Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program

Program Overview

The Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Program begins with the Flatwater 1 SUP Skills course in calm sheltered conditions and progresses in steps to advanced touring skills on open water in rough conditions. Additionally, the paddler can seek advanced skills in the river and surf streams. The complete program also includes instructor and instructor trainer levels.

Skill levels are achieved by taking courses.
Instructor levels are achieved by taking courses and may also be earned through a process of apprenticeship.
Instructor Trainer levels are achieved through teaching experience and a process of apprenticeship.

Please Note: Skills need to develop between program levels. Spend time on the water, practising what you have learned before undertaking the next course. The minimum skill set at a lower level is insufficient for entrance to a course at a higher level.

Warning

It is strongly recommended that all participants and instructors use a leash when paddling in flatwater and coastal environments. Use of a leash in river environments is at the paddler’s discretion and dependent upon the threat of entanglement.

Stand Up Paddleboard Program Recent Changes

See a complete list of recent changes to the program.

Key Policies for New Instructors

New instructors should take note of these key polices before running your first course or clinic. All instructors must make themselves familiar with our complete list of policies as well.

Assessment Guidelines for Skill Courses Learn how to apply the pass, weak, or fail evaluation system on skills courses including the use of conditional passes.
Course Administration Policies Learn about the various policies and requirements related to course registration and reporting.
Code of Conduct for Instructors and Volunteers Learn about the code of conduct, developed to foster a safe, inclusive, and healthy paddling environments for all course participants and instructors.
First Aid Certification Requirements and Standards Learn about the first aid certification requirements that all Paddle Canada Instructors must meet and keep up-to-date.

Intoxicants Policy Learn about your responsibilities related to Paddle Canada's Intoxicants Policy.
Paddle Canada Accident Policies Learn about your responsibilities in the event of an accident on a Paddle Canada course.
Policies and Definitions Pertaining to Course Roles Learn about the various course roles on in skills, instructor and instructor trainer courses.

Program Development Process

The process for the development of this program included the review of recreational programs from SUP organizations in the UK and the US, as well as the canoe and kayak programs of Paddle Canada. Early drafts were forwarded to interested SUP leaders across Canada, revised and forwarded again. The final draft was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2011.

The program was developed through the dedicated efforts of early SUP leaders, and from the great work accomplished previously by generations of paddle sports instructors generally and by the other Paddle Canada PDCs specifically. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.

This is a living program; the program is reviewed annually, and an updated manual is released each winter. Minor updates may be released during the paddling season. The SUP PDC welcomes any suggestions for improvement by Paddle Canada members. Please contact us with your ideas or comments.

Curriculum Acknowledgement

The Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program was developed through the dedicated efforts of Canadian paddleboarders who were keenly interested in the development of a comprehensive national stand up paddleboard program. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.

The SUP PDC has benefited immensely in the writing of this manual, from the great work accomplished previously by generations of paddle sports instructors generally and by the other Paddle Canada PDCs specifically.

Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program

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Skills Stream

Instructor Stream