​PSUPA Water Safety Course

I completed the Flat Water Level I Certification in Seattle, WA with Instructor Trainer Rob Casey. The certification course was packed with valuable information that will help me run a new Stand Up Paddle business. The classroom time gave me the tools that I need for running safe classes, understanding different types of customers, and much more.
Sally Drake

Certified Instructor, Missouri

In addition to our certification programs, we offer courses taught by our Instructor Trainers that focus on a specific aspect of SUP training or education.

These courses are designed to help professional and recreational stand up paddlers enhance their paddling skills beyond the basics.

No certification is issued for these courses and PSUPA membership is not required.

PSUPA Water Safety Course

Our Water Safety Course teaches risk management, how to identify hazards, and water rescue procedures to prepare students for any contingency. You will learn on-water communication and group management, and how to read water and weather conditions. This class is adapted to the region where it is taught, so you may also, for example, learn about tides, currents, and any Coast Guard requirements applicable to your locale. This curriculum is also a part of Flat Water Level 1 Certification.

Course Duration: Up to 4 Hours

Minimum Age of Participants: 18 years old.

Teacher-to-Student Ratio: 1:6 or 2:10.

Goals

To learn basic water safety principles and rescue techniques applicable to flat water stand up paddling. See curriculum below for more details.

Pre-Requisites

  • Know basic SUP paddling techniques and directional control. This is not a course for beginners.
  • Be in good physical shape, and able to swim 200 yards and to lift and carry all equipment.
  • Sign liability form, provided by Instructor Trainer.

Curriculum

  • Safety gear
  • Local Coast Guard requirements
  • On-water communication and group management
  • Boating rules and navigation (specific to region)
  • Understanding weather & water conditions and making sound decisions based on existing conditions
  • Anticipating potential dangers and environmental hazards
  • Understanding tides & currents (specific to region)
  • On-water safety preparation
  • On-water rescue techniques

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