BSUPA Level 1 Instructor Training Course

BSUPA LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

Become a BSUPA Instructor with Oxford SUP Club.

We are proud to be an accredited British Stand Up Paddle Association Training Centre and run BSUPA Level 1 Instructor training courses.

We run the 2-day full courses and 1-day conversion courses at our purpose built training centre & HQ on Farmoor Reservoir, just outside of Oxford City.

We have access to a huge reservoir, and the River Thames for the on water training, and plenty of room in our training centre, with changing rooms and endless cups of tea!

This course qualifies an individual to teach BSUPA Level 1 Ready to Ride* courses to a maximum of 6 students on a suitable area of water within the infrastructure of a BSUPA recognised school.

Oxford SUP Club Founder & Director Andrew is a Director of BSUPA and a qualified BSUPA Trainer.

Why become a SUP Instructor?

Teaching any sport you need to have a professional and structured approach, for the safety of your clients and you also need to be able to inspire and teach stand up paddle boarding to a high standard.

BSUPA’s aim is to create a teaching platform that combines core technical skills to teach stand up paddle surfing and inspire a new generation of stand up paddlers to take up the sport in a safe and fun manner. 

The courses will provide a recognised qualification to water sports instructors who wish to develop their careers by teaching stand up paddle surfing.

The BSUPA scheme has been developed and written by SUP instructors for SUP instructors. BSUPA have trained in excess of 3000 instructors through their Level 1 Scheme, there are over 100 BSUPA schools in the UK teaching around 65,000 students a year using the Level 1 “Ready to Ride” course.

BSUPA LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR (2 DAY) COURSE:

BSUPA LEVEL 1 “READY TO RIDE”

This is BSUPA’s flagship instructor course that has been developed by SUP Instructors for SUP Instructors – the course takes you through the BSUPA teaching method and formula and follows a practical and logical approach to teaching paddleboarding. 

We cover safety in detail, teaching zones, group control, teaching techniques, equipment, teaching psychology and practical tips on both technique and coaching skills. 

You will have lectures to cover on the course as well as a written exam and a practical paddle test.

We will even help with re-tuning your own technique as we will spend half the time on the water and the rest in the classroom. 

Students without any previous water sports teaching experience or qualifications will be required to undertake shadow teaching at a BSUPA School prior to certificate being issued.

QUALIFICATION SCOPE:

BSUPA level 1 Instructor qualifies an individual to teach students Level 1 “Ready to Ride” courses to a maximum of 6 students on a suitable area of water within the infrastructure of a BSUPA recognised school.

You can undertake your BSUPA Level one instructor course at the age of 16. Your will not be a fully licensed Instructor until the age of 18.  

You can assist on courses under the supervision of a fully licensed instructor. You cannot be solely in charge of students or extend a class ratio.

PRE-REQS:

You need to be more competent than your students – minimum water time 40 hours, have a basic knowledge of SUP and ideally have been on a BSUPA Ready to Ride course; RYA Powerboat Level 2; for coastal certificates, Inland certificates do not require powerboat qualification. (see inland limitations),

Minimum age 16, Valid first aid qualification, Paddle competency, Current BSUPA member.

For instructors working on enclosed inland water with a maximum distance of 50m from land and no tidal influences. 

An RYA powerboat level 2 certificate is recommended but not required.

Instructors will be expected to demonstrate – short paddle stroke, slow and fast; recovery stroke, reverse paddle turn, step back turn, forward steering turn, board and body 360, foot steering, paddle steer, push and sweep turns, paddleboarding in reverse.

We do have a pass/fail level – but all candidates that may need extra time or help in certain areas will be given a BSUPA Action Plan and a timeframe to correct the issues.

Your certificate remains valid for three years from date of issue providing your BSUPA membership and Powerboat and First Aid certificates are current and up to date.