Course

Open Water SUP

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Overview

The ISA Open Water SUP Course focuses on teaching SUP high performance skills and coaching in the Open Water environment. The course covers SUP Racing, Technical, and Downwind Paddling skills.

Students must have completed the ISA Flat water SUP award as a prerequisite. If not there are  RPL options available 

Successful completion of this course allows you to coach and train students in exposed waters, downwind and racing conditions in a fun, safe and enjoyable manner for small groups of experienced paddleboarders.

SUP Proficiency

You must demonstrate the following skills: 

  • Wave negotiation 
  • Mounting the board for a race start 
  • Making a buoy turn 
  • Catching a wave
  • Steering the board with feet instead of paddle 
  • Drafting (wash riding) 
  • Sprinting or increasing cadence
  • Downwind paddling 
  • Return to shore safely

Is this course for me?

Duration

This is a 7-10 hour coaching course, including practical skills assessments.  To accredit the coach must provide a min of 10 hours of work experience, recorded in your workbook, with a suitably experienced SUP mentor coach.

Lifesaving / First Aid Award

The candidate must hold a suitable First Aid / Rescue Award, which can be taken anytime up to 18 months after the course.

Completion

The candidate has18 months from the start date to complete all the criteria.  If deemed ‘not competent’ in any part of the assessment, you will have an opportunity to develop competency during the hours of coaching.  On successful completion the candidate will receive an ISA OWSUP certificate.

Membership

The course fee includes ISA membership for the first year.  After, the ISA coach award holder must pay the $100 USD fee to the ISA yearly and hold a current acceptable ILS water rescue award to maintain a valid qualification.

Contact us for more information

Instructor

Andy Joyce

Turning his love for the water into a career, he started up Surf Steps, his own Surf and SUP training centre in 2005. He now directs the business, and a very happily married Father of 2.

“My dream of a more water filled life was realised through passion, hard work and vision. I see my role is to help people achieve theirs too!”

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