Course Overview

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

At:

• coastal beaches and bays

• large harbours open to the ocean and subject to swell

• uneven surface, swell (unbroken wave) size up to 2ft

• 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 coastal exposed waters, including:

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

To enrol, you must meet:

• Minimum age: 16 years

• SUP experience: 100+ hours of paddling in coastal exposed waters

• SUP knowledge and skills: able to paddle with confidence, correct technique and safety in swell (unbroken waves) of 2ft and wind speed 15 knots - equivalent to ASI SUP Wise Exposed Waters

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

• Certficates:
  Hold ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) certificate: This is a required prerequisite, but it can be completed at the same time as your Level 2 SUP Instructor training. 

Note: for SUP Wise Exposed Waters, 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 in coastal exposed waters with swell of 2ft.  

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 test:
Complete multi-choice online tests.

(3) Practical: Hours Experience:
Complete 10 practical hours experience. 
Assisting in the delivery of SUP lessons in coastal exposed waters, 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:

• A current ASI SUP water rescue or a surf rescue certificate Acceptable Rescue certificates

• A current senior first aid certificate Acceptable First Aid certificates

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

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: 1 day

Course Requirements:

• Paddle stroke assessment – completed at workshop

• 1km paddle test – completed at workshop

• Online test

• 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

• Online study - work at your own pace

• Duration: In person workshop – half day

• Submit video of some practical assessments

Course Requirements:

• Paddle stroke assessment – post workshop submit video

• 1km paddle test – completed at workshop

• Online test

• 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

• 2 free video assessments

Course Requirements:

• Paddle stroke assessment – submit video

• 1km paddle test – submit video

• Online test

• 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 test

• Practical hours experience: not required

• Submit current rescue and first aid certificates

• 1 free video assessment

All study options receive:

• Access to Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) 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 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters)

• 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 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Exposed Waters) Certificate
Valid for 12 months

ASI also issues education department approved training certificates. (excludes update course option).

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 IV in Outdoor Leadership SIS40621 
for units of competency:
SISOSUP006 - Lead stand up paddle boarding activities in sheltered coastal waters.
SISOSUP003 - Paddle a stand up board in sheltered coastal waters.
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 certificates.   
More about renewal requirements

You can continue your SUP coaching development with:

• ASI SUP Technical Coach (Enclosed Flat Water)

• Blue Health Skills for Watersports Instructors

• ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue course

• ASI Surf Water Safety Rescue course

• Level 3 SUP Instructor (Beginner Surf)

• SUP Fitness Instructor, SUP Yoga Teacher, and SUP Pilates Instructor

• 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 enrol directly in the Level 2 standalone course if you already hold Level 1 credentials, or bundle your foundational courses together in a single, discounted package.

Enrol in 4 course enrolment option

Enrol in 1 course enrolment option

Read more – SUP WISE Intensiv

Read more – SUP Water Safety Rescue Award

Q: I only operate in flat waters at ocean locations (such as calm bays or protected lagoons). Do I still need to have a Level 2 qualification?

A: Yes. Any operation located at coastal or ocean locations—even in calm or flat conditions—falls under the Level 2 remit due to potential exposure to tides, coastal winds, and changing ocean conditions. Level 1 only applies to enclosed inland flatwater

Q: Is Level 2 focused on in-depth stroke mechanics and video analysis?

A: No, Level 2 focuses primarily on safety, location management, stroke variations, and adapting flatwater stroke and balance techniques to uneven coastal water. For instructors wanting to specialize in detailed technical analysis and performance coaching, ASI offers the dedicated SUP Technical Coach course.

Q: Can I enrol in Level 2 if I am not yet a Level 1 SUP Instructor?

A: Yes! You can choose the 4 Course Option (Complete Pathway) when enrolling, which combines Level 1, Level 2, SUP Wise Intensiv, and Water Safety Rescue into a single enrolment.

Q: I hold a non-ASI SUP Instructor certificate, can I get recognition or transfer to ASI Level 2 SUP instructor?

A. No. Transfers are not available for Level 2 SUP Instructor Exposed Waters. There are some exceptions, so please contact ASI for more information.

Q: How long do I have to complete all course assessments?

A: You have up to 12 months from your enrolment date to complete all theory exams, video/practical assessments, and supervised coaching hours.

More SUP Instructor Course FAQ’s: click here