SUP Program

Paddle Canada SUP Program (Stand Up Paddleboard)

Mandate: The mandate of the Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program is to educate paddlers on safe Stand Up Paddleboard practices through the teaching of skill level and instructor level courses.

Age Requirements: There is no age restrictions for any Skill Courses - at the discretion of the Course Director please check with them. In order to participate in the Introduction to Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor course, candidates must be at least 16 yrs of age. All other instructor course participants must be at least 18 yrs of age.

The latest version of the Stand Up Paddleboard program was released in March 2013. Please ensure the most recent program release is used at all times.

Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program

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Overview of Skills Courses

Introduction to Stand Up Paddleboard: (2-3 hours)
Introduces the novice to paddling in enclosed sheltered waters and calm conditions. Skills covered include a kneeling, standing on a board, forward & turning strokes, and safety awareness.

Advanced Flatwater: day paddling skills on inland waterways with wind and waves (2-3 hours) Provides the theory and skills for paddling inland waters with wind and waves. Includes: pivot turns, wave surfing, foot positions, edging and bracing.

River Level-1: introduction to paddling in river currents (3-4 hours)Provides the theory and skills for paddling Class 1 rivers. Includes: hazards & safety awareness, eddy turns, ferries and surfing with a paddle!

River Level-2: advanced paddling in river currents (3-4 hours) Provides the theory and skills for paddling Class 2 rivers. Includes: river dynamics, surfing and carving on more challenging waves.

Coastal Journeying: introduction to journeying in coastal areas (4-6 hours)
Provides the theory and skills for paddleboard journeying in coastal areas. Includes: currents & tides, launching and landing in surf and bracing. The Coastal Journeying and Coastal Surf courses may be completed in any order.

Coastal Surf: introduction to surfing in coastal areas (4-6 hours)
Provides the theory and skills for surfing a paddleboard on the ocean. Includes: surf etiquette, reading the surf, foot positions and body positions. The Coastal Journeying and Coastal Surf courses may be completed in any order.