Open Water SUP Instructor Assessment

The open water SUP instructor assessment – is designed to qualify instructors to be able to lead groups of sup paddlers in an open water environment in winds up to and including force 4.  

First of all, the SUP Inland Open Water Leader is open to anyone with experience of paddling in inland waters. The award will enable you to lead fun, safe and enjoyable trips for groups of paddleboarders, with a range of experience.

As a Leader you will lead paddleboarders with a range of experience.

This will be on trips based on their needs in a moderate inland open water environment.

As a result of becoming a Leader; you can choose to work:

• Independently
• Be deployed by a:
  • Club
  • Centre
  • Organisation

Before booking on to the open water sup instructor assessment course please ensure you meet the pre-requisites. You need to be 16 years or older. A valid Paddle UK or Paddle Scotland membership is required. It is required to have a first aid course certificate and you must also have a safeguarding course. You also need to ensure you have registered for the award through your national governing body.

We would normally meet at 09:00 in the morning at the venue discussed. One example would be Loch Insh Church car park. The Open Water SUP Instructor Assessment is a 1 day assessment that consists of personal paddling, leadership, rescues and background knowledge as well. This takes place in an open water environment like Loch Insh or Loch Duntelchaig.

If you need help sourcing mock clients – 3-6 then just let us know and we can help with this, if not then you are welcome to bring your own but please ensure they are able to paddle in the wind but still need led in force 4. At the end of the day you will have a debrief with your assessor and he will let you know the outcome of the day. 

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your open water sup instructor assessment:

Aviemore:

Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.

Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.

Premier Inn – always a good shout.

Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.

Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.

Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:

https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.

Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.

Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.

The course is suitable for 16 years and up and great for individuals, aspirant Instructors and club coaches wanting to expand their remit and be able to lead open water sup groups after their assessment (if successful of course). The course content focuses on leading 3-6 paddlers up to 500m from shore in force 4 winds, rescues need to be assessed as well as personal paddling skills. If you want to lead sup paddlers in open water as an instructor, then this is the assessment for you.

We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you.  However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your open water sup instructor assessment:

• Wetsuit/drysuit.
• Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
• Transportation to the venue. (We may be able to help with this though – if you need transportation please drop us an enquiry and we can see what we can do to help.)
• Lunch, water.
• Personal medication
• Everything that you wish to bring kit & boat wise as most people prefer to use their own.

Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with on the day of your open water sup instructor assessment.

It is expected normally when sitting awards like this people would come with at least their own personal equipment but we appreciate this not everyone may have things yet so we can still supply equipment if needed. We do find that people prefer to use their own.

• Hala SUP’s -The world’s best Stand up Paddleboards – perfect for the open water sup instructor – if you need
• Paddles – if you need
• Wetsuits – if you need
• Buoyancy aids – if you need
• Helmets – if you need
• SUP leashes on a quick release belt.
• Neoprene wetsuit boots – if you need
• Swimshorts to go over the top of wetsuits – if you need
• All instruction & administration fees included.
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost!