Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor

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
Successful participants will receive the “Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor Award.” 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 class 1 and class 2 moving water.

Prerequisites
1. At least 18 years of age.

2. Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial / Territory membership.

3. Paddle Canada SUP-R2 skills certification.

4. Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor (SUP-AFWI) certification.

5. Current certification in Standard First Aid with CPR (14-16 hours).

6. Paddle Canada recommends that Instructors possess appropriate Swift Water Rescue Training.

Course Length
2 days (16 hours) minimum.

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.

Retesting may occur at the Director’s discretion, but must be made available to all candidates if instituted for one, in which case the second grade shall stand as the grade of record for that test. Retesting or fulfillment of incomplete test items may occur after the Course and results at that time are final, unless the Course Director decides to utilize the option of post Course retesting or evaluation subject to these conditions:
• Post Course evaluation may be undertaken only by the Course Director or designate.
• It must occur within the same paddling season in which the course took place.
• There shall be no fee for the post course evaluation from the candidate, nor may the course director ask any remuneration for this service except for payment of reasonable expenses.

The following grades will be used for the evaluation of each test item:
P ‐ Pass
W ‐ Weak
F ‐ Fail, skill is very weak and needs major improvement to pass

The course staff will outline as clearly as possible the criteria, which determine P, W or F grading of each test to the candidates prior to the test. To achieve Stand Up Paddleboard River Instructor status the candidate must achieve a P in all tests. One W may be accepted at the discretion of the course staff.

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 demonstrate at least two (2) methods of transporting (by towing or otherwise) an injured or unconscious paddler a minimum of 250 meters to shore.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to contact an unconscious paddler and put them onto a paddleboard within 60 seconds.

Candidates must also identify potential hazards in a variety of situations and state appropriate preventative safety procedures.

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.

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.

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.

Teaching and Evaluation
Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics and areas, especially as applied to the teaching of psychomotor skills in general and recreational SUP specifically.
1. How one learns.
2. Conditions of learning.
3. Skill, knowledge and attitude areas of learning.
4. Goals and objectives.
5. Teaching strategies.
6. Lesson planning and organization.
7. Class management.
8. Group dynamics.
9. Evaluation techniques.
10. Instructor behaviour and attitudes.
11. How to plan and organize a Stand Up Paddleboard River course.
12. Games theory.

Assignment
Candidates will hand in to the course staff a course outline for a Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard River Course. This assignment may be handed in after the instructor course, however, no certification will be issued until the assignment and all other criteria have been satisfied.

Theory
Candidates must demonstrate a thorough understanding of all theory presented in the Stand Up Paddleboard River courses.

Programming and Program Development
The candidate will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics as they relate to the initiation, management and operation of a recreational SUP Program in Canada.
1. Paddle Canada policies, programs, accreditation and re‐certification.
2. Organization and management of a Stand Up Paddleboard River course.
3. Other germane institutions and programs (National associations, Provincial associations, clubs, etc.) available in Canada.
4. Overview of resources (publications, websites, manufacturers, retailers, repair persons, etc.) available in Canada.
5. Legal and liability issues affecting the instructor.
6. Safety procedures, hazard recognition, waterfront regulations and safety equipment.
7. Equipment choice, teaching sites and areas, and scheduling.
8. Development of appropriate teaching progression.
9. Knowledge of SUP activities, games and events
10. Staffing and staff management