Course Overview
SUP Pilates Instructor
enrol optionsThe ASI SUP Pilates Instructor Course empowers you to deliver an innovative and exciting fitness experience by blending the art of stand-up paddleboarding with Pilates exercises.
You'll learn to deliver safe, effective sessions that improve clients' balance, strength, and flexibility, while enjoying the natural and calming environment of the water. Additionally, the course includes some training in SUP rescue and paddling techniques, complemented by comprehensive reference manuals to support your learning.
Special fees apply if you are already an ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor.
With internationally recognised certification, you can expand your career opportunities and meet the growing demand for watersports health activities, turning your passion into a rewarding profession.
What This Course Qualifies You To Do
You’ll be able to teach : pilates on a SUP board
In the following conditions:
inland waters or coastal locations
flat water, no swell/non breaking waves or breaking waves
in standing depth water only (less than 4ft)
no more than 50 metres from shore
the SUP pilates activity area must be under 50 metres paddling distance.
After completing the course, you can:
Run safe, structured SUP pilates sessions
Manage groups in the water
Assess SUP pilates technique, to help your clients enjoy the session
Note:
If you plan to paddle more than 50 metres or run sessions in deep water, it is recommended, for safety reasons, that you hold ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor certification, which can be completed later.
Where Can You Work?
With your ASI qualification, you can work as a SUP Pilates Instructor:
At SUP schools around the world
At wellness retreats and holiday resorts
For pilates studios & gyms
For local government (or similar) health programs and activities
As a freelance SUP Pilates instructor
At your own SUP Pilates school. Apply to become an ASI Accredited SUP School, allowing you to operate your own professional SUP pilates school business under ASI’s global standards.
ASI qualifications are internationally recognised, giving you the freedom to work and travel.
What You’ll Learn
This course covers all essential skills for teaching SUP pilates sessions, including:
Laws & regulations: that apply to conducting SUP pilates session
Risk Management & safety: ASI guidelines, identify and assess risks, strategies to minimise risk, conducting location and dynamic risk assessments, emergency response
Environment: social & natural environmental impacts and minimisation strategies
Logistics planning: locations, equipment (SUP pilates boards, anchoring systems, accessories), back up, student types
Session planning: structuring SUP pilates sessions, creating session plans, ASI SUP pilates session plans and sequences set up and ready to use in own classes
Group management: communication, positioning and client supervision
Delivering sessions: a library of beginner to advanced levels pilates exercises modified for SUP
Client assessment: common mistakes, feedback, correcting technique
Professional standards: duty of care, codes of conduct, evaluating your own performance as a SUP Pilates Instructor, industry expectations
SUP technical skills: for the SUP Pilates instructor– an introduction to basic stand up paddle techniques and board control
Business skills: gaining and maintaining clients – SUP pilates marketing and business skills
Entry Requirements
To enrol, you must meet:
Minimum age: 18 years
Stand up paddling experience: 20+ hours of paddling. Able to paddle a board with confidence.
SUP pilates experience: 10+ hours (in class or self-guided)
Pilates instructing experience: hold a Level 3 Pilates Instructor Certificate or equivalent.
Course Requirements
Before you can be certified, you’ll need to complete the below:
Personal SUP pilates ability:
Demonstrate ability to perform a range of SUP pilates exercises with safety
Knowledge:
Complete multi-choice online test for:
SUP Pilates Instructor
SUP Rescue
SUP Wise Intensiv (basic SUP paddling)
Skills:
Prepare class: demonstrate ability to prepare the class - enter the water, anchoring, organise group ready to start the session.
Conduct class: Demonstrate ability to conduct SUP pilates class with correct sequencing, techniques and safety.
Practical:
Complete 10 hours practical work experience, assisting in the delivery of SUP pilates sessions, at an ASI accredited SUP school or other approved SUP school. Submit logbook of hours/experience.
Note: Alternative practical hours experience can be conducted if no ASI school nearby to you.
Recognition of previous SUP pilates instructor experience can be accepted.
Contact ASI for more information.
Submit Required Certificates:
A current senior first aid certificate Acceptable First Aid certificates
Level 3 Pilates Instructor Certificate or equivalent
Time to complete : 12 months
Study Options
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
Complete most course requirements at the workshop
2 free video assessments (if not competent at workshop)
5 hours practical experience signed off in workshop
Some course requirements waived (see below)
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
Video submission: pilates exercises, prepare class, conduct class
2 free video assessments
Some course requirements waived (see below)
Note: Some course requirements waived – no requirement to do online test for:
SUP Rescue - if you hold a current ASI SUP rescue certificate
SUP Wise Intensiv -if you previously completed this course
What is Included
All study options receive online access to:
SUP Pilates Instructor manual & assessments
Downloadable instructor logbook (for practical hours)
SUP Water Safety Rescue manual
SUP Wise Intensiv (SUP skills) manual
In addition: at the workshop, you also receive a paper copy of:
SUP Pilates Instructor manual
Instructor logbook (for practical hours)
SUP Water Safety Rescue manual
Plus: ASI membership for 12 months.
ASI’s E-learning Platform
Provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments, includes built-in language translation.
What Equipment You Need
The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:
SUP Pilates board or flat water SUP board, paddle, coiled leash
SUP clothing suitable for SUP Pilates
In addition:
Computer or device to access ASI e-learning platform
For online learning study option:
Video camera or mobile phone to take video of skills/practical
2 x persons to be your clients
Anchoring system
Certificate Issued
ASI SUP Pilates Instructor certificate
Valid for 12 months
Renewal
Each year, Instructors renew their ASI SUP Pilates Instructor certificate.
More about renewal requirements
Progression Pathways
You can continue your SUP coaching development with:
Attending ASI Air Retreats (conference)
Why Choose ASI
Globally recognised SUP teaching and coaching qualifications
Industry‑leading safety and coaching standards
Flexible online and in‑person training
Clear career progression
Trusted by SUP schools, gyms, wellness centres, resorts worldwide
FAQ's
(1) Assessment Fees: If you use up your free assessments, additional resubmissions are available for a small fee. Fees
MORE FAQ’s: click here
