SUP Instructor Standards-SUP Yoga

ASI SUP Instructor Teacher Standards: SUP Yoga

ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) establishes the global benchmark for SUP yoga sessions.

Below are key operational standards for conducting safe, high-quality SUP yoga sessions in flat water locations in standing depth water only.

Definition

SUP Yoga is an outdoor mind-body practice that adapts traditional yoga postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and mindfulness to a stand up paddleboard in calm, flat water.

Instead of practicing on a studio mat, participants perform adapted poses, gentle transitions, balance poses, and restorative stretches on a wide, stable paddleboard (often anchored in place in shallow water). The continuous, subtle movement of the water enhances core activation and balance while offering a tranquil, nature-immersed flow.

Approved Location Conditions

SUP Yoga locations include sheltered inland waterways—such as lakes, rivers, lagoons, estuaries, canals, and small harbors—as well as calm coastal bays.

  • Water Surface & Waves: Flat water conditions. Zero swell, chop, shore break, or breaking waves.

  • Wind Limits: Maximum wind speed of 12 knots.

  • Water Depth Parameters: Minimum depth of 1 metre (3 ft) up to a maximum depth of 1.2 metres (4 ft), ensuring standing depth for participants

  • Location Boundaries: Stay within 50 metres (164 ft) of the shoreline.

  • Activity Area – Paddling Distance: The SUP yoga activity area to be under 50 metres paddling distance.

Note:
If you plan to paddle more than 50 metres it is recommended, for safety reasons, that you hold ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor certification.
If you plan to deliver sessions in deep water, you also need to reconsider safety protocols.

Required Equipment & Gear Standards

  • Paddle Boards: SUP Yoga boards or wide, stable flat water paddle boards, with full decking.

  • Paddles: Properly sized paddles.

  • Leashes: Coiled leashes securely attached to the board.

Instructor Qualification Requirements

To lead SUP Yoga sessions, teachers hold active, current credentials:

  • SUP Yoga Instructor Certification: ASI SUP Yoga Teacher

  • Yoga Certification: minimum 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) qualification.

  • First Aid: Current Senior First Aid certification.

  • Rescue Skills: Have knowledge of SUP rescue skills or hold a water rescue certificate.

  • Background Check: Official Working with Children Check (as applicable to the country).

Student Entry Requirements

  • Minimum Age: Recommended baseline of 8 years old (instructors must evaluate individual physical capacity to manoeuvre board and/or get back on board if they fall off).

  • Paddling Experience: No prior paddling experience required.

Student Management & Supervision Ratios

Instructor-to-Student Ratio: Free-Flowing Sessions (Unanchored):

  • Maximum 1:12 ratio (1 instructor per 12 students).

  • Plus Assistant Required: An additional competent paddle assistant is required for groups larger than 6 students.

Instructor-to-Student Ratio: Anchored Sessions:

  • Maximum 1:16 ratio (1 instructor per 16 students).

  • Plus Assistant Required: An additional competent paddle assistant is required for groups larger than 8 students.

Group Density & Spacing:

  • Maximum 12 to 16 students per group in the water simultaneously.

  • Maintain at least 100 metres (328 ft) distance between concurrent groups in busy operational areas.

Water Safety & Risk Management

Leash Protocols:

  • Students and instructors wear leashes while transitioning to and from the SUP yoga location.

  • Leashes are detached while practicing yoga poses on the board, due to ability to hinder performing poses.

Buoyancy Aid Protocols: Are not worn during yoga sessions, due to ability to hinder performing poses.

Transitioning to the SUP Yoga activity area: Participants can walk their boards out or paddle seated/kneeling while moving to the activity zone.

Teacher Positioning: The SUP Yoga teacher must remain on a board in the water, maintaining close proximity to students throughout the entire session.

Hazard Assessment: The operational area to be free from environmental, navigation, and other water hazards prior to and during the session.

Operational Safety & Risk Management

The ASI SUP Instructor Standards provide international benchmark guidelines for safe stand up paddling instruction. Instructors must conduct a comprehensive, real-time risk assessment before and during every session—evaluating student physical ability, water and weather conditions, and potential environmental hazards. Standards, group sizes, or ratios must be adjusted, scaled down, or activity cancelled accordingly to prioritise safety.