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How to Become an ASI Stand Up Paddle Instructor

It’s the best job in the world!   Combine your love of stand up paddling with a career.   Follow the seasons and work around the world. 

An ASI  stand up paddle instructor is part of the ASI worldwide community.  Your qualification is international.   You get to work with great people in amazing locations. 

ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)
Remit 

This is the entry level course for SUP instructors. Deliver basic SUP lessons, short SUP paddle tours and SUP rentals in enclosed flat water locations.

Pre-requisites Skill

First you should have: 
  • at least 100 hours on water paddling 
  • able to paddle with confidence and correct techniques 

Course Requirements 

The ASI L1 SUP Instructor qualification contains the following components:
 
  1. Complete ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water)
  2. Complete ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award 
  3. Complete ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)
  4. Submit a First Aid certificate
  5. Complete 10 hours practical experience at a SUP School

Working with children check is required in some countries.  Read more…
Note:  You can hold a surf lifesaving certificate instead of SUP Water Rescue.

Information 

(1) SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water)
Underpinning skills and knowledge to become an ASI SUP Instructor.
Online manual with extensive information and technique videos - to get you understanding and paddling to the ASI criteria.  

  • Online:  read manuals and submit paddling skills video, received detailed feedback. (approx 12 hours)
  • Workshop:  read online manual, attend 3 hour session, with guidance from the trainer.   After workshop, submit paddling skills video for written feedback.

Course information and requirements.. Click here
 

(2)  Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water)

ASI SUP Instructor course focusses on instruction and guiding clients, safety, identify and managing risks, logistics, equipment, planning, managing groups, sessions plans and instruction techniques, rentals.  (This course assumes you have knowledge of ASI SUP paddling guidelines and terminology as covered in SUP Wise Intensiv course).  
Course requirements: Demonstrate lesson delivery, correct paddling stroke skills, paddle 1km within 10 mins, complete on the job experience signed off by ASI school or other approved person.  

  • Workshop. 2 days, plus 2 hours online quiz, plus 10 hours job experience.  Paper manual provided.
  • Online:  20 hours reading and quiz, plus time to take video plus 10 hours job experience. Online manual provided for 12 months.

Course information and requirements.... Click here


(3)  ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award
SUP specific rescue skills, using the SUP board. how to rescue your clients if an unexpected incident occurred.
Course requirements: Demonstrate rescues, fitness mission test, multichoice test. Submit senior first aid certificate. 
Workshop:  4 hours. All practical assessments and quiz. Paper manual provided. 
Online:  3 hours plus online quiz, plus time to take own video of rescue and fitness mission. Online manual provided 12 months
Course information and requirements... Click here 

Note: Surf lifeguard certificates are acceptable in place of the ASI SUP Rescue course.
See acceptable surf lifeguard certificates..... Click here

Senior First Aid Certificate 

First Aid certificates that are acceptable  click here

First Aid at Work or Online first aid certificates are not acceptable. 
In Australia, the certificate must be from a Registered Training Organisation and be the course code HLTAID011 or HLTAID003.  These are valid for 3 years.    
First Aid certificate must not be expired and no more than 3 years old from date of issue.
 
Practical Hours Experience  
Are completed at ASI Accredited SUP schools  Find schools
Other SUP schools may be acceptable  (contact ASI for approval) 
We can also assist finding a SUPschool, if required. 

Practical hours are completed only after you have passed all course requirements. 

 

Are you Teaching in Exposed Waters?   
ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) 
The ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor  qualification is for teaching in ocean locations with conditions that may have swell and bumpy water but no breaking waves.   It is also large inland bodies of water greater than 1km (0.6miles) wide.
If you are an experienced paddler in exposed waters, you can enrol in the Level 2 course at the same time as the Level 1 course.  It means you can complete your practical assessments at the same time. 
Course requirements: Demonstrate lesson delivery, correct paddling stroke skills, paddle 1km within 10 mins, complete on the job experience signed off by ASI school or other approved person.  
Workshop:  1 day workshop, plus 2 hours online quiz, plus 10 hours job experience. Paper manual provided.
Online:  10 hours reading and quiz, plus time to take video plus 10 hours job experience.  Online manual provided.
Course information and requirements....Click here 

How do I enrol ?

You can enrol in individual courses or combined (multiple) courses at the same time. 
And you can choose a combination of online and workshops.  

eg. for Combined courses, choose 
(Workshop) Combined SUP Instructor L1 & SUP Rescue
(Online) Combined SUP Instructor L1 & SUP Rescue & SUP Wise
Enrol at... 

Workshops 
You can enrol in all courses at the same time
eg.
SUP Wise Intensiv workshop
SUP Rescue & Level 1 SUP Instructor workshop


Online courses 
You can enrol in all online courses at the same time
You will get access to all courses online.   
Complete the SUP Wise Intensiv first before starting L1 SUP instructor course.  To gain the required pre-requisite knowledge. 
By doing all courses at the same time you can save time by taking all required video at the same time. 

Other

Time to Complete

You have 12 months from date of enrolment or workshop date to complete all course requirements. 

About the ASI E-learning Platform 

The ASI e-learning platform, is an easy to use and comprehensive.  You can access training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments. 

FAQ's
Do you have more questions - Click here 

Career Pathways

ASI offers career pathways within each discipline from Level 1 SUP Instructor to technical coach, plus specialised skills courses to keep your skills up to date.
Each 3 years, ASI SUP instructors attend a half day SUP Instructor Professional Skills Update course. 

Professional 

ASI Instructors are true professionals and are trained to the highest standard in the world.

  • They take pride in delivering lessons to the highest of safety and training methodologies.
  • Have demonstrated personal stand up paddle skills ability. 
  • Hold current rescue and first aid qualifications.  (and working with children checks as applicable to your country)
  • Care for the environment and seek to minimise social and natural impact on shore and on the water
  • Undertake annual renewal to ensure ASI instructor skills and knowledge are up-to-date and current.

When you have lessons, tours or private coaching with an ASI SUP Instructor, you know you are in good hands.