Skills Course Overview

The Essentials of SUP Surf is designed for Paddlers wishing to explore SUP Surfing. This course introduces paddlers to surf zone site assessment, ocean safety and surfing techniques with an emphasis on fun. The use of proper surf zone etiquette that demonstrates the aloha spirit of surfing is central to this course.

Course Objectives:

• To expose students to the essentials of SUP Surf to include: paddling strokes, surf zone knowledge and safety, self and assisted rescues, basic balance, body positions, simple maneuvers, and proper surfing etiquette.
• To promote the inherent enjoyment and rewards of Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Minimum Personal Equipment:

Appropriate SUP leash, SUP paddle, Stand Up Paddleboard, appropriate clothing for the weather.

Skills Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• At minimum ACA SUP L-1 and L2-2 skills are needed and L-3 skills are recommended.

Course Duration

4 hours minimum

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Surf break with 1 to 2 foot (0.3 to 0.6 meter) waves as measured by the face of the wave and offshore winds less than 10 knots.

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 ACA Level 3: Surf Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) or higher

Succeeding Courses

• Level 4: Advanced Surf SUP (under development)

The following is a general summary of course content for the essentials of the Level 3: Surf SUP course. The content covered and sequence of instruction should be adjusted if needed to best fit the participant's needs. Class location, weather, venue, and time allowance, are examples of possible changes.

• Welcome, introductions, paperwork
• Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
• Course itinerary and site logistics
• Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
• About the ACA
• Life jacket policy (always wear on water)
• Appropriate personal behavior
  • No alcohol / substance abuse
  • Proper etiquette on and off the water
  • Respect private property
  • Practice Leave No Trace ethics