The PSUPA SUP Pilates Teacher Training Certification prepares you to teach safe, professional, and engaging SUP Pilates classes on flatwater, pools, docks, and anchored pods.

You’ll learn how to structure a SUP Pilates class, adapt classical Pilates movements to an unstable surface, manage water safety, anchor effectively, and build a SUP Pilates business.

• Learn how to teach a complete SUP Pilates class from warm‑up to cool‑down

• Develop strong water safety, anchoring, and leadership skills

• Understand how to adapt Pilates movements for paddleboards

• Learn how to run your own SUP Pilates business, including operations, marketing, and event planning

See curriculum below for full details.

Keeping Certifications Active: Active Annual PSUPA Membership and Current hands-on First Aid / CPR certification is required to keep certification active.

• • Successful completion of Flatwater 1 (disregard if your SPTC course includes FW1)

  • Current PSUPA membership

  • Current hands-on First Aid/CPR certification

  • Core Mat 1 Pilates Certification (Classical) or in-training

    • If in-training, you must sign a contract stating you cannot offer classes until your Pilates training is complete

  • Two Pilates or fitness industry professional references

  • Signed liability form provided by your Instructor Trainer

  Note: Instructor Trainers may decline certification for students who do not demonstrate adequate paddling skills, teaching ability, or safety awareness. Students may continue training toward certification if they do not pass initially.

  If you are not yet an experienced paddler or do not meet prerequisites, consider taking basic and advanced SUP classes from PSUPA Instructor Trainers before pursuing this certification.

Day One: SUP Skills and SUP Yoga Basics

• Instructor Trainer leads a SUP Pilates class

• Paddling practice: balance, efficiency, stroke refinement

• Increasing speed and control on the water

• How to quickly and clearly teach SUP basics to your Pilates students

• Introduction to SUP Pilates movement adaptations

• Typical SUP Pilates class structure

• Homework: Write a SUP Pilates class to teach on Day Two

Day Two: Waterways and Yoga Modifications

• Understanding tidal shifts, currents, and flatwater conditions

• Lakes, pools, docks, and pod dynamics

• Anchoring and tethering techniques for SUP Pilates

• Each student teaches a portion of class, including anchoring setup

• Movement safety: what is and isn’t appropriate on a board

• Cueing, voice projection, and water-based communication

Day Three: Business of SUP Yoga

• Instructor Trainer leads a SUP Pilates class

• Rescues, towing, and emergency procedures

• Buying a fleet vs. partnering with a SUP rental shop

• Contracts with cities, ports, parks, recreation departments, and schools

• Insurance requirements

• Sample waiver review

• Marketing, branding, and social media presence

• Event and retreat planning

• Final test and certification evaluation

Requirements for Course Completion

Certification is awarded upon completing the full course, passing all tests, and demonstrating satisfactory teaching skills, leadership, professionalism, and safety awareness.