How to Become an ASI Level 2 Coastal SUP Instructor
Take your SUP coaching career to coastal locations. Earning your ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) Certification qualifies you to teach and guide in exposed water environments, open ocean bays, and large harbors subject to swell.
This guide outlines everything required to earn your Level 2 qualification—including location remits, prerequisites, combined enrolment options, flexible study formats, and career pathways.
What Is the Level 2 ASI SUP Instructor Qualification?
The Level 2 ASI SUP Instructor Certification expands your coaching remit beyond enclosed flatwater, qualifying you to safely conduct lessons, guide tours, and manage rentals in exposed water environments. It focuses on adapting your existing flatwater skills to dynamic coastal conditions, covering:
Coastal Environment & Safety: Managing client safety in ocean swell (unbroken waves up to 2ft), shore break, coastal winds, and harbour conditions within 250 meters of shore.
Exposed Water Paddling & Balance Techniques: Adapting standard enclosed flatwater paddling and stance techniques to maintain stability in uneven water, chop, and ocean swell.
More Advanced Coaching: Applying different stroke variations and body positioning tailored for more challenging conditions.
Exposed Water Group Management: Group positioning, hazard identification, risk management, emergency response protocols, and coastal navigation.
This qualification is ideal for instructors working at coastal SUP schools, resorts, and beachside outdoor centers.
Which Enrolment Option Is Right for You?
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.
Why Choose a Combined Enrolment Package?
Complete Your Pathway in One Go: Fast-track your qualification from beginner or Level 1 instructor all the way to Level 2 ocean certified instructor.
Save Money: Access bundled package discounts compared to registering for individual courses separately.
Streamlined Administration: One registration gives you access to all course manuals and submission portals with a full 12-month completion window.
1. Mandatory Prerequisite: Level 1 SUP Instructor & SUP Wise Intensiv
To hold the Level 2 SUP Instructor certificate, you must already hold (or complete concurrently) the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) qualification and the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv credential.
Already a Level 1 Instructor? Select the Standalone Level 2 SUP Instructor course.
Need Level 1 or SUP Wise Intensiv? Choose the 3 Course or 4 Course Option when enrolling to complete all requirements in one streamlined process.
2. Mandatory Safety & Rescue Credentials
All Level 2 instructors must hold valid rescue and first aid qualifications for coastal environments:
First Aid Certificate: Senior First Aid / CPR certificate (no more than 3 years old).
Water Safety Rescue Certificate: Valid ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue or Surf Rescue qualification.
Enrolment Tip: New to ASI instructor pathways? Select the 4 Course Option when enrolling to bundle Level 2 SUP Instructor + Level 1 SUP Instructor + SUP Wise Intensiv + ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue in one simple step!
How to Complete Your Level 2 Certification
Earning your Level 2 certification involves theory modules, physical paddling fitness tests, practical technique assessments, and supervised coaching hours. You have up to 12 months to complete all steps:
Choose Your Learning Format:
In-Person Workshop (1 Day): Interactive face-to-face workshop with an ASI Trainer. Includes paddle stroke assessment in uneven water/swell, 1km paddle test, and 2 supervised coaching hours signed off during the workshop.
Fasttrack (Half Day): Combines self-paced online study with a half-day practical workshop. Includes 1km paddle test and 1 supervised coaching hour signed off during the workshop.
Online Learning: Study theory self-paced online, submit video recordings for paddle stroke/balancing technique and 1km paddling tests, and complete all supervised coaching hours independently.
Pass Physical & Technical Assessments:
1km Mission Test: Complete a 1km (0.6 mile) paddle in exposed waters in under 10 minutes.
Uneven Water Paddling Assessment: Demonstrate correct stance, balance adaptations, stroke variations, and foundation stroke technique in swell/chop at a cadence of at least 40 strokes per minute.
Online Theory Exam: Complete multi-choice online assessments on coastal safety, lesson planning, and group logistics.
Complete 10 Supervised Coaching Hours: Log supervised coaching and tour guiding hours in coastal exposed water environments at an ASI accredited school or approved coastal operator. (Workshop attendance credits 1 to 2 hours toward your total).
Submit Safety Qualifications & Receive Accreditation: Upload your First Aid, Rescue, and prerequisite certificates to claim your official Level 2 SUP Instructor credential.
Who Should Take This Course?
Level 1 SUP Instructors looking to expand their teaching remit to ocean beaches, bays, and coastal locations with small swell and uneven water.
Coastal outdoor educators and water sports guides leading tours and lessons in exposed marine waters.
Resort and hire center staff operating stand-up paddleboarding programs along ocean shorelines.
Experienced coastal SUP paddlers seeking a recognized professional coaching credential.
Entry Requirements & Prerequisites Checklist
To qualify for the ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor training, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Minimum Age: 16 years old.
Coastal SUP Experience: 100+ logged hours of paddleboarding in coastal exposed water environments.
Paddling & Balance Skills: Ability to adapt flatwater paddling techniques to maintain stability in ocean swell up to 2ft, uneven chop, and winds up to 15 knots (equivalent to ASI SUP Wise Exposed Waters level).
Fitness Level: Ability to complete a 1km paddle in under 10 minutes and maintain a minimum stroke rate of 40 strokes per minute.
Required Certifications:
ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor Qualification (Hold existing cert or bundle in 4 Course Option)
ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (Hold existing cert or bundle in 3/4 Course Option)
ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue or Surf Rescue Award (Hold existing cert or bundle in 3/4 Course Option)
Current Senior First Aid Certificate
Career Opportunities: Where Can You Work?
As a certified ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor, you can work worldwide at coastal locations including:
Coastal SUP schools, beach centres, and ocean adventure operators.
Island resorts, cruise destinations, and coastal holiday parks.
Coastal SUP tour companies leading open water excursions and harbour eco-tours.
Operating Remit: Coastal ocean beaches and bays, large harbours open to ocean swell (unbroken waves up to 2ft, shore break under 1.5ft), up to 250 meters from shore, and wind conditions up to 12 knots.
Progression Pathways & Further Training
Expand your teaching capabilities with other specialized ASI credentials:
ASI SUP Technical Coach (Enclosed Flat Water): For instructors wanting to focus on in-depth video analysis, advanced stroke efficiency, and performance coaching.
ASI Level 3 SUP Instructor (Downwind): Teach paddling techniques in open ocean downwind conditions.
ASI Level 3 SUP Instructor (Beginner Surf): Teach SUP surfing in small wave environments.
ASI SUP Tour Guide (Exposed Waters Coastal): Specialized training for leading coastal tours and expeditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What certification do I need to teach SUP in the ocean or coastal waters?
A. To teach, guide, or run stand-up paddleboarding programs in ocean environments, coastal beaches, or open bays subject to swell, you need the ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) Certification. Level 1 only covers enclosed inland flatwater environments like lakes, rivers, or non-coastal waterways.
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 environments (such as inland lakes, rivers, or non-coastal waterways).
Q. What is the main difference between Level 1 and Level 2 SUP Instructor qualifications?
A. Level 1 qualifies you to teach in enclosed flatwater environments (inland lakes, rivers, flat bays without swell). Level 2 builds on those flatwater foundations, qualifying you to adapt techniques for balance and control in uneven water, ocean swell (up to 2ft), chop, and exposed coastal conditions.
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. What are the physical fitness tests for Level 2?
A. You must complete a 1km paddle mission test in coastal exposed water in under 10 minutes, and demonstrate proper stroke technique and balance in uneven water at a cadence of at least 40 strokes per minute.
Q. How many supervised coaching hours are required?
A. You must log 10 supervised coaching hours in coastal exposed water conditions. Attending a 1-day workshop credits 2 hours toward this requirement, a Fasttrack workshop credits 1 hour, and online students complete all 10 hours in the field.
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.
Ready to Take Your SUP Coaching to the Ocean?
View Level 2 SUP Instructor Course Requirements and Study Options
