Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP Instructor Certification

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Basic Flatwater Instructor Course is aimed at reviewing the basic and advanced Stand Up Paddle skills and safety knowledge for paddling on flatwater. If you are a passionate flatwater paddler looking to grow your paddling progression and learn tactics to reach your passion then this is the course for you. 

GOALS
This is your first step in the Instructor progression and will introduce participants to the Paddle Canada Flatwater SUP Instructor Program.  Candidates will cover the material in the Paddle Canada SUP manual for Flatwater 1 SUP and will receive personal development feedback in regards to their paddling.

OUTCOMES
Successful instructor candidates will possess skills and experience beyond the level they are teaching at the Flatwater 1 level and they will be certified to teach in flatwater. Successful candidates  will be able to lead Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 Skills courses and clinics.
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NEXT STEP: Flatwater 2 SUP Instructor (AUG 15-16,2026)
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Register

Program Price:  $465.95+GST per person
Dates:Next AUG 13-14, 2026
Instructor: Reta Boychuk 
Cochrane AB 

Mandatory
A Current Paddle Canada SUP FLATWATER 1 SKILLS & FLATWATER 2 SKILLS Certificate. If you require these please register for the Skills Certs we are offering.
AUG 12, 2026. (available to be added at checkout) 

PRE-REQUISITES

• At least 16 years of age
• Current Paddle Canada membership - paid when you register for Instructor Course.
• Paddle Canada Basic & Advanced Flatwater SUP Skills Certification 
• Current certification in standard first aid with CPR (14–16 hours)
• Experience beyond that of the Basic Flatwater skills course

A one-time fee paid to  Paddle Canada for membership:  $100 (if you are not a member already)

​INCLUDES
Program Instruction
DURATION
2 Full Days 
TIMELINES
THURSDAY & FRIDAY,      9am - 5pm (approx.)
​Please note there will be homework to be done in the evenings
INSTRUCTOR : STUDENT RATIO
1 : 6 (max)
ENVIRONMENT
Lake

Information about your evaluations:
Each item below will be assessed a pass, weak, or fail grade during the course. Before assessing each item, the instructor trainer (IT) will clearly outline to the candidates, the criteria for grading each item. A fail indicates that skill is very weak and needs major improvement to pass. To achieve instructor status, the candidate must pass all tests. One weak may be accepted at the discretion of the IT. Instructor Candidates are evaluated in the following ways:

1. Continuous evaluation of skills (by observation) throughout the course. Candidates must complete the required paddling skills with ease while clearly showing appropriate board movement, strokes, and body movement in an obvious demonstration.
2. Written and/or oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content.
3. A minimum of two demonstrations of teaching ability by each candidate, at least one of which shall be an on-water session in which the candidate teaches a course skill. The candidate must select a site appropriate to the skill being taught and to the skill level of the students. In addition, development of appropriate teaching progression and strategies must be demonstrated. Teaching topics may be previously assigned, chosen, or may be assigned at short notice from a previously issued list. The instructor trainer(s) will determine the methods and number of tests in each content area.
4. Written test of knowledge of course content of approximately one hour in length. Candidates must achieve a mark of at least 80% to pass.
5. Ongoing evaluation (by observation) of the candidate’s performance and judgment in the areas of safety, self-care, care of equipment, group dynamics and leadership.
6. A written course outline for the relevant skills course. This assignment may be submitted post-course; however, no certification will be issued until the assignment and all other criteria have been satisfied.
7. Further testing or development of the candidate at the discretion of the instructor trainer.