This course is for the instructor looking to offer basic how-to SUP beginner lessons or an entry-level SUP experience on a commercial basis in a safe, non-challenging environment. It can be done completely online, or with a mix of online work and practical assessment.
It is essentially the ‘foundation course’ for SUP instruction, and includes fundamental knowledge such as:
- The legal environment for SUP instruction
- The documentation required
- Safety Planning
- Safety Briefing
- Understanding the conditions (winds, weather, tides, currents, using forecasts etc)
- Working with children
- Vital knowledge about SUP boards, paddles, leashes and PFDs
- A complete step-by-step guide to the most efficient, foolproof way to instruct beginner paddleboarders
- Identifying and correcting basic beginner faults
And much more.
Here are the various ways you can take (or refresh) the Level 1 SUP Instructor course.
Online + Practical: (NZ only). Complete the online course here, then take a practical assessment, which takes about 6 hours. (For much more on the assessment, check out our FAQs). This is the recommended way of completing the course, as it gives you that invaluable face-time with an experienced assessor.
The price for the online course is $150 and the practical asessment $100.
All Online: Check out the all online course for New Zealand here, or the all online course for the rest of the world here. Either can be done entirely from your own location with no need to attend an assessment. Instead, the course includes a number of assignments for you to complete.
The price for the NZ all online course or the non-NZ online course is $300
It is recommended that every 2-3 years you refresh the course learning as a renewal process. This can be done entirely online by completing the online renewal here.
The fee for the online renewal is $100.
If you already hold a SUP instructor qualification and wish to convert to the New Zealand system, the online conversion course will bring you up to speed on New Zealand law and our way of doing things, which will be essential if you are intending to work in an existing NZ SUP school. There will also be a practical assessment.
The price for the online conversion course is $100 and the practical assessment $100.
If you are wondering how it can possibly work doing an instructor course entirely online, then please check out the FAQ pages, which will hopefully give you all the information you need. If you have any other questions about which is the right course for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.