Course Overview

The Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding course is designed to develop and refine the skills needed to paddle effectively in conditions where wind, waves and current are present. This course is also designed to increase knowledge of SUP equipment.

Skills Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

Course Duration

4 hours (or more at instructor discretion)

Course Location / Accessible Venues

• Waterway with access to safe landing within 0.5 nautical miles/0.9 kilometers from shore
• 5 - 10 knot winds
• Note: conditions should not exceed 1 foot/0.3 meters waves or 2 knot currents

5 Participants: 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 10.

Instructor

This course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of SUP (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators.

Minimum Personal Equipment

Properly fitted PFD, SUP paddle, Stand Up Paddleboard, appropriate clothing for the weather.

Succeeding Courses

• Level 3: River SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
• Level 3: Surf SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
• Level 3: Coastal SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course

The following is a general summary of course content for the Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding course. The content covered, and sequence of instruction should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location and time allowance.