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BECOME A SUP INSTRUCTOR
COURSE DATES

Stand Up Paddle Boarding Instructor & Guide Awards

We are a leading company in Stand Up Paddle boarding (S.U.P). Offering training courses for those looking to become SUP Instructors and guides in both flat water instruction, SUP Surfing, SUP Adventure Touring and SUP Downwind. 

The Water Skills Academy (WSA) SUP Instructor program has many pathways covering all types of paddleboard categories for all levels.

SUP Award Courses

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WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD - 1 DAY

WSA SUP Safety and Rescue Assessment

This one day course is designed to teach the fundamental rescue skills and safety knowledge for aspiring SUP instructors.

Operating procedures, equipment issue, Safety talk, guiding skills, group management, intro to rescue kit, route choice and grading, risk management.

This is Step 1 on the WSA ladder on the journey to becoming an instructor.

WSA regards safety and rescue skills as essential disciplines that all SUP instructors must understand and be able to demonstrate competency in rescue techniques.

If you consider yourself a SUP fanatic, why not try and put your skills to the test by becoming a SUP instructor? Working in the great outdoors, whilst teaching a sport that you are passionate about, can be challenging, rewarding and very satisfying. The SUP Safety & Rescue course is the gateway for your entry into SUP teaching and guiding.

ABOUT THE COURSE

The WSA regards safety and rescue skills as essential disciplines that all SUP instructors must understand. WSA instructors must be able to demonstrate competency in these rescue techniques. This one day course is designed to teach the fundamental rescue skills and safety knowledge for aspiring SUP instructors.

The SUP Safety and Rescue course provides a full understanding and practical application of safety considerations and rescue techniques that accompany any coach. The course includes, towing, incident management, drowning, board rescues and essential safety knowledge. In addition knowledge will be gained in effective communication, equipment and recognition of other services such as lifeguards. This is a training and assessment course and the candidates will need to demonstrate a level of competency to achieve a pass.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

  • First Aid Qualification (this can be completed after the course) although it is preferable to have prior to attendance. WSA recommends a 2 day outdoor specific first aid course. Complete a pre-course online learning module.

ABILITY

Paddle confidently in light winds upwind, across wind and downwind; be able to demonstrate two types of turns confidently.

REMIT

Sheltered/Open Water/Moving Water. Please note that this is NOT a Whitewater rescue specific course and does not qualify instructors or guides to work on Whitewater rivers.

AGE

Minimum age 18

W.S.A Stand Up Paddle  Safety & Rescue Assessment £115 + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join

Duration – 1 day

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – COMPLETED THIS AWARD – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • AFTER THIS YOUR NEXT STEP – STEP 3 – WSA SUP FOUNDATION / INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD

Course Dates

WSA SUP FOUNDATION / INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD - 2 DAY

This two day course will introduce the novice instructor to teaching and communication skills, lesson planning, feedback and analysis skills and group and individual client management.

We expect our candidates to be able to confidently perform the manoeuvres listed below before enrolling on the course. If you are not sure if you are at the standard required, then please do contact us to discuss or book a 121 coaching session with us to help you get to where you need to be to sign up to this course. BOOK a 121 Coaching session

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course is designed for those who wish to teach SUP basics to beginners and improvers in a sheltered water environment. The course is very hands on with lots of practical training. You will learn essential safety information, gain knowledge of equipment, group management and lesson delivery content and skills to effectively get clients paddling.

You will leave the course being able to plan sessions and deliver them working within the structure of a school or centre. You will be assessed on your technical paddling skills and lesson delivery. Those who are “at standard” will be awarded the qualification. Candidates who do not meet the required standard will be given an action plan and will have to present them themselves for assessment at a later stage once skills have been consolidated. There is an additional £200 charge for this reassessment.

ABILITY

You will be required to have good paddling skills in light winds, upwind, across wind and downwind and be able to demonstrate turning strokes effectively and confidently including a step back turn. Please note this is NOT a course to develop your technical paddling skills. You are expected to be a confident paddler with good knowledge of the paddle stroke and be confident on your board.

REMIT

Recommended ratios: 1:8

Small areas of enclosed water, such as canals, ungraded rivers with little or no flow, ponds, small lakes, or sheltered harbours, sheltered bays on larger lakes or the coast.

Rivers and inland waterways, ungraded and not in spate with little or no flow and must have the ability to deliver a static session.

Maximum distance of 200 metres from a safe exit point.

Winds of no more than Force 3.

No offshore winds more than Force 1.

No weirs.

Tidal with little or no flow and must have the ability to deliver a static session.

No high traffic areas, such as busy harbours or harbour marina entrances.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

You will be assessed on your lesson delivery, personal paddling and communication skills. You will also be required to complete a pre -course online module.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

To enrol on the course you must have good paddling skills moving forward, turning and be confident paddling in sheltered, enclosed waters in choppy conditions.

Minimum of 10 quality paddle days (QPDs – 2-4hrs) logged on WSA Dlog prior to attending ‘WSA SUP Instructor Award’ Training.

Candidates must have also completed the WSA SUP Safety & Rescue Course prior to attending. You must also hold a current first aid certificate – this can be completed after the course and WSA recommends a 2 day outdoor specific first aid course.

Complete the pre – course online module.

AGE

Minimum age 18

  • You must be able to personally perform confidently the following skills – Back paddling / Step back pivot turn / Side stroke turn &  Stopping in calm to small swell conditions.

Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Foundation Level) £250 + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join

Duration – 2 days Training
Those who are “at standard” will be awarded the qualification. Candidates who do not meet the required standard will be given an action plan and will have to present them themselves for assessment at a later stage once skills have been consolidated. There is an additional £200 charge for this reassessment.

THIS IS STEP 3 on WSA SUP Instructor ladder – Complete this and you are well on the way to working as a Stand Up Paddle instructor.

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – YOU’VE COMPLETED BEFORE HAND OR DAY BEFORE – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • STEP 3 – WSA SUP FOUNDATION / INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD

Course Dates

WSA ADVENTURE SUP GUIDE TRAINING AWARD - 2 DAY

You will gain knowledge in various environments suitable for the remit of the award, safety in these environments and leadership strategies.

Adventure SUP Guide Training £250 + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join

Duration – 2 days Training & to receive the completed award a 1 day Assessment (following consolidation period the assessment will be booked at a later date @ £200)

ABOUT THE COURSE

The WSA SUP Adventure guide is a leadership award that will equip you to coach, lead or guide in open water, hazardous environments. You will gain knowledge in various environments suitable for the remit of the award, including safety in these environments and leadership strategies. You will learn group management techniques and how to launch and land in small surf.

In addition, journey planning, incident management and safety will play a key focus during the course. You will be educated in various bylaws and legislation that govern paddle sports. If you do not meet the required standard you will be given an action plan to consolidate skills and reapply for a formal assessment session at a later stage which will incur an additional cost of £200.

Prior to attending this course you must have passed the WSA Foundation / Instructor award and the WSA SUP Safety and Rescue course or hold a recognised equivalent qualification. Please contact us if you hold qualifications from other awarding bodies. In order to validate your award you will need to hold a minimum 2 day outdoor first aid qualification and this can be completed after the course and assessment.

PREREQUISITES

  • WSA SUP Instructor Course

  • WSA SUP Safety and Rescue

  • 16hr Outdoor First Aid Qualification

RECOGNISED PRIOR LEARNING

For:

  • ASI Level 1–2 coach

  • BSUPA Level 1–2 Coach

  • British Canoeing – please email with your current BC qualifications

ABILITY

Paddle confidently upwind, across wind and downwind in open choppy water; use two types of turns effectively and demonstrate good paddle stroke skills including step back turns

REMIT

Open Water (Coastal, Lochs/Lakes, Estuaries, slow moving rivers) Please note this is NOT a Whitewater river endorsed qualification.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Leadership, personal ability and teaching skills. Assessment is arranged separately to the 2 day course at an additional cost of £200

AGE

Minimum age 18 Years.

Prior to attending this course you must have attended the WSA SUP Instructor course and the WSA SUP Safety and Rescue course.

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – COMPLETED – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • STEP 3 – FULLY COMPLETED – WSA SUP INSTRUCTOR AWARD
  • STEP 4 – WSA ADVENTURE SUP COASTAL GUIDE TRAINING AWARD

Course Dates

 

WSA ADVENTURE SUP Coastal Guide Assessment Course Dates

WSA MONSTER SUP GUIDE AWARD - 2 DAY

The Monster SUP Guide award is designed to allow you to take the steps to become a coach, and guide on Flat water & In the surf.

The Monster SUP Guide award teaches you how to guide Monster SUPs in a safe and controlled manner in a flat water environment, you will learn Operational procedures, safety and rescue techniques, commands, safety talk, Helming skills and paddle strokes, Games and challenges.

W.S.A Monster SUP Flat water Guide – £250 + assessment + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join
Duration – 2 days Training ( If you do not meet the required standard you will be given an action plan to consolidate skills and reapply for a formal assessment session at a later stage which will incur an additional cost of £200.)

Prior to attending this course you must have attended the WSA Foundation course and the WSA SUP Safety and Rescue course.

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – COMPLETED – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • STEP 3 – COMPLETED – WSA SUP FOUNDATION INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD
  • STEP 4 – WSA MONSTER SUP FLAT WATER GUIDE

Course Dates

  • CALL TO BOOK – 01637 498200

WSA MONSTER SUP SURF GUIDE AWARD - 1 DAY

The Monster SUP SURF Guide award teaches you how to guide Monster SUPs in a safe and controlled manner on the ocean and in the waves, you will learn Operational procedures, safety and rescue techniques, commands, safety talk, Helming skills and paddle strokes, Surf environment, wave selection and much more.

W.S.A Monster SUP SURF Guide – £75 + assessment + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join
Duration – 1 days Training & 1 day Assessment (assessment can be booked at a later date)
The Monster SUP SURF Guide award is designed to allow you to take the steps to become a guide in the SURF.

Prior to attending this course you must have attended the WSA Monster SUP Guide and the WSA SUP Safety and Rescue course.

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – COMPLETED – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • STEP 3 – COMPLETED – WSA SUP FOUNDATION INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD
  • STEP 4 – COMPLETED – WSA MONSTER SUP FLAT WATER GUIDE
  • STEP 5 – WSA MONSTER SUP SURF GUIDE

Course Dates

  • CALL TO BOOK – 01637 498200

WSA SUP SURF COACH TRAINING AWARD - 2 DAY

This two day course will introduce the WSA SUP instructor to teaching and Coaching SUP SURFING. Becoming a WSA SUP Surf Coach enables you to teach SUP Surfing at a basic level.

We expect our candidates to be able to confidently perform in surf conditions listed below before enrolling on the course. If you are not sure if you are at the standard required, then please do contact us to discuss or book a 121 coaching session with us to help you get to where you need to be to sign up to this course. BOOK a 121 Coaching session

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course is designed for those who wish to teach SUP SURFING basics to beginners and improvers in small surf conditions. The course is very hands on with lots of practical training. You will learn essential safety information, gain knowledge of equipment, group management and lesson delivery content and skills to effectively get clients surfing.

You will leave the course being able to plan sessions and deliver them working within the structure of a school or centre. You will be assessed on your technical Surfing skills and lesson delivery. Following the training course candidates will be given an action plan and will have to present themselves for assessment at a later stage once the required surfing tuition hours have been consolidated. There is an additional £200 charge for this assessment.

ABILITY

You will be required to have good Surfing skills in onshore and offshore winds and be able to demonstrate catching waves, an effective bottom turn, turning strokes effectively and confidently riding and finishing waves, as well as being able to paddle out through the waves. Please note this is NOT a course to develop your technical paddling skills. You are expected to be a confident Surfer with good knowledge of the Surfing and be confident on your board.

REMIT

Recommended ratios: 1:6

Small surf of up to 3ft

Winds of no more than Force 3.

No offshore winds more than Force 2.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

You will be assessed on your lesson delivery, personal Surfing and communication skills. You will also be required to complete a pre -course online module.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

To enrol on the course you must have good paddling skills moving forward, turning and be confident paddling in sheltered, enclosed waters in choppy conditions.

Minimum of 10 quality paddle days (QPDs – 2-4hrs) logged on WSA Dlog prior to attending ‘WSA SUP Instructor Award’ Training.

Candidates must have also completed the WSA SUP Safety & Rescue Course prior to attending. You must also hold a current first aid certificate – this can be completed after the course and WSA recommends a 2 day outdoor specific first aid course.

Complete the pre – course online module.

AGE

Minimum age 18

  • You must be able to personally perform confidently the following skills – Paddling through surf effectively and efficiently. Step back pivot turn, Bottom turn to top turn, Cutback turn and riding and completing a wave in control.

Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Foundation Level) £250 + WSA SUP SAR Award + You must have a valid W.S.A Membership – click here to join

Duration – 2 days Training

THIS IS STEP 3 on WSA SUP Instructor ladder – Complete this and you are well on the way to working as a Stand Up Paddle instructor.

  • STEP 1 – YOU’VE BECOME A MEMBER OF WSA or ALREADY ARE – Click here to join.
  • STEP 2 – YOU’VE COMPLETED BEFORE HAND OR DAY BEFORE – WSA SUP SAFETY AND RESCUE ASSESSMENT AWARD
  • STEP 3 – WSA SUP INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AWARD
  • STEP 4 – Complete this training Award.

Course Dates

WHY JOIN US

Our instructors have been Paddle Boarding and guiding for many years and offer a wealth of knowledge and skills to be able to ensure that our course content is delivered in the safest and most professional manner.

The Stand Up Paddle Boarding Instructor courses we offer in Newquay are endorsed by the Water Skills Academy and fully certificated.

We offer a range of courses to suit everyone and are working on developing these further with the Water Skills Academy. The WSA SUP Courses have been developed over a number of years by a dedicated team of specialists who we have been lucky enough to be able to join in the delivery of these courses.

We can offer equipment rental and accommodation information to those who don’t have it. We ensure everyone goes away having had a great time whilst learning some great skills.

With Cornwall as our teaching environment we have plenty of perfect sup terrain to cover all aspects of the many elements of paddleboarding. Our base can be found at the waters edge in Newquay Harbour with superb water access, high spec teaching facilities, classrooms, kit rental, storage, cleaning area as well as refreshments and parking.

Our SUP Instructor Courses are very flexible, so what ever the conditions for your course, there are some fantastic locations to be able to access across the whole of Cornwall.

 

WSA PADDLEBOARD INSTRUCTOR AWARD PATHWAY

The Water Skills Academy has created probably one of the most comprehensive range of Stand up Paddleboard courses available throughout the world. WSA has identified a clear pathway to cater for those that wish to embrace the different aspects of Stand Up Paddleboarding.

Essential to all courses is the 1 Day Sup Safety and Rescue Course which provides important safety knowledge, rescue techniques and essential equipment information. For those who wish to teach in flatwater environments, the 2 day WSA SUP Instructor award provides information on lesson planning and delivery, skill drills, technique and equipment. These are the base qualifications needed to move through the pathway. (There are exceptions to this rule by providing prior learning experience i.e. qualification from another sup awarding body.) From these core awards you can follow the pathway in many directions including, adventure guide, expedition guide, surf coach, monster sup guide, river guide, yoga fitness instructor and down wind guiding to name a few.

The courses will be delivered from our base with all available amenities available from equipment to changing rooms, food and drink. There will be a base of theory to go through in the classroom and practical to be done in various locations.

The courses will cover many aspects from operating procedures, skill development, risk assessments, child protection policies and working with emergency services such as the RNLI. We will cover as much as we can with in the time frame and scope of each course. These are training courses only, assessments take place after a consolidation period and can be booked separately.

TO BOOK – Click on your chosen date below.

Courses have limited availability, so dont delay book today.

ALL SUP COURSES DATES

Feb 2023

March 2023

April 2023

May 2023

June 2023

July 2023

August 2023

  • No courses running in August.

Sept 2023

Oct / Nov / Dec / Jan 2023

  • No SUP courses running during these months.

For the full menu of all our current Course dates, availability and locations – click here