BECOMING A BSUPA INSTRUCTOR

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 surfing 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 Simon Bassett BSUPA  and owner of  2XS, and Andy Gratwick of Easy Riders in Poole both are joint head coaches for BSUPA.  Its a scheme written by SUP instructors for SUP instructors.   BSUPA have trained in excess of 1500 instructors through their Level 1 Scheme, there are 60 BSUPA schools and over 35,000 students have learnt the Level 1 “Ready to Ride” course.

Why 2XS, West Wittering?

Simon, the owner of  2XS was one of the first ten SUP riders in the UK and has been teaching SUP since 2006. He wrote the BSUPA instructor scheme and is co founder of BSUPA so when you come to West Wittering, you not only get the great location, you also get the top SUP Trainers on hand to help you further your career. We are passionate about paddle surfing so you will get expert advice from people who really are into the sport, plus West Wittering is great place to paddlesurf –flat water lagoons, waves on “Bertie’s Reef” and outer banks and great access to Chichester Harbour. We have SUPS for rent and wetsuits if you don’t want to bring your own.

The Level 1 Instructor’s Manual. 100 pages of the up to date BSUPA coaching scheme.

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 paddlesurfing.  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 (the PB2 course is no longer a requirement); 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.

BSUPA LEVEL 1 CONVERSION COURSE (1 DAY):

If you are a current RYA, BCU, BKSA, ASI, ISA Instructor you can attend a one day ‘direct access’ conversion course to become a level 1 BSUPA Instructor.  You must have current, valid certificates to prove qualification level.  Failure to reach the required standard in any areas of the Instructor assessment will result in being required to attend the full BSUPA Instructor Level 1 course.  The BSUPA Conversion Course will include a BSUPA Manual and certificate – we spend half the time on the water.  We cover safety, the BSUPA teaching method and formula, rescue techniques, review teaching zones and equipment.

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 (the PB2 is no longer a requirement);  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.

BSUPA INSTRUCTOR LEVEL 1 REVALIDATION  (1 day)

If Your BSUPA Level 1 Instructors has expired (3 years after completion) you can do a BSUPA (1 day)  Level 1 Revalidation course which will include an updated manual and certificate .

We run you through the latest in techniques and any new safety information.  This  is also a chance for you to give us some feed back on how courses are running .  The course will be run mostly on the water and we will revisit the BSUPA teaching formula and method.  Any new updates on safety equipment will be covered.

PRE-REQS:

For this course you will require a valid first aid, BSUPA membership and valid power boat for open sea qualifications.

BSUPA LEVEL 2

Level 2 separates the scheme into two areas, waves and flat water and include senior instructor skills expected in running a BSUPA recognised school.

QUALIFICATION SCOPE

As a  qualified BSUPA Level 2 Instructor can run or open a BSUPA recognised school.

BSUPA LEVEL 2 –  TOUR/RACE (2 DAY)

“TOUR/RACE INSTRUCTOR”

Exploring, theory, weather and tides, passage planning, exit routes, shelter and distance, equipment, boards, paddles, supplies, spares and safety gear.  Group size, control and management, types of tours, downwinders, distance, water state, currents, towing technique and safety.

PRE-REQS

100  logged hours as a BSUPA Level 1 Instructor, minimum age 18.  Paddle skills, complete Level 1 paddle test.  Demonstrate a medium/high level of fitness and experience in distance paddling and passage planning on both tidal and non tidal waters.  Has a good knowledge of different locations/conditions – and has experience in basic level racing and/or tours.  Provide video or still photos of your SUP technique on flat water (to be viewed on the course).  Current member of BSUPA.

BSUPA LEVEL 2 –  SUP/SURF (2 DAY)

“SUP SURF INSTRUCTOR”

Intro to the waves, theory weather and tides, getting out through surf and back, catching and the take off, riding, trimming, turning and use of the paddle in waves, etiquette, rescue, emergency stops, wipeouts and surf behaviour.  Level 2 is to be taught in small to medium beach break waves on easily accessible surf beaches.

PRE-REQS

100  logged hours as a BSUPA Level 1 Instructor, minimum age 18.  Paddle skills, complete Level 1 paddle test. Demonstrate a medium level of wave riding ability in moderate surf, catching/turning/trimming/getting out and in/etiquette.  Have an ability to ride head high waves and switch direction on green waves with confidence.  Have a clear knowledge of surf rights of way and a solid understanding of surf locations/conditions/rips.  Provide video or still photos of your SUP technique in waves (to be viewed on the course).  Current member of BSUPA.