ASI establishes the global benchmark for flat water stand up paddling instruction and activities.
ASI Enclosed Flat Water SUP Instructor Standards recommend international safety parameters, student ratios, instructor qualifications, and risk management guidelines for safe stand up paddleboarding lessons and tours in sheltered inland waterways.
Below are key operational standards for conducting safe, high-quality stand up paddleboarding lessons and tours.
Approved Location Conditions
An enclosed flat water location refers to inland waterways, including rivers, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, canals, and small enclosed harbours.
To ensure participant safety, conditions strictly adhere to the following baseline parameters:
- Water Surface: Flat water with zero swell or breaking waves.
- Wind Limits: Maximum wind speed of 12 knots.
- Current & Flow: Minimal water movement (under 2 knots).
- Water Depth Requirements: Minimum depth of 1 metre (3 ft).
- Location Boundaries:
Stay within 250 metres (820 ft) of the shore.
Keep at least 200 metres (650 ft) away from river mouths.
Required Equipment & Gear Standards
- Paddle Boards: All round flat water paddle boards suitable for skill level.
- Paddles: Properly sized paddles.
- Leashes: Coiled leashes securely attached to the board at all times.
- Buoyancy Aids: Buoyancy aids may be worn by students with low confidence and or poor swimming ability; however, wearing a buoyancy aid does not override the standard swimming ability entry requirements.
Instructor Qualification Requirements
To lead sessions in enclosed flat waters, instructors hold current credentials:
- SUP Instructor Certification: ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) or ASI Level 1 SUP Technical Coach (Enclosed Flat Water).
- Rescue Skills: Current Water Rescue or Surf Rescue qualification.
- First Aid: Current Senior First Aid certification.
- Background Check: Official background check / working with children check (as applicable to the country).
Student Entry Requirements
- Minimum Age: 8 years old (recommended baseline; instructors assess individual physical strength against conditions, ability to get back on board).
- Swimming Ability: Participants are to be able to swim at least 50 metres (165 ft) unassisted.
Student Management & Supervision Ratios
Instructor-to-Student Ratio: Maximum 1:8 ratio (1 fully accredited instructor per 8 students).
Standard Group Density: Maximum 8 students per group in the water simultaneously. Separate multiple groups by at least 100 metres (328 ft) in high-density areas.
At Risk Students (Low Swimming Ability): Recommend one-on-one private lessons in a controlled environment free from water hazards, with water depth ranging from 1 metre (3 ft) up to chest/standing depth.
Water Safety & Risk Management
- Leash Compliance: Instructors and students wear leashes at all times during sessions.
- Shallow Water Safety: Participants paddle on knees or seated when entering, exiting, or navigating water under 1 metre (3 ft) deep.
- Instructor Positioning: Instructors remain on a board in the water, positioned close to students throughout the activity.
- Hazard Assessment: The operational area to be free from environmental, navigation, and other water hazards prior to and during the session.
Operational Safety & Risk Management
The ASI SUP Instructor Standards provide international benchmark guidelines for safe stand up paddling instruction. Instructors must conduct a comprehensive, real-time risk assessment before and during every session—evaluating student physical ability, water and weather conditions, and potential environmental hazards. Standards, group sizes, or ratios must be adjusted, scaled down, or activity cancelled accordingly to prioritise safety.
