Level 2: Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Course Overview The Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding course is designed to develop and refine the skills needed to paddle effectively in conditions where wind, waves and current are present. This course is also designed to increase knowledge of SUP equipment.
Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

Course Duration 4 hours (or more at instructor discretion)
Course Location / Accessible Venues

• Waterway with access to safe landing within 0.5 nautical miles/0.9 kilometers from shore
• 5 - 10 knot winds
• Note: conditions should not exceed 1 foot/0.3 meters waves or 2 knot currents

课程规模 5名学员：1名教练培训师；若增加一名合格的助理，比例可调整为10：2。学员人数上限为10人。 更多详情，请参阅《SEIC政策手册》第7章。
Instructor This course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of SUP (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators. Minimum Personal Equipment Properly fitted PFD, SUP paddle, Stand Up Paddleboard, appropriate clothing for the weather.
Succeeding Courses

• Level 3: River SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
• Level 3: Surf SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
• Level 3: Coastal SUP Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course

The following is a general summary of course content for the Essentials of Stand Up
Paddleboarding course. The content covered, and sequence of instruction should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location and time allowance. Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics:

• Welcome, introductions, paperwork
• Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
• Course itinerary and site logistics
• Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
• About the ACA
• Life jacket policy (always wear on water)
• Appropriate personal behavior
  • No alcohol / substance abuse
  • Proper etiquette on and off the water
  • Respect private property
  • Practice Leave No Trace ethics

The Paddling Environment

• Water
• Weather
• Wind
• Waves

Personal Preparation

• Personal ability
• Swimming ability
• Water comfort and confidence
• Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
• Safe paddle and board handling
• Safety and rescue considerations
• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

On Shore Presentations

• Personal clothing, wetsuits, and gear (shoes or no shoes – depends on
  environment)
• PFDs (required by Coast Guard law outside of surf zone)
• Safety equipment (whistle)
• History of the sport: indigenous roots to modern day SUP
• Develop awareness of SUP destinations (local, regional, and national)
• Board and paddle terminology

SUP Equipment

• SUP Board
  • Design (all-around, touring, racing, surf, whitewater)
  • Construction (composite, plastic, inflatable, foam board)
  • Parts
  • How to Carry: 2-person, solo handle, solo overhead or other effective means
• SUP Paddle
  • Design (intended use, blade angle, blade size, shape)
  • Construction (composite, plastic, aluminum, foam core blade, wood)
  • Parts
  • Sizing (fixed and adjustable paddles)
  • Effective hand placement on the paddle
• PFDs
  • Inflatable
  • Inherently buoyant
  • How to properly fit and use a PFD
• SUP Leash
  • Types (coiled, straight, combo, quick release)
  • Parts
  • When and how to use
• Safety Equipment
  • Dry bags, waterproof containers, deck bags
  • First aid kit
  • Repair kit
  • Communication devices (cell phones, VHF radio, etc.)
  • Sound signaling device (whistle)
  • Tow rope
  • Additional gear for your paddling environment (signaling devices, white light, hydration &
    snacks, extra layers of clothing, etc.)

SUP Safety

• 4Ws: water, weather, wind, & waves awareness
• Current dynamics and hazards (river and/or tidal)
• USCG regulations / safety requirements
• Proper warm up

Launching and landing

• Entry/exit from the beach, shore or dock (deep enough to protect fin, ease of getting on board)
• Board trim awareness (nose to tail, rail to rail)
• Awareness of body, board, and blade

Stances

• Prone position: lying down (swim position) with paddle blade under chest/belly
• Sitting
• Kneeling: paddling using double-overhand or over-under paddle grip
• Neutral with variation/slight stagger: toes forward, knees bent, between hip and shoulder width, trim nose-tail
• Board wiggle: legs act independently from upper body, head/torso remain over center of board
• Hybrid/modified stance: one foot drops back 2-3 inches (6-8 cm) enhancing rotation while maintaining balance
• Surf stance
• Board trim: transfer weight from nose to tail and rail to rail to affect momentum and maneuverability

Maneuvers

• Forward Paddling: 200 feet/61 meters paddle in a straight line without changing sides; must demonstrate on both the right and left side. (Example: canted stroke or
  other effective means).
• Reverse Paddling: Paddle backwards 2 board lengths maintaining directional control without switching hands. (Example: reverse stroke & cross nose draw combination or other effective means).
• Stop: Completely stop the SUP from a good speed in less than 2 board lengths.
• Bracing: Allowing the body to recover and maintain balance using the paddle as a support when falling towards or away from the blade.
• 360: Rotate SUP 360 degrees with limited forward & backward momentum using forward sweeps, reverse sweeps, draw to nose, and cross nose draws.
• Lateral Movement: Use draws to travel sideways (20 feet/6 meters) on both sides.
• Turning on the Move: Sweep strokes and static draws while underway to turn board
• Board Trim: Transfer weight from nose to tail and rail to rail to affect momentum and maneuverability
• Side Slip: Move board sideways while underway to avoid an obstacle (Example: Draw on the move and Hanging Draw)
• Pivot Turn: pivot 180 degrees in place with weighted tail
• Moving Pivot Turn: Pivot 180 degrees while underway with weighted tail
• Paddle a course using a variety of L2 strokes & maneuvers with an emphasis on blended strokes, controlled tight turns, and efficient board control while maintaining momentum. (Example: Figure of 8 Course or other effective means).

Strokes and Bracing Emphasis should be placed on paddle articulation, fluid transitions, utilization of board trim, and effective transfer of power from the paddle through the feet

• Forward stroke
• Canted forward stroke
• Reverse stroke
• Forward sweep
• Reverse sweep
• Draws (side, sculling, hanging draw, draw on the move)
• Draws to nose/tail and cross nose (static and dynamic)

Safety and Rescue

• Responsibility of the group, individual, rescuer, swimmer
• Rescue priorities: people, boards, paddles, other gear
• Signals: Whistle, Paddle, Hand
• Hypo/Hyperthermia
• Evaluate water comfort and confidence
• Techniques for falling
• Board remount: from side of board or from back of board
• Assisted remounts: side-by-side, board flip rescue, or other effective means
• Methods for board and gear recovery
• Towing: contact tow, leash tow, tow line, or other effective means

Day Tripping

• Trip planning: determine route difficulty and skill requirements
• Leader qualities: representing the group’s best interests and taking overall responsibility
• Loading equipment on SUPs: dry, secure, proper trim, accessible
• Route planning and navigation tools
• On water navigation
• Rules of the road

Technical Knowledge to Build On

• Use of float plans
• Environmental hazards: on lakes, rivers and oceans

Conclusion and Wrap Up

• Group debrief / individual feedback
• Course limitations
• Importance of First Aid and CPR
• Importance of additional instruction, practice, and gaining experience
• Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
• Life sport / paddling options
• Local paddling groups / clubs
• Handouts / reference materials
• Participation cards
• ACA membership benefits and join process

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