SUP, including reading safety signs and understanding regulations.

Focus on Paddle Skills for Safe Paddling

One of the key aspects of this course is mastering paddle stroke skills, which are crucial for your paddling ability.   With effective paddle skills, you will be able to:

  • Paddle with minimal effort and maximum efficiency: Cover longer distances without tiring.

  • Maintain balance and stability: Reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

  • Have greater control over your board: Stop suddenly or navigate away from dangers effectively. 

Other SUP Paddle Skills

In addition we cover the other key SUP paddle skills, the guidelines and techniques for turning, stopping, falling off safely, methods on getting back onto the board, entry, exit protocols, and more. 

Designed to instill confidence, awareness, safety, and correct technique in a variety of enclosed flat water settings.  

Videos and Course Information

The course provides extensive information, photos and videos on correct and incorrect paddle techniques. You'll understand the criteria for effective paddle skills, allowing you to assess your own abilities and compare them to benchmark paddlers.

Personalized Feedback

Submit your own paddle skills and paddle stroke videos for expert feedback. You'll receive detailed insights into areas of competency and areas that need improvement. With 12 months to practice and complete the course, you'll have ample time to hone your skills.

For personalized face-to-face feedback, you can visit an ASI accredited SUP school. Whether you prefer private coaching or joining group sessions, you'll find tailored support to enhance your skills.

Be Awarded the ASI SUP Paddlers Card

Upon demonstrating competency, you'll be awarded the prestigious ASI SUP Paddlers Card. This card sets a new benchmark for SUP skills and safety, and can be used for SUP board rentals, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

The First Step for ASI SUP Instructors

Starting the path to becoming a SUP instructor requires a solid foundation. The ASI SUP Wise Intensiv course is an initial first step and is required for all SUP Instructors. 

While this course is not designed for instruction, it ensures that every instructor, regardless of their prior experience, possess a consistent level of base knowledge, aligned with ASI guidelines and techniques. This comprehensive preparation equips aspiring SUP instructors to confidently undertake the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructors course.

The SUP Wise Intensiv course can be completed alongside the Level 1 SUP Instructor course (in other words you can enrol in both courses at the same time).

Embark on this journey with us and unlock your full potential as a stand-up paddler!

  • 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 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.


Aspiring ASI SUP instructors must understand and meet the SUP Wise Intensiv course requirements. Note: while this course covers the basics, a higher level of paddling experience is required to enrol in the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor course.

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.

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  (10 mins approx.)

Note: Individuals who are also enrolled in the ASI SUP Instructor course are not required to submit a” paddle stroke video” at this level. But paddle stroke video, of a higher level, needs to be submitted, as specified by the ASI SUP Instructor course requirements.

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) - Recreational Paddler.  
    (    This handy credit card sized card may be used to rent SUP boards or gain entry into higher level SUP courses.)

No renewal requirements.

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