Camp SUP Basics Skills and Water Safety Certification
The PSUPA Level 1 certification course provides fantastic on and off-water training and instruction. Rob's emphasis on high-quality instruction, customer service and high safety standards was very much appreciated during our course. Rob’s insight and experience in the paddleboard business has provided us with great ideas, tools and inspiration to get our own business started in Alaska. We would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to instruct paddleboarding or start a SUP business!
This program is designed to train your camp staff or individuals interested in teaching at camps in the basics of stand up paddling and water safety techniques while building your confidence and having fun!
You have two options:
- Camp Certification - If you have new staff to train, the camp will retake the course annually. If staff hasn't changed, we recommend a refresher course with a PSUPA Instructor Trainer.
- Individual Certification - If you work for a camp or are planning to apply to a camp, then this option is for you. Request that the Camp Skills Certification skills be added to the Flat Water 1 course. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be award both the Flat Water 1 and the Camp SUP Basics Certification.
Course Duration: 1 to 2 days. Water Safety (1 day).
Minimum Age of Participants: 18 years old.
Teacher-to-Student Ratio: 1:6, 2:10 or 3:15.
Goals
Learn how to teach a 1- and 2-hour basic SUP class. Learn water safety and rescue techniques. Learn leadership skills and risk management.
See curriculum below for more details.
Certification Requirements
Certification Valid for 4 Years: PSUPA certified instructors are required to take a one-day refresher course in their certification every four years to keep their certification valid.
Keeping Certifications Active: Active Annual PSUPA Membership and Current hands-on First Aid / CPR certification is required to keep certification active.
Pre-Requisites
- Hold current PSUPA membership.
- Have current hands-on (i.e., not Internet-based) First Aid/CPR certification or Wilderness First Aid or Lifeguard Training certification or the equivalent for your location.
- Be in good overall physical shape, be able to swim 200 yards and be able to lift and carry all equipment.
- Be able to paddle a minimum of 3-5 miles in varied conditions – for example, flat water and bumpy.
- Have positive interpersonal skills.
- Sign liability form, provided by Instructor Trainer.This is not a course for beginners.
Note: Instructor Trainers have the right not to pass students who do not adequately demonstrate teaching skills and have a poor overall evaluation. If a student who does not pass wants to continue to work toward certification, further training outlined by an Instructor Trainer, at an additional expense to the student, will be required prior to issuing certification.
If you are not an experienced paddler or don’t yet meet the requirements for this certification, please consider taking some basic and advanced SUP classes from our Instructor Trainers or Certified Instructors before pursuing this certification.
Curriculum
- Basic elements of stand up paddling
- Water safety - which covers (among other things): emergency preparedness and rescue techniques
- Interpretation of weather and water conditions
- On-water group management and communication
- Leadership skills
- Teaching concepts and techniques
- How to teach the basic elements of stand up paddling
- Approaches to teaching students of varying ages, abilities, skill levels, and limitations
- Lesson formats and preparation
- Methods of teaching basic paddling techniques
- SUP gear and equipment overview
The camp or individual will receive one copy of our 107 page Flat Water 1 manual for reference. Individuals interested in more training can attend a 2-3 day Flat Water 1 stand up paddling certification course with an IT in their region. Also see our other certifications to gain additional skills such as River SUP and SUP Yoga.
Requirements for Course Completion and Certification
Tests are Pass/Fail with Passing grade at 80% or better.
- Have current hands-on (i.e., not Internet-based) First Aid/CPR certification or Wilderness First Aid or Lifeguard Training certification or the equivalent for your location.
- Be in good overall physical shape and able to swim 200 yards, and able to lift and carry all equipment
- Sign liability form, provided by Instructor Trainer.This is not a course for beginners.
Cost for Certification
| PSUPA Membership (annual membership) | $ 85.00 |
| On-Water Session (Price is set by local Instructor Trainer. Typically a 1 day session) | Set by Instructor Trainer |
| On-Line Test | $14.25 |
| Miscellaneous- Any associated travel or equipment rental costs for completing On-Water Session | Varies |
Certification is valid for 4 years (with active membership)
The entire course must be completed within 6 months from starting, (unless a preapproved extension is granted), so it is strongly advised for candidates to solidify their plans for the on-water portion prior to beginning.