The Level 1 SUP Instructor course is in three parts

Part One: Online Learning

This part of the course consists of the various online lessons and topics accessible here. There will be about 12 hours of online learning in this phase, and candidates will also be expected to practice aspects of the material in their own time and prepare some other ‘homework tasks’ prior to the practical session. 

There will be a couple of zoom sessions during this phase, to allow discussion regarding the online learning materials and to ensure everyone is on the right track. 

Candidates are welcome to redo the online lessons as many times as they like, and you will continue to have access to the material after completion, so it remains a valuable information archive. 

Part Two: Practical Session 

This will be around 6 hours duration, including classroom sessions and a written (mainly multi choice) exam covering the topics included in the distance modules, along with practice teaching sessions on the water, during which the candidate will be required to demonstrate their teaching skills, safety awareness and a simulated emergency scenario. Individual paddling competency will also be reviewed at this stage.

Candidates will be fully briefed on what is expected of them at this practical session, prior to attending. (Sample exam papers will be available for practice prior to the assessment).  Candidates who do not show the required competency level at this session will  be debriefed on what they need to work on, and can re-attend a future practical session when they feel ready to have another go. 

Part Three: Personal skills

Upon registering for the course, candidates will be required to submit a video demonstrating their current SUP paddling skills in required areas. (A specific brief will be provided as to what is required).  Feedback will then be provided on any areas that require further work, in order for them to ensure that their skills are at the correct level when they attend the practical session and assessment. 

Other Requirements

Candidates will also be required to hold a current First Aid qualification, of NZQA 6401, 6402 level.  This certificate must be shown when taking the practical assessment. 

FEES

The fee for the course breaks down as follows:

$150 Registration Fee
This gets you access to all the online learning, and also the paddle skills review and feedback. 

$100 practical session fee
Book and pay for this when you decide you are ready to take the practical session and assessment.  Please note that the fee is not refundable if you do not pass the assessment. You may retake the practical assessment (at $100 per time) as often as is required in order to pass. You will still have access to all the online learning material throughout this time at no extra cost. 

VALIDATION 

Your qualification will begin as of the day after completing and passing the practical assessment. However, your license will initially be issued as a provisional qualification. You will be required to log your teaching sessions, and once you have 10 successful sessions logged you can apply to have your qualification upgraded to full status (no charge for this).  

Your qualification will be valid for 2 years. Revalidation (for full licenses only) will cost around $100 per further two years, but will also require a certain amount of other professional development, either in the form of online learning, further courses and/or attending an annual conference. 

Along with your license, you will receive a comprehensive manual of course notes and information, and continued access to the online lessons. 

Please see the FAQ page for much more information about the various aspects of the course.