The ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) course is the first step to becoming a SUP Instructor. It is designed with safety as the cornerstone of your training. With over 20 years of expertise and research, this course offers in-depth knowledge and resources to help you prioritize client safety at all times.
Learn how to identify and mitigate risks, apply effective group management strategies, and respond to emergencies with confidence. From session planning to equipment handling, the course ensures you're prepared to deliver safe and enjoyable experiences for your participants. You'll gain critical skills in evaluating water conditions, enforcing safety protocols, and managing clients in enclosed flat water environments.
With ASI's international certification, you'll be empowered to combine your passion for paddleboarding with a commitment to delivering the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Qualified to instruct at Enclosed Flat Water locations, defined as:
Laws, Risk Management & Safety
Planning Sessions
Session Delivery
Client Management
Other
Before enrolling in this course:
have at least 100 hours on water SUP paddling experience.
competent paddler - able to paddle with confidence, correct technique and safety equivalent to ASI SUP Wise Enclosed Flat Water level. Paddle stroke - moderate level: 40 strokes /minute.
English speaking skills equivalent to IELTS 6
(Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.)
(Online courses have translation options).
Pre-requisite Course:
ASI SUP Wise Intensiv (Enclosed Flat Water) course
Completion of this course can be done concurrently with enrolling in the L1 SUP Instructor course, as it is a prerequisite.
However, you can only access the L1 SUP Instructor course materials or workshops if you have either completed or are currently enrolled in the SUP Wise Intensiv course.
Workshop: In person, practical and theory, with the ability to interact with the trainer and the group. Complete most assessments at the workshop and/or gain insights on how to prepare post workshop assessments.
Access to ASI’s e-learning platform is also provided to access training resources and submit assessments. Plus you get a paper copy of instructor manual at workshop.
Duration: 2 days plus post workshop assessments.
Fasttrack: Online course with an in-person workshop, that covers SUP Rescue and SUP Wise Intensiv skills certification - in a 1 day condensed format. Learn key practical skills and theory to prepare you to complete and submit post workshop assessments.
Duration 1 day.
3 courses: L1 SUP Instructor, Rescue, SUP Wise Intensiv.
Or 2 courses: L1 SUP Instructor, SUP Wise Intensive
Ideal for people who are time poor but would still like some in person contact with a trainer.
Online Learning: Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform. Complete online assessments. Upload video to demonstrate skills.
Transfer: Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification. This is an online course option.
Update: For ASI instructors whose qualification has expired (by no more than 18 months), and need to regain the ASI qualification. This is an online course option.
Online Courses - ASI's E-learning Platform
ASI's e-learning platform provides access to training manuals, videos, reference materials and assessments. Ability to upload assessment and monitor your own progress.
Face to face (in-person) training. Complete most course requirements at the workshop.
Duration: 2 days.
What We Provide
Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) manual (paper)
Logbook for practical hours (paper)
ASI membership for 12 months.
1 free reassessment
Course Requirements
At workshop:
After workshop:
Other:
The ASI Fasttrack course is an online course with a face to face (in-person) workshop.
The aim of the workshop is to cover key skills and prepare participants to submit their own video for assessment, after the workshop. Time is spent at the water with practice and demonstrations and in the classroom covering some key theory topics.
Duration: 1 day.
What We Provide
Course Requirements:
Prior to workshop
Read online training manual (highly recommended, to assist you in the workshop).
At workshop
After workshop
Note: If you demonstrate competency in SUP paddle stroke or the 1 km paddle mission test during the workshop, you do not need to submit a video afterward.
Other:
The COMBINED fasttrack course option is a one step enrolment that covers the 3 courses required to become an ASI SUP Instructor.
The ASI Fasttrack course is an online course with a face to face (in-person) workshop. The aim of the workshop is to cover key skills and prepare participants to submit their own video for assessment, after the workshop. Time is spent at the water with practice and demonstrations and in the classroom covering some key theory topics.
3 courses:
Workshop duration. 1 day.
What We Provide
Course Requirements:
Prior to workshop
Read online training manuals (highly recommended, to assist you in the workshop).
At Workshop
After workshop – SUP Wise
After workshop – SUP Rescue
After workshop – Level 1 SUP Instructor
Complete 10 hours practical experience. (1 hour signed off in workshop)
Note: you do not need to submit video post workshop if you demonstrate competency in: SUP paddle stroke, other SUP skills, 1km paddle test, SUP rescue mission test
In addition, before or after the workshop:
Time to Complete: you have 12 months to complete all course requirements.
Study in your own time with ASI's e-learning platform. Upload videos to demonstrate skills.
What We Provide
Course Requirements
Other:
Obtain your ASI qualification based on recognition of your non ASI instructor qualification.
This is an online course option.
There is no requirement to complete practical hours experience.
Entry Requirements
Submit an acceptable non ASI SUP Instructor certificate, not expired by more than 12 months. (Contact ASI for more information)
Note: Transfers do not apply if you hold a general Outdoor Instruction qualification.
What We Provide
Course Requirements
Other:
Enrolment Instructions
For ASI instructors with expired certification needing to regain their ASI qualification, this online course is an ideal option.
There is no requirement to complete practical hours or a paddle mission test.
Entry Requirements
Holds an ASI L1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) certificate – completed within the past 3 years.
(contact ASI if you completed the ASI training prior to this).
What We Provide
Course Requirements
Other:
Enrolment
The following equipment and clothing is required to complete the training:
In addition, for the Online learning option:
ASI also issues education department approved training certificates. (excludes transfer/update course options).
Australia Only
ASI is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and also issues the following certificate to students undertaking training in Australia.
Australian Department of Education. Registered Training Organisation RTO ID 91496
Statement of Attainment in Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (SIS30619)
for units of competency:
SISOSUP004 Lead stand up paddle boarding activities on inland flatwater.
SISOSUP001 Paddle a stand up board on inland flatwater.
SISOFLD002 Minimise environmental impact.
(1) Can I enrol in Level 1 SUP Instructor Course without enrolling in SUP Wise Intensiv course?
No. You must enrol in the SUP Wise Intensiv course – it is a pre-requisite.
However, you can enrol in SUP Wise Intensive at the same time as the Level 1.
(2) Do I need to complete the SUP Wise Intensiv course first?
No. The SUP Wise Intensiv course can be completed alongside the Level 1 SUP Instructor course (in other words you can enrol in both courses at the same time).
(3) Do I have to enrol in the SUP Wise Intensiv course if I am an experienced paddler?
Yes.
Starting the path to becoming a SUP instructor requires a solid foundation. While this course is not designed for instruction, it ensures that every instructor, regardless of their prior experience, possess a consistent level of base knowledge, aligned with ASI guidelines and techniques. This comprehensive preparation equips aspiring SUP instructors to confidently undertake the ASI Level 1 SUP Instructors course.
(4) I completed ASI SUP Wise Intensiv in the past. Do I need to enrol in it again?
No. We will accept your past ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate, that we have on file.
(5) How much on water paddling experience do I need to enrol into the L1 SUP Instructor course?
You should have at least 100 hours on water paddling experience.
(6) Rescue & First Aid - Do I need to complete these courses first before enrolling in the Level 1 SUP instructor Course?
No. But you will not obtain your Instructor certificate until you complete a Rescue or First Aid course.
(7) What type of Rescue Certificate do I need?
The ASI SUP Water Safety Rescue Certificate is required for all new instructors.
However, we also accept “ASI approved” surf lifesaving certificates.
(8) I hold a non-ASI SUP Instructor certificate, can I get recognition or transfer to ASI Level 1 SUP instructor.
Yes. Complete the transfer course. Read more above in “Course Requirements - Transfer”
(9) What is the difference between ASI Fasttrack and ASI Workshop courses?
Fastrack - is an online course with a short face-to-face workshop. You submit your own video assessments.
Workshops - are longer in duration and as such most of the course requirements and assessments are completed at the workshop.
Read more above in “Study Options”
(10) Time to Complete: You have 12 months to complete all course requirements.
(11) Assessment Fees: If you use up your free assessments, additional resubmissions are available for a small fee. Fees
MORE FAQ’s: click here
ASI’s unique modularised learning offers flexibility in what you enrol and pay for.
To gain your ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor qualification, the following 3 ASI courses are required:
Enrol in all 3 courses at the same time by choosing the “Combined” enrolment option.
If you already hold an approved Rescue certificate, you only need to enrol in the following 2 ASI courses:
If you have the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv certificate, you only need to enrol in the following 2 ASI courses:
Please note: you will need to enrol in these courses separately if a combined option isn’t available.
Pre-Requisite: The ASI SUP Wise Intensiv course is a pre-requisite. You can, however, complete it concurrently (at the same time) with the Level 1 SUP Instructor course. Note that you will not have access to the Level 1 SUP Instructor course materials or workshops unless you have either completed or are enrolled in the SUP Wise Intensiv course.
Rescue Course: can be completed at any time within 12 months, but must be completed before your Level 1 SUP Instructor certificate is issued.