Paddle Canada National Stand Up Paddleboard Program
Explore the world of stand up paddleboarding with Paddle Canada’s nationally recognized program, designed to build confidence, safety, and technique for paddlers of all backgrounds.
The Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Program begins with the Flatwater 1 SUP Skills course in calm sheltered conditions and progresses in steps to advanced touring skills on open water in rough conditions. Additionally, the paddler can seek advanced skills in the river and surf streams. The complete program also includes instructor and instructor trainer levels.
- Skill levels are achieved by taking courses.
- Instructor levels are achieved by taking courses and may also be earned through a process of apprenticeship.
- Instructor Trainer levels are achieved through teaching experience and a process of apprenticeship.
Skills need to develop between program levels. Spend time on the water, practising what you have learned before undertaking the next course. The minimum skill set at a lower level is insufficient for entrance to a course at a higher level.
It is strongly recommended that all participants and instructors use a leash when paddling in flatwater and coastal environments. Use of a leash in river environments is at the paddler’s discretion and dependent upon the threat of entanglement.
Stand Up Paddleboard Program Recent Changes
See a complete list of recent changes to the program.
Program Development Process
The process for the development of this program included the review of recreational programs from SUP organizations in the UK and the US, as well as the canoe and kayak programs of Paddle Canada. Early drafts were forwarded to interested SUP leaders across Canada, revised and forwarded again. The final draft was approved by the Board of Directors in March 2011.
The program was developed through the dedicated efforts of early SUP leaders, and from the great work accomplished previously by generations of paddle sports instructors generally and by the other Paddle Canada PDCs specifically. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.
This is a living program; the program is reviewed annually, and an updated manual is released each winter. Minor updates may be released during the paddling season. The SUP PDC welcomes any suggestions for improvement by Paddle Canada members. Please contact us with your ideas or comments.
Curriculum Acknowledgement
The Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard Program was developed through the dedicated efforts of Canadian paddleboarders who were keenly interested in the development of a comprehensive national stand up paddleboard program. To those individuals, Paddle Canada extends a sincere thank you.
The SUP PDC has benefited immensely in the writing of this manual, from the great work accomplished previously by generations of paddle sports instructors generally and by the other Paddle Canada PDCs specifically.
Acknowledgement of the Cultural Foundations of Paddling
Paddle Canada is a community of trusted leaders that inspires connections to Canadians and nature through paddling. The bind that ties us all, the paddle, and the craft that it propels (the canoe, kayak, and stand-up board) are not ours to claim.
We acknowledge and respect the cultural traditions of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people on whose land and waters we live, learn, play, and earn.
We stand as allies to the owners of this land we call Canada, and we respectfully acknowledge how we came into the privilege to be here.