Become a Certified SUP Coach
PSUPA Flatwater Level 1 Certification Course
Gain the skills you need to teach classes confidently and safely. Our hybrid online/in person course emphasizes water safety, leadership, stroke technique, and rescue procedures, along with basics of running a SUP business.
Led by your CHESUPEAKE coaching team: Nicole Stimpson & Carleen Birnes

SPRING 2023
We restructured the PSUPA Flatwater Level 1 Certification Course into a hybrid model of self-paced online coursework and one-day in person water training.
Spring 2023 Certification Dates:
• Online course access opens 5/1
• Water practical 5/27. Rain date 5/28
• Online exam deadline 6/4
Location:
Eastern Shore, MD
Exact location announcing soon
Your certification is awarded upon completing the course. This includes passing all tests and achieving a satisfactory evaluation of your teaching, leadership skills and attention to safety. You will receive a PSUPA Certified Instructors Manual that covers everything covered in the course and more.
Curriculum:
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Water safety - emergency preparedness and rescue techniques
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Interpretation of weather and water conditions
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On-water group management and communication
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Leadership skills
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Teaching concepts and techniques
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How to teach the basic elements of stand up paddling
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Approaches to teaching students of varying ages, abilities, skill levels, and limitations
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Lesson formats and preparation
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Methods of teaching basic paddling techniques
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SUP gear and equipment overview
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SUP Business - business models and procedures, including how to start a business, insurance requirements, marketing, pricing and hiring instructors. A SUP Business Manual is included with this add-on.
Certification Requirements:
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Participants join PSUPA membership prior to attending the cert. Annual fee $85
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Participants must have a current hands-on (ie., not online-based) First Aid/CPR certification or Wilderness First Aid or Lifeguard Training prior to water training.
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Participants must take online exam after certification course. Test fee $40.
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Participants must wear USCG approved buoyant PFD for water training.
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Paddleboards are not included in the course fee. If you need to rent a board/paddle/leash contact Carleen at ches.sup.peake@gmail.com to arrange. Paddleboard package is $75 and will be delivered to certification site.
Cancellation Policy:
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Cancellations made prior to receiving the manual: Course refund minus $40 cancelation fee.
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Cancellations made after course access is granted: 50% refund of course fee.
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No refunds within 7 days of certification water training start date.
Questions about training?
Email ches.sup.peake@gmail.com
Hybrid one day practical water training + self paced online course
450 US dollars





