Paddle Canada Manuals

Flatwater 2 Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor

This award provides national certification in the instruction and administration of the Flatwater 2 Stand UP Paddleboard (SUP) Skills program.

Discipline: Stand Up Paddleboarding Stream: Instructor Trainers

Certification Awarded

Successful candidates will receive the Flatwater 2 Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor certification.

Mandate of the Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor

The Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor is certified to:

  • conduct Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP and Flatwater 2 SUP Skills courses and to certify paddlers at those levels,
  • assist on the following Paddle Canada SUP skills courses, with prerequisite skills: River 1, Surf 1, Touring 1,
  • be an instructor candidate on the following Paddle Canada SUP skills courses, with prerequisite skills: River 1, Surf 1, Touring 1, and
  • teach stand up paddleboarding on flatwater.

Prerequisites

Age

At least 18 years of age.

Membership

Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial/Territorial membership (as required).

Skills Certification

Paddle Canada Flatwater 2 SUP Skills certification.

Instructor Certification

None.

Teaching Experience

None.

Paddling Experience

Experience beyond that of the Flatwater 2 SUP Skills course.

Minimum Course Length

2 days (16 hours) minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor trainer (IT):6 candidates

1 IT+1 IT Candidate:8 candidates

1 IT+2 IT Candidates:10 candidates

Minimum Staff and Certification

A minimum of one Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor Trainer is required to teach this course.

A maximum or 2 IT Candidates are allowed. IT Candidates must be at least a Flatwater 1 SUP Instructor Trainer.

Minimum Number of Registered Candidates

This instructor course must have a minimum of three registered candidates to qualify. This is to ensure the candidate experiences an appropriate level of group dynamics and can demonstrate competence in managing those dynamics. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Course Location

Same location as a Flatwater 2 SUP Skills course.

Environmental Conditions

Class-1 environment. See Water Classification for Lakes and Oceans.

Other Important Policies and Assessment Notes

Read the Instructor Certification section for important information applicable to this instructor course.

Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor Certification Through Mentorship

As an alternative to an instructor course, Instructor Candidates can earn certification through mentorship. The mentorship process entails working as an instructor candidate under direct supervision of a mentor who is a qualified IT on a minimum of two appropriate courses.

Refer to the section, Instructor Certification Through Mentorship for specific information on the mentorship process.

Published: March 20, 2011 Last updated: April 30, 2026