Course Overview

You’ll be able to: plan and conduct stand up paddle tours of full day duration (up to 8 hours)

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:

• guide safe, structured stand up paddling tours

• manage groups in the water

• plan tour logistics

With your ASI SUP tour guide 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 and tour guide

• 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 essential skills for SUP tour guiding at inland enclosed flat water locations, including:

Laws & regulations: that apply to conducting SUP tours

Risk management & safety: ASI guidelines, identify and assess risks, strategies to manage risk, conducting location and dynamic risk assessments, emergency response, student risks

Logistics planning: suitable locations/routes, forecasts weather and water conditions, navigation and aids, equipment, support and backup

Equipment: suitable SUP touring boards, other SUP touring equipment and clothing

Group management: communication, positioning and client supervision, differing ability levels

Tour itineraries: creating tour itineraries and touring plans

Professional standards: duty of care, tour guide responsibilities

To enrol, you must meet:

Minimum age: 18 years

SUP touring experience: able to paddle 15kms (approx. 10miles) each day and in between breaks.

Certificates:
Hold ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) certificate

Note: Equivalent Non-ASI certificates may be accepted with some additional course work (see FAQs)

Before you can be certified, you’ll need to complete the below:

(1) Project: Planning SUP Tours

Submit a written project that demonstrates ability: to plan an all day SUP tour (minimum 6 hours)

(2) Practical: Conduct SUP tour

Conduct the tour with one other person as your student. Prepare a video dossier on conducting your tour.

(3) 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) or equivalent

Time to complete: 12 months

Workshop: Ideal for people who like to gain experience at the workshop and interact with the trainer.

• Face to face (in-person) training

• Duration: 1 day

• Submit post workshop projects

ASI SUP Tour Guide (Enclosed Flat Water) Training Manual.
ASI membership for 12 months.

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

• flat water board or touring board

• paddle

• coiled leash

• clothing suitable for SUP touring

ASI Level 1 Stand Up Paddle Tour Guide (Enclosed Flat Water) Certificate

Valid for 12 months

Each year, ASI SUP Instructors renew their ASI SUP Instructor certificate.

More about renewal requirements

You can continue your SUP coaching development with:

• ASI SUP Technical Coach (Enclosed Flat Water)

• ASI SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) – Coastal

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

• Blue Health Skills for Watersports Instructors

• ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue course

• ASI Surf Water Safety Rescue course

• Leader in SUP skills training

• 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

(1) Can I enrol in the SUP Tour Guide course without having completed the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) certificate?

No. You must hold the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor certificate – it is a pre-requisite.

(2) If I hold an non-ASI instructor certificate, what extra work do I need to do?

You would also enrol in the online ASI Level 1 SUP instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) course at special transfer rates.

You can do this at the same time as enrolling in the SUP Tour Guide course.

Some ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor course requirements are waived. You only need to read / view videos in the course manual, submit paddling stroke video that meets ASI paddle stroke criteria and complete online tests. This ensures you have the relevant information for the ASI SUP Touring course.

More FAQ’s: click here