River Instructor - Stand Up Paddleboarding

River Instructor - Stand Up Paddleboarding

Aim
The Stand Up Paddleboard River (SUP-RI) Instructor course is designed to provide a national certification in the instruction and administration of the River Stand Up Paddleboard Program.

Mandate of the River Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor
The Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor is certified to conduct Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard River 1 (SUP-R1) and Stand Up Paddleboard River 2 (SUP-R2) courses and to certify paddlers at those levels. The Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor may teach paddlers Stand Up Paddleboarding on moving water, up to class 2.

Prerequisites
1. At least 16 years of age.
2. Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial / Territory membership.
3. Paddle Canada SUP-R2 skills certification.
5. Paddle Canada also recommends that Instructors possess appropriate First Aid and Swift Water Rescue Training.

Recommended Course Length
2 days minimum. Successful participants will receive the “Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor Award.”

Instructor: Participant Ratio
1:6
One (1) instructor to Six (6) participants

Conditions
Class 2 river with good eddies and a wave.

Evaluation of Candidate
The Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor will be evaluated by the following methods:
1. Continuous evaluation (by observation) of skills throughout the course.
2. Written test of knowledge of course content of approximately one hour in length. Candidates must achieve a mark of at least 80% to pass.
3. Written and/or oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content.
4. Ongoing evaluation (by observation) of the candidate’s performance in the areas of safety, care of equipment, group dynamics and leadership.
5. A minimum of 2 demonstrations of teaching ability by each candidate, at least one of which shall be an “on water” session in which the candidate teaches a Stand Up Paddleboard River skill. The candidate must select a site appropriate to the skill being taught and to the skill level of the students. In addition, development of appropriate teaching progression and strategies must be demonstrated. Teaching topics may be previously assigned or chosen, or may be assigned at short notice from a previously issued list. The course staff will determine the methods and number of tests in each content area.

Course Content
It is expected that candidates have SUP experience beyond that of the SUP-R2 skills course. Candidates are expected to perform all safety and skill items to a level that is superior to that of a student taking the SUP-R2 skills course. Candidates should have successfully completed the Paddle Canada SUP-R2 Skills course.

Safety
Candidate must demonstrate all safety procedures outlined in the Stand Up Paddleboard River Skills courses. Candidates must also identify potential hazards in a variety of situations and state appropriate preventative safety procedures.
Self-rescue: Candidate brings self and equipment into shore, without assistance and demonstrates awareness of river flow patterns, and where to position self for safety.
Candidate must complete a board rescue and retrieval within a reasonable distance of the group. This can be by either the clip and tow method or by midstream T-rescue or another method that is successful.

Skills
Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor candidates must consistently show “demonstration quality” skills as outlined in the Stand Up Paddleboard River courses. As such, a skills demonstration by the candidate will be required.
Advanced and novelty skills may be introduced at the Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor course for purposes of enrichment, as time and resources allow.

Demonstration Quality
It is expected that instructor candidates be able to complete the required skills with ease, clearly showing what strokes are used in an obvious demonstration.