SUP Instructor Courses FAQs
Do you have any questions in relation to completing your ASI Stand Up Paddle instructor training? See below.
Why Choose ASI?
ASI is the market leader in SUP education. We created the worldwide SUP Standards in 2008, long before any other organisation.
ASI offers the largest range of SUP training and instructor programs in the marketplace, with a choice of SUP disciplines and career progression.
ASI is a dedicated professional membership and training organisation and we are continually re-investing money into research and development of SUP education and operational standards.
Only by education, will the industry continue to grow.
ASI is proud to support the industry by providing structured skills training and programs to encourage participation, support for instructors and schools and opportunities to develop a sustainable career in the industry.
How to Become an ASI SUP Instructor
Find out what need to do to become an ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor, and how to enrol.
Study Options
ASI offers the following delivery options for ASI SUP instructors. A course will offer all, or some, of these options only
Workshop
Gain your ASI instructor qualifications by attending ASI workshops.
These intensive learning workshops combine theory learning in the classroom with practical skills at/on the water.
Water time is maximised to ensure you gain practice with delivery and technical skills.
ASI workshops are delivered by the world’s best Trainers. They have been hand picked based on their current experience instructing, technical ability and experience operating schools. They have a wealth of information and tips.
ASI workshops are held in great locations throughout the world. Why not combine your ASI workshop training with a holiday? It’s a great way to see new locations and have fun.
Online Learning
Work at your own pace. Utilising the ASI's e-learning platform with access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments.
Ideal for students who require flexibility in completing their qualification.
You should be working with an ASI school or other approved school under the guidance of a qualified instructor or trainer. They will be your mentor and can answer any questions in relation to the training.
You have 12 months to complete course requirements.
Transfer
Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification.
This is an online course option.
Update
For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired and need to regain the ASI qualification.
This is an online course option.
Pre-requisites to Enrol in the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor course
(1) What are the pre-requisites?
At a minimum, you must have completed the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv course.
It is the first step in becoming an ASI SUP Instructor. It is a requirement that ASI SUP instructors are competent paddlers before enrolling in the SUP Instructor courses. And this course covers theory and technical skills, ASI terminology required for SUP Instructors.
(2) Can I attend Level 2 without completing Level 1?
No. You need to do the level 1 course first. Level 1 is a pre-requisite for the the Level 2 (as it contains essential knowledge and skills).
(3) SUP Yoga Instructor. I have not yet completed my Yoga Teachers certificate 200 hours certificate. Can I enrol?
No. You must have completed your Yoga Teacher training before enrolling in the ASI SUP Yoga Instructor workshop.
(4) SUP Fitness Instructor. I have not yet completed my Personal Trainer or Fitness Certificate. Can I enrol?
No. You must have completed your Personal Trainer or Fitness training before enrolling in the ASI SUP Fitness Instructor workshops.
Minimum Stand Up Paddle Ability Requirements
ASI SUP Instructors must be able to paddle with confidence, correct paddle technique and a minimum cadence (paddle stroke rate) before enrolling into ASI SUP Instructor courses.
(1) Why do I need to have correct paddle technique?
Minimise Injury: Using correct paddle technique minimises strain and injury to your muscles, joints and back. ASI SUP Instructors do a lot of paddling, so it is important to keep yourself injury free.
For Safety Reasons: If you are managing a group of students, you need to have the skills to quickly paddle to someone if they are in trouble, or break away from the group. Having correct paddle technique means you can paddle faster, with ease and efficiency.
Education: Third, you are teaching others how to paddle, so you need to have an ability higher than those you are teaching and be able to pass on information to develop their own paddle ability and helps them minimise muscle, joint and back injury.
(2) How do I know if I have correct paddle technique eligible to enrol?
You must understand what makes up the paddle stroke, - the 3P;s and 5 phases of the paddle stroke. Then you can video yourself to see if you are paddling with correct paddle technique.
The ASI SUP Wise Intensiv course covers correct techniques and incorrect technique with photos, videos and criteria, with an online manual.
(3) Why do I need at least 100 hours on water experience before enrolling?
You should must understand SUP safety, SUP conditions and paddling hazards, so that you can keep your students safe at all times. Water and weather conditions are constantly changing and each location you paddle at will be affected differently.
Spending time paddling is required so you:
have the knowledge and skill to identify when conditions are suitable.
are able to identify in advanced changes in conditions when you are out on the water and take evasive action.
can understand how to read forecasts and how that will affect conditions at your location.
(4) Why is there a minimum paddle stroke / cadence rate ?
The number of strokes you take per minute is called paddle stroke rate or paddle cadence. This translates to how fast you can paddle. The better technique you have the faster you can paddle. ASI SUP instructors courses have minimum paddle cadence rates. Your ability to paddle at the minimum cadence is to keep your students safe – in case you have to paddle fast to get them out of trouble or they have broken away from the group.
(5) How long does it take to develop correct paddling technique?
It doesn’t take long to learn the correct technique. About 10 hours. But applying correct paddling technique to different water environments will take longer. Eg Flat water paddling is easier than coastal water paddling which has swell (not waves) and uneven waters.
(6) What can I do if I don’t have correct technique yet?
SUP Wise Intensiv. Enrol in the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv online course. Get all the information to understand what is required to paddle correctly. The course also covers environment, hazards, equipment, clothing, paddle technique, other SUP skills such as turning, stopping, different methods to getting back on the board, falling off and guidelines for safe paddling.
SUP Wise Activ and SUP Wise Level 1 Certificate Courses. Enrol in SUP Wise programs delivered by ASI SUP Schools. Practical on water sessions designed to gain experience and confidence on the water, feedback on technique and other relevant paddle information.
Coaching. Get coaching from ASI Technical Coaches at ASI Accredited SUP Schools. They can analyse your technique, use video analysis and provide training plans or feedback for you to practice to improve.
ASI SUP Schools and Clubs Social Paddles. Join ASI accredited SUP Schools and Club in social paddles. As these sessions are delivered by ASI accredited SUP instructors, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge to improve you confidence, knowledge and technique.
What Courses Do I Enrol In ?
How to become a SUP Instructor - this article explains the process and what to enrol in.
ASI SUP Instructors are required to hold rescue and first aid qualifications.
You can enrol in ASI combined SUP courses for:
SUP Instructor
ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Award
ASI SUP Wise Intensiv
Enrolling into Multiple SUP Instructor Courses
(1) Can I enrol in Level 1, followed by Level 2, Level 3, etc?
Yes. You must ensure you have the required Paddling Skills at each level, before you enrol.
What is the Minimum Age to Enrol in the Instructor Courses?
16 years of age.
However instructors under the age of 18 years old, cannot teach unsupervised unless they have an adult (18 years and over) accredited instructor supervising nearby.
Accredited Instructors under 18 years of age, are still counted for student to instructor ratios.
Practical Hours
(1) Where can I undertake my practical hours?
You could do your practical hours with the trainer. You will need to contact the trainer and ask if they have availability. The trainer details are listed on the actual training event/workshop page on the ASI website.
You can find an ASI accredited SUP school on the ASI website “Find Schools”
You can do your practical hours with a non ASI SUP school you plan to work for. Please send us the name the intructor and their qualification, the school name, location and website and we can check their suitability.
RPL of your practical hours can apply. If - you are deemed competent at the workshop, have prior extensive experience delivering outdoor water activities and hold another outdoor watersports qualification (eg canoeing, windsailing, surfing, kitesurfing, bodyboarding).
(2) There is no ASI School near me to complete practical hours / There is no SUP school near me that can offer me practical hours
At the workshop, the trainer will discuss how you can complete your practical hours based on your experience and ability.
Where an ASI school is not near you, a variety of options is available including completing hours at a non ASI school and / or if you are an experienced outdoors recreation instructor in another watersport, you may be able to complete your own hours and provide video assessment of delivery. The Trainer will prepare a simple plan and be your mentor.
How Long Do I Have to Complete all the SUP Instructor Course Requirements?
You have 12 months from the date of the workshop to complete all the course requirements. At that time, your enrolment will cancel.
You should easily be able to complete the requirements after the workshop. Remember to factor in time to complete your practical hours training.
What Happens if I Do Not Pass the Practical Tests at the Workshop?
You can submit video after the workshop for re-assessment.
A re-assessment fee applies. (see "Re-assessment Fees" for fee cost)
You have 12 months to complete all course requirements.
What Happens if the Video or Course Work Submitted is Assessed as Not Yet Competent
You can submit new video and course work again for re-assessment.
A re-assessment fee applies. (see "Re-assessment Fees" for fee cost)
You have 12 months to complete all course requirements.
Rescue Certificates
(1) Do I need to hold a rescue certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No. You have 12 months after the workshop date to provide it to ASI. Your instructor certificate will not be issued until we have received your rescue certificate.
(2) What is a “current’ rescue certificate for SUP Instructors?
It is a certificate that is not expired and is no more than 24 months old from when it was completed/issued.
ASI does not accept rescue certificates older than 24 months (even if the expiry date is longer).
(3) My Rescue Certificate is valid for 5 years. Will ASI accept this?
No. ASI only accepts rescue certificates up to 24 months from date of the course / issue date.
(4) What Rescue Certificates do you accept?
All new SUP instructors must complete the ASI SUP Rescue certificate. (half day course). It provides key SUP specific rescue techniques for instructors. Feedback from participants is that this half day SUP specific course is very beneficial.
(5) Will ASI accept a non ASI Rescue Certificate?
ASI has listed some certificates that are acceptable. click here
At a minimum, acceptable rescue courses must include:
rescues in an outdoor environment using a rescue board and bringing participants back to shore, and,
a fitness test, being the ability to continuously swim 100 metres (328 ft), run 200 metres (650 ft), prone paddle 200 metres (650ft) within 10 minutes.
Surf Rescue Certificates: ASI will accept "Surf Rescue or Lifeguard" certificates.
Pool Lifeguard Rescue Certificates. These are usually for swimming pools in a controlled environment and do not use boards and as such are not acceptable.
Other Flat Water Rescue Certificates. May be acceptable. Course content must cover the ASI minimum requirements for rescue training courses. Please email us, if you are unsure if your rescue course is acceptable at: info@academyofsurfing.com
(6) I completed an outdoor recreation or another instructor qualification that included rescue training with it. Is that acceptable for my rescue certificate?
We need a copy of your actual Rescue certificate that shows the date it was completed/issued.
We can accept a transcript that shows when you completed the rescue training module.
(7) Do I need a Surf Rescue Certificate or a Flat Water Certificate?
Yes. Level 1 Enclosed Flat Water and Level 2 Exposed Waters: minimum is Flat Water Rescue Certificate. But you can also provide a Surf Rescue certificate.
SURF Rescue Certificate is required for: L3 Surf, L3 Downwind and above levels.
(8) Do I need to update my Water Rescue certificates?
Yes. For your instructor accreditation to be valid, you must keep your water rescue certificate "current".
First Aid Certificates
(1) Do I need to hold a first aid certificate before enrolling in the ASI Instructor courses?
No. You have 12 months after the workshop date / enrolment to provide it to ASI. You instructor certificate will not be issued until we receive it
(2) What is a “current’ first aid certificate?
The certificate date must not be expired. Certificates that are more than 3 years old are not accepted (even if the expiry date is longer).
(3) What First Aid Certificates do you accept?
ASI has listed some certificates that are acceptable. click here
Requirements:
Is a Senior or secondary first aid certficates (or a similar term). It is not just basic CPR.
The course topics should cover the types of incidents that could occur to your students. At a minimum, it should include: basic emergency care for injuries and illnesses: CPR, cramp, hypothermia, heat stroke, strain/sprains, fractures, breaks and dislocations, breathing emergencies including choking and asthma, head injuries, eye injuries, bites and stings, bleeding, shock, epilepsy, allergies.
Face to Face Training:
These are usually 1 day to 2 days training, with or without a compoent of online learning. Valid for 2 to 3 years.
At a minimum your first aid certificate must include FACE to FACE training.
First Aid at Work:
Certificates are generally not acceptable. Unless they cover all the topics required by ASI. A transcript of the topics is to be provided to ASI.
(4) Do you accept online first aid certificates?
No. The First aid training must have a face to face component.
(5) I completed first aid in my surf rescue course. Is that acceptable to ASI.
In some countries, the Surf Lifesaving and Lifeguard qualifications includes senior first aid training. These combined Surf Rescue and First Aid Certificates are acceptable .
e.g UK, Spain, Portugal, Bali, USA
In Australia, the Surf Lifesaving Bronze only includes basic first aid. A separate senior first aid certificate must be completed.
In other countries, senior first aid training is generally separate to the surf rescue training.
(6) I am a paramedic or nurse. Do you I have to provide a first aid certificate?
No. But you must provide evidence / certificate / letter from the hospital you work for that states you are current in first aid.
(7) Do I need to update my First Aid certificates?
Yes, for your instructor accreditation to valid, you must keep First Aid current (up to date) at all times.
Working with Children Checks
Do I need to hold a Working with Children Check?
Yes, if you are working with children. Only applies to the country you are working in. Not every country has working with child check requirements. See info....
Renewal
(1) Do I have to renew my instructor certification?
Yes. Your SUP Instructor accreditation certificate expires at least 12 months from the date of the training - to the nearest renewal date for the region.
Australia, Asia - 31 December
UK, Europe, Middle East, USA, America's - 30 June
In your first year, you may be given more than 12 months to renew (but you will receive at least a minimum of 12 months).
See: Renewal Requirements
(2) Why do I have to renew each year?
You are a professional and this demonstrates you are keeping your skills and knowledge updated.
You don’t need to attend another course. Complete the online renewal form and submit relevant evidence.
(3) Do I need to update my SUP skills and knowledge?
Each 3 years, ASI instructors can complete the SUP Instructor Professional skills update course. Its an opportunity to review personal skills and update industry knowledge.
I Already Hold a SUP Instructor Qualification with Another Training Organisation. Can I Enrol in the ASI Level 2?
No. ASI courses are designed to education department requirements and are modularised. Each level follows on from the next. The ASI Level 1 has specific procedures, safety and instruction techniques that form the basis of the Level 2 training program.
I Already Hold Another SUP or Outdoor Instructor Qualification. Can I Transfer to ASI?
No. The ASI SUP instructor training courses are stand up paddle specific and are based on modularised learning.
ASI created the worldwide SUP Standards in 2008 and offers the largest range of training programs with career progression.
Due to the uniqueness of the ASI educational SUP instructor programs, it’s not possible to transfer from other instructor qualifications.
Other instructors from all over the world, holding other instructor qualifications, highly recommend ASI training. They attended the ASI Training courses and gained valuable SUP instructor specific guidelines and regulations, knowledge and skills. They are proud to be ASI trained.
However, special reduced fees may apply if you are an ASI School or plan to work for an ASI school. Contact ASI to find out more.
Working in Other Countries
(1) Can I work in other countries with ASI qualifications?
Yes, ASI has been operating since 2003 and is the world leader in education and training accreditation in the surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding sections of the outdoor recreation industry.
(2) I did my ASI training in another country and I want to work in Australia. Do I have to pay any extra fees to be recognised?
No. You do not pay any extra once you have your ASI qualifications. You may need to hold the first aid certificate issued in Australia. Apply for a state based working with children check. The SUP school you are working for will advise you of requirements.