Course Overview

Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

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Become a certified Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Instructor qualified to teach and guide paddlers at inland / enclosed flat‑water environments.  This internationally recognised ASI qualification is the essential first step for anyone wanting to work professionally in the SUP industry.

You’ll be able to: teach SUP lessons, guide short SUP tours, manage SUP rentals

At:

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

  • flat water with no swell/unbroken waves

  • no breaking waves

  • no more than 250 metres from shore

After completing the course, you can:

  • run safe, structured stand up paddling sessions

  • manage groups in the water

  • assess paddlers SUP ability and help them progress

Note:
If you are under 18 years old, an adult instructor must be close enough for direct supervision. You still count for making up student to instructor ratios.

With your ASI SUP Instructor qualification, you can work as a SUP instructor:

  • At SUP schools and outdoor centres

  • In tourism and adventure sport programs

  • At resorts, camps, and wellness retreats

  • As a freelance SUP coach

  • Running SUP fitness, SUP yoga, or guided paddles (with additional modules)

  • At your own SUP School.  Apply to become an ASI Accredited SUP School, allowing you to operate professionally under ASI’s global standards.

ASI qualifications are internationally recognised, giving you the freedom to work and travel.

This course covers all essential skills for teaching SUP on flat water, including:

Laws & regulations: that apply to conducting SUP lesson/tours

Risk management & safety: ASI guidelines that apply to instructors when supervising students, including identify and assess risks, strategies to minimise risk, conducting location and dynamic risk assessments, emergency response

Logistics planning: locations, equipment, back up, student types

Session planning: structuring paddling sessions, creating lesson plans, teaching progression, ASI SUP Wise programs, rentals

Group management: communication, positioning and client supervision

Technical skills: applying the ASI 5 phases of the paddling stroke criteria matrix to identify good and poor technique.  Video analysis and feedback of your own paddling technique conducted

Client assessment: identifying ability levels, common mistakes, correcting technique

Professional standards: duty of care, codes of conduct, and industry expectations

To enrol, you must meet:

Minimum age: 16 years

SUP experience: 100+ hours of paddling

SUP knowledge and skills: able to paddle with confidence, correct technique and safety equivalent to ASI SUP Wise Enclosed Flat Water level.

Paddle stroke ability: ASI foundation (moderate) level, 40 strokes /minute

Certificates:
Hold or completing ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate. ASI’s essential SUP safety and knowledge course. This is a required prerequisite, but it can be completed at the same time as your Level 1 SUP Instructor training

Note: for SUP Wise Enclosed Flat Water, you only need to state on enrolment form you have these knowledge & skills.

Before you can be certified, you’ll need to complete the below at inland enclosed flat waters.

See the Study Option section below to confirm the specific requirements that apply to you.

(1) Personal Paddling Ability: 

  • Demonstrate correct paddle stroke technique, at the ASI foundation level, minimum 40 strokes/min.

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

(2) Knowledge:  Online Tests
Complete multi-choice online tests.

(3) Practical: Hours Experience
Complete 10 practical hours experience. 
Assisting in the delivery of SUP lessons, at an ASI accredited SUP school or other approved SUP school.   Submit logbook of hours and declaration signed by SUP school owner.

(4) Submit Required Certificates:

Time to complete :  12 months

Workshop: Ideal for people who like to complete most of the course requirements at the workshop and interact with the trainer.

  • Face to face (in-person) training.

  • Duration: 2 days

Course Requirements:

  • Paddle stroke assessment – completed at workshop

  • 1km paddle test – completed at workshop

  • Online tests - completed after workshop

  • Practical hours experience: complete 8 hours (10 hours less 2 hours signed off in workshop)

  • Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

  • 2 free video assessments

Fasttrack: Ideal for people who want practical training but can’t attend a longer workshop.

  • Combines online study with a short in person workshop

  • Includes 3 courses – L1 SUP Instructor, SUP Wise Intensiv, ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award (additional course fees apply, choose combined enrolment option). Option of 2 courses if you already hold a rescue certificate.

  • Online-study - work at your own pace

  • Duration: In person workshop – 1 day

  • Submit video of some practical assessments

Course Requirements:

  • Paddle stroke assessment – post workshop submit video

  • 1km paddle test – completed at workshop

  • Online tests

  • Practical hours experience: complete 9 hours (10 hours less 1 hour signed off in workshop)

  • Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

  • 2 free video assessments

Online Learning: Ideal for people who would like flexibility to complete their training.

  • Work at your own pace

  • Face to face (in-person) practical hours experience required

  • Submit video of the practical assessments

Course Requirements:

  • Paddle stroke assessment – submit video

  • 1km paddle test – submit video

  • Online tests

  • Practical hours experience: complete 10 hours

  • Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

  • 2 free video assessments

Update Course: For instructors whose ASI certification has expired and need to regain the ASI certification.

  • Expired by no more than 4 years

  • Online course - work at your own pace

  • Submit video of some practical assessments

  • Welcome back with ASI’s discount fee!

Course Requirements:

  • Paddle stroke assessment – submit video

  • 1km paddle test – submit video

  • Online tests

  • Practical hours experience: not required

  • Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

  • Pre-requisite SUP Wise Intensiv – not required to complete again.

  • 1 free video assessment

Transfer Course: Obtain your ASI instructor certification by applying for recognition of your current non ASI instructor certificate.

  • Non ASI instructor certificate not expired by less than 12 months

  • Online course – work at your own pace

  • Submit video of the practical assessments

  • Retain your non ASI instructor certificate

  • Special fees apply if planning to work for an ASI Accredited School

Course Requirements:

  • Paddle stroke assessment – submit video

  • 1km paddle test – submit video

  • Online tests

  • Practical hours experience: not required

  • Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

  • 1 free video assessment

All study options receive:

  • Access to Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) online manual and assessments.

  • Downloadable logbook (for practical hours)

  • ASI membership for 12 months.

In addition at the workshop and fasttrack courses, you also receive a paper copy of:  

  • Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

  • Instructor logbook (for practical hours)

ASI’s E-learning Platform 
Provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments, includes built-in language translation.

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

  • Flat water SUP board, paddle, coiled leash

  • SUP clothing suitable for paddling

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

Plus: for online courses:

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

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

ASI also issues education department approved training certificates. (excludes transfer/update course options).

Australia Only
ASI is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and also issues the following certificate to students undertaking training in Australia.
Australian Department of Education. Registered Training Organisation RTO ID 91496
Statement of Attainment in Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (SIS30619) 
for units of competency:


SISOSUP004 Lead stand up paddle boarding activities on inland flatwater. 
SISOSUP001 Paddle a stand up board on inland flatwater.
SISOFLD002 Minimise environmental impact.

 

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

  • Globally recognised SUP coaching qualifications

  • Industry‑leading safety and coaching standards

  • Flexible online and in‑person training

  • Clear career progression

  • Trusted by SUP schools worldwide

READ: 10 Reasons to Become an ASI Instructor

Because ASI courses are modular, you can complete required foundational courses prior to your Level 1 training or bundle them together in one simple enrolment.

Enrol in 3 course enrolment option

Enrol in 2 course enrolment option

Enrol in 1 course enrolment option

Read more – SUP WISE Intensiv

Read more – SUP Water Safety Rescue Award

(1) Can I enrol in the Level 1 Instructor course if I haven't done SUP Wise Intensiv or Water Safety Rescue?

Yes! Both are required prerequisites, but you can take them concurrently. Choose the 2 Course Option (if you already have rescue training) or the 3 Course Option when enrolling to complete all required credentials together.

(2) What are the main benefits of choosing a combined 2 course or 3 course package?

Bundling your courses fast-tracks your qualification by letting you study required safety theory simultaneously, and simplifies administrative setup into one single 12-month completion portal.

(3) What if I already have a Surf Life Saving Rescue certificate?

If you hold a recognized Surf Life Saving or equivalent water rescue qualification, you only need to choose the 2 Course Option when enrolling (Level 1 SUP Instructor + SUP Wise Intensiv).

(4) Do I have to enrol in the SUP Wise Intensiv course if I am an experienced paddler?

Yes.

Starting the path to becoming a SUP instructor requires a solid foundation. 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.

(5) Is the online study option completely digital?

While theory and video assessments are completed online, earning your Level 1 SUP Instructor qualification requires completing 10 supervised coaching hours at an ASI accredited school, under an ASI instructor, or other approved supervisor before full certification is awarded.

(6) How long do I have to complete the certification?

You have up to 12 months from your enrolment date to complete all theory modules, practical assessments, and required supervised coaching hours.

(7) More SUP Instructor Course FAQ’s: click here

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