This is the qualification you need to be become an ASI SUP Instructor and applies to Enclosed Flat Water Locations.

In summary: 

• Can stand up paddle confidence and safety in enclosed flat water locations – at least 100 hours paddling experience

• ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (enclosed flat water) certificate

• ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate

• ASI SUP Rescue or a Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience  working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

 Read detailed course requirements..

What ASI Courses do I Enrol in?

To become an ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor for enclosed flat water locations, the following 3 ASI courses are required.

1. ASI SUP Wise Intensiv

2. ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

3. ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award

You can enrol in all 3 courses at the same time by enrolling in the Level 1 SUP Instructor (enclosed flat water) Combined Package #1 (for either workshop or online courses)

 Do I have to Enrol in the SUP Wise Intensiv Course?

Yes. Everyone completes this course, no matter what level paddler you are.   This course has pre-requisite information for the instructor course. eg  ASI SUP technique correct/incorrect, locations, equipment, clothing, safety and ASI guidelines.

• Workshops – you can enrol in SUP Wise Intensiv at the same time as the L1 SUP Instructor course.  It is always delivered prior to the L1 Course.

• Online – you can enrol at the same time as you L1 SUP Instructor qualification.  Allowing you to read SUP Wise Intensiv information and L1 Information at the same time.

The ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (enclosed flat water) course only have SUP Instructor specific information that applies to managing students, safety, session planning, equipment options, evaluating technique, providing feedback, and more.

Do I have to do the ASI SUP Rescue Course?

Yes, as it has skills specific to using a SUP board to rescue a client, paddle them to shore, how to paddle a board and fitness mission test.

You do not need to do the ASI SUP Rescue course, if you hold an approved “surf” lifesaving rescue certificate.

If you operate in coastal locations, you also enrol in the ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) course.

In summary: 

• Can stand up paddle confidence and safety in exposed waters / coastal locations – at least 100 hours paddling experience

• ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) certificate

• ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Waters) certificate

• ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate

• ASI SUP Rescue or a Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience  working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school in enclosed flat waters and 10 hours at exposed waters.  Or 20 hours in exposed waters.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

Read detailed course requirements..

What ASI Courses do I Enrol in?

To become an ASI Level 2 SUP instructor for exposed waters, the following 4 ASI courses are required.

1. ASI SUP Wise Intensiv

2. ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

3. ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters)

4. ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award

You can enrol in all 4 courses at the same time by enrolling in the Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) Combined Package #1 (for either workshop or online courses)

Why do I have to do the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor qualification if I am only Operating in Coastal Waters?

 You will need to complete the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor course prior to doing the ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor course.   L1 course is a pre-requisite for the Level 2 course and contains information needed for your Level 2 Course.

The ASI Level 3 SUP Instructor (Beginner Surf) qualification is to instructor SUP surfing in small waves of ½ ft.    

In summary: 

• Can SUP surf at the intermediate level (perform bottom and top turn and cutback, linking manoeuvres in 4ft surf)

• ASI Level 3 SUP Instructor (Beginner Surf) certificate

• ASI SUP Wise Intermediate Level SUP Surfing certificate   

• ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) certificate

• ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Waters) certificate

• ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate

• ASI SUP Rescue or a Surf Rescue certificate

• First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience  working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school in enclosed flat waters and 10 hours at exposed waters.  Or 20 hours in exposed waters.  Plus 25 hours assisting in instructing beginner SUP surfing sessions

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

 Read detailed course requirements..

SUP Yoga:

In summary: 

• Can perform SUP Yoga poses (at least 10 hours personal experience)

• Can paddle at the ASI basic skills level – minimum 20 hours paddling

• Hold Yoga Teacher certificate 200 hours

• Complete the ASI SUP Yoga Teacher course

• Hold a First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience  working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

Read detailed course requirements..

SUP Pilates:

In summary: 

• Can perform SUP pilates exercises (at least 10 hours personal experience)

• Can paddle at the ASI basic skills level – minimum 20 hours paddling

• Hold hold a Pilates Level 3 Teaching Certificate or equivalent

• Complete the ASI SUP Pilates Instructor course

• Hold a First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

Read details course requirements..

SUP Fitness :

In summary: 

• Can perform SUP fitness exercises (at least 10 hours personal experience)

• Can paddle at the ASI basic skills level – minimum 20 hours paddling

• 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. 

• Complete the ASI SUP Fitness Instructor course

• Hold a First Aid certificate

• Complete 10 hours practical experience working with real life students at an ASI or approved SUP school.

• Working with children check (state / or country based – as applicable) 

Read detailed course requirements..

A range of delivery options are available for select courses.

Workshop: 

• Face to face training with highly qualified ASI Trainers, the best in the industry.
  Complete most of your course requirements at the workshops

• Held in great locations throughout the world

Online Learning:

• Work at your own pace.

• Using ASI's e-learning platform with access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments.

Transfer:

• Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification.

• This is an online course option. 

Update:

• For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification.

• This is an online course option.

16 years of age.   
However instructors under the age of 18 years old, cannot teach unsupervised unless they have an adult (18 years and over) accredited instructor supervising nearby.  
Accredited Instructors under 18 years of age, are still counted for student to instructor ratios.

(1) Where can I do my practical hours?

• Complete your practical hours at an ASI SUP school.

• You can also organise to do your practical hours with the Trainer.  You will need to contact the trainer and ask if they have availability. The trainer details are listed on the actual training event/workshop page on the ASI website. 

• You can find an ASI accredited SUP school on the ASI website - Find Schools

• You can do your practical hours with a non ASI SUP school you plan to work for.   Please send us the name of the school, location and website and we can check their suitability.  

• RPL of your practical hours can apply. If you are deemed competent at the workshop, have prior extensive experience delivering outdoor water activities and hold another outdoor watersports qualification (eg canoeing, windsailing, SUP, kitesurfing, bodyboarding). 
  

(2) There is no ASI School near me to complete practical hours /  There is no SUP school near me that can offer me practical hours. 
We can discuss how you can complete your practical hours based on your experience and ability. 
Where an ASI school is not near you, a variety of options is available including completing hours at a non ASI school and / or if you are an experienced outdoors recreation instructor in another watersport, you may be able to complete your own hours and provide video assessment of delivery.   The Trainer will prepare a simple plan and be your mentor.

You have 12 months from the date of the workshop, or the enrolment date for flexible online courses, to complete all the course requirements. At that time, your enrolment will cancel. 
You should easily be able to complete the requirements within this time. 
Remember to factor in time to complete your practical hours training and seasonality. 

You can submit video for re-assessment. 
See individual course requirements for information about reassessment
A re-assessment fee applies.   See fees.
You have 12 months to complete all course requirements

(1) Do I need to hold a first aid certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No.  You have 12 months after the workshop date to provide it to ASI. Your instructor certificate will not be issued until we receive your first aid certificate.

(2)  What is a “current’ first aid certificate?
The certificate date must not be expired. 
Certificates that are more than 3 years old are not accepted (even if the expiry date is longer).  

(3) What First Aid Certificates does ASI accept?
ASI has listed some certificates that are acceptable.  click here

(4) What Topics Must be covered in the First Aid Certificate?
ASI has listed the minimum topics required at  click here

(5) I completed first aid in my surf rescue course.  Is that acceptable to ASI?

In some countries, the Surf Lifesaving and Lifeguard qualifications includes senior first aid training.  These combined Surf Rescue and First Aid Certificates are acceptable.  
e.g UK, Spain, Portugal, Bali, USA.

In Australia, the Surf Lifesaving Bronze only includes basic first aid.  A separate senior first aid certificate must be completed.  
In other countries, senior first aid training is generally separate to the surf rescue training. 

(6) I am a paramedic or nurse. Do you I have to provide a first aid certificate?
No.  But you must provide evidence / certificate / letter from the hospital you work for that states you are current in first aid. 

(7) Do I need to update my First Aid certificates?
Yes.  You must keep these current at all times. 
Make sure the certificate has not expired or is no more than 3 years old from the date of training.

(1) What Rescue Certificate do I need to complete?
The ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Certificate is required for all new instructors.
However if you hold a surf lifesaving certificate, this will also be accepted
SUP Surf and Downwinding qualifications require a Surf Rescue certificate, as you are operating in surf conditions.

In summary, by qualification:

• Enclosed Flat Water SUP Instructor, Wellness Instructor:  Flat Water Rescue or Surf Rescue

• Exposed Waters SUP Instructor, Wellness Instructor:   Flat Water Rescue or Surf Rescue

• SUP Surfing Instructor:  Surf Rescue  

• SUP Downwind Instructor :  Surf Rescue   

ASI has listed some certificates and topics that are acceptable. click here

(2) Do I need to hold a rescue certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No.  You have 12 months after the workshop date to provide it to ASI.   Your instructor certificate will not be issued until we have received your rescue certificate.

(3) What is a “current’ rescue certificate?
It is a certificate that is not expired and no more than 24 months old from when it was completed/issued.
Or, no more than 12 months old in Australia for surf rescue certificates.

(4) My Rescue Certificate is valid for 5 years.  Will ASI accept this?
No.  ASI only accepts rescue certificates up to 24 months from date of the course / issue date.   (no more than 12 months in Australia for surf rescue certificates).

(5) Can you accept an outdoor recreation / instructor qualification that includes rescue skills?
Generally no. We need a copy of your actual Rescue certificate that shows the date it was completed/issued.
We can accept a transcript that shows when you completed the rescue training module. 
The course must cover the topics acceptable by ASI.  click here

(7) Can I provide a Swimming Pool Lifeguard certificate?
No. You must have an open water rescue certificate. 
It demonstrates experience completing rescues in an uncontrolled environment, using a rescue board.

(8) Do I need to update my Water Rescue certificates?
​Yes.  To keep your SUP Instructor qualification valid, you must keep your water rescue certificate "current" at all times.

Yes, if you are working with children. 
This only applies to the country you are working in.  Not every country has working with child check requirements. See info....  

(1) Do I have to renew my instructor certification?
Yes.   Your SUP Instructor accreditation certificate expires at least 12 months from the date of the training - to the nearest renewal date for the region.   

• Australia, Asia - 31 December

• UK, Europe, Middle East, USA, America's - 30 June  

In your first year, you may be given more than 12 months to renew (but you will receive at least a minimum of 12 months).
See: Renewal Requirements

(2) Why do I have to renew each year? 

You are a professional and this demonstrates you are keeping your skills and knowledge updated. 
You don’t need to attend another course.  Complete the online renewal form and submit relevant evidence.  

Obtain your ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor certificate based on recognition of your non ASI instructor certificate.  (non ASI certificate to be current, not expired)

 Transfers are not available for Level 2 SUP instructor exposed waters.  There are some exceptions, please contact ASI to find out more.

(1) Can I work in other countries with ASI qualifications?
Yes, ASI has been operating since 2003 and is the world leader in education and training accreditation in the surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding sections of the outdoor recreation industry.

(2) I did my ASI training in the UK (or another country) and I want to work in Australia.  Do I have to pay any extra fees to be recognised?
No.  You do not pay any extra once you have your ASI qualifications.   There may be additional country certificate requirements    You may be required to apply for a state based working with children check.   The SUP school you are working for will advise you of the requirements.