Becoming a BSUPA Instructor
Becoming a BSUPA instructor
Why become a BSUPA instructor?
Teaching any sport you need to have a professional and structured approach, for the safety of your clients and you also need to be able to inspire and teach stand up paddle surfing to a high standard.
BSUPA's aim is to create a teaching platform that combines core technical skills to teach stand up paddle surfing and inspire a new generation stand up paddlers to take up the sport in a safe and fun manner. The courses will provide a recognised qualification to water sports instructors who wish to develop their careers by teaching stand up paddle surfing. 2010 will be the first year of the Leve 1 instructors course and we will review and update the courses at the end of each season with feedback from instructors and schools.
The schemes has been developed and written by Simon Bassett BSUPA Head Coach, Andy Gratwick BSUPA Trainer, Matt Argyle BSUPA Chairman and Trainer, Chris Rea BSUPA Trainer with contributions from Neal Gent, Jeremy Waite and Chris Rainbow.
Level 1 Instructor Candidate Pre requisites:
- RYA Powerboat Level 2;
- Minimum age 18;
- Valid first aid qualification (for example RYA First Aid or RNLI);
- Riding ability, competent on a range of boards and able to surf in medium waves;
- Current member of BSUPA;
- Students without any previous water sports teaching experience or qualifications will be required to ghost qualified BSUPA instructors before certificates are issued.
Feedback from new instructors:
Simon BassettWe had a tough time getting the BSUPA coaching course of the ground – my goal was to create a professional and safe teaching platform for SUP in the UK, with Andy who is a expert in teaching instructors and the BKSA head coach, Chris Rea who has a wealth of knowledge in surf and life Guarding and Matt who worked with me to format the instructors manual made the whole project possible. What was great about the instructors course was we all learnt a lot from each other as everyone brought something new to the SUP teaching table.
Bobby Thatcher - The Source London - www.thesourcelondon.com -
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The course was informative but also a lot of fun. There was a really positive group dynamic and it was great to meet new like minded people.
Peter Stevens - West Country Watersports - 01872-275342
For me the first BSUPA instructors course was a major piece of the puzzle that sees SUP take a major leap forward in credibility. Having enjoyed, participated and introduced people to SUP over the last few years, the course reinforces BSUPA in its role as the recognized NGB and more importantly it helps SUP to stand on its own with a unique identity as a sport in its own right. Regarding the course -The content and presentation of the Instructors ticket is It was professional and comprehensive in all the relevant areas that it covered - Technique - Course syllabus, Communication, Health and safety, and a structure for future career development in SUP. I am very pleased to have this professional qualification and certainly regard it as a good investment to take my SUP involvement forward.
Jock Patterson - Tribal Wave - 07827 778914
I have been teaching for the last two years and have found the BSUPA instructors course really useful and it made me realise theat teaching the sport in flat water and in surf you need to pay a lot of attention to the safety of the students. The instructors course gave me a real insight into group control, safety methods and highlighted the importance of having a structured framework to teach in.
Andre Shorland - Torquay Wind & Surf Centre - 01803 212411
Having been involved in the early days of both windsurfing and kitesurfing, it was good to see the BSUPA set up; a well thought out instructors course with many experienced people sharing their expertise and inputting into the course. It was well structures, thorough and informative, not only covering water safety and instruction but also beach and water etiquette which is very important as this is a great new versatile sport open to all ages and paddlers whether using a beach, coaster or in land waterway need to do so responsibly and mix in with other water users.
