Ian Smith/SurfSUP Adventures Sat May 4th 8am to Sun May 5th 5pm Flat Water 1

Melissa Lucciola & Taylee Wilson/Yoga Love Pittsburgh Thurs May 16th 8am to Sun May 19th 6pm Flat Water 1 and SUPyoga

Rob Casey/Salmon Bay Paddle Fri May 17th 9am to Sat May 18th 5pm Flat Water 1

Chris Martindale/Anchored Mi Thurs May 30th to June 2nd Flat Water 1 and SUPYoga

Ryan Burch/SUPfari Adventures Flat Water 1 Sat June 8th 830 to Sun June 9th 5pm

Julie Devoir & Marina Barberena/Undertoe Mexico Fundamentals 1 and SUPyoga June 30 to July 2 (tentative

What is the course?

• The Fundamentals course is a striped down version of the Flat Water 1 Instructors course with a high degree of emphasis on Water Safety and Risk Management.  Intended to be taught in a couple hours to experienced paddlers (this is not a beginners course)
• This is also a certification course that ALL instructors can teach (not just the I.T.s)

Who is this course/certification designed for?

• The course was designed for all those people out there today, who are currently giving little to no instruction to the first time paddlers they interact with in their business. Most of these people leading tours or handing out equipment have had no prior training.

• Resorts
• Youth Camps
• Tour Guides
• Rental Shops
• Specialty SUP Instructors not teaching Flat Water Paddling (e.g.  SUP Yoga, SUP Pilates, SUP Fitness, SUP Fishing)

How does this benefit them?  (for your marketing)

• Enables them to learn how to do a quick briefing to get their customers on the water (and keep them safe)
• Reduces damage to their fleet of equipment
• Improves their customer’s experience (a customer that is successful is going to be more happy then one who spent the day struggling)
• Happy customers provide a much greater chance of coming back as repeat customers or sales 
• Adds credibility to their business by having trained staff
• Reduced insurance costs

Who can teach / certify?

• Flat Water Instructors
• Instructor Trainers

Do I need to get this certification to teach it?

• No -  Anyone who has gone through the Flat Water 1 Instructor training has already covered everything in the Fundamentals Course.  I have already gone in and given everyone access to the materials, forms and test.  If you do not have access. Please let me know…

Wait, what!?!  Did you just say test?

• Yes, there is an online test.  It is currently 18 multiple choice questions. Going forward, the plan is to add more questions to the pool and have the test use random questions each time, so there would be fewer questions/answer presented to the candidate.

More information about the test…

• We are using the Fundamentals 1 course as a pilot to test using the online tests. If successful, we will implement this to the Flat Water 1 Course and possibly others.  By doing this, we can:
• Ensure consistent certification and knowledge transfer amongst all of our Instructors.
• Retain proof of passing/fail at the Association level (Liability protection for both instructor and PSUPA)

Is there a cost to take the test?

• Yes, ($14.25) to cover licensing and a planned upgrade in the near future to enable offering random questions each time and other features.

How does this all work?

• Unlike the other courses we offer, the Fundamentals course can be done remotely as well as in person
• Both remote & classroom candidates will be required to pass an online test
• Classroom student will need to have their instructor sign off on their water skills
• Remote candidates will submit a video of them performing a mock briefing for students, describing the water conditions and then instructing paddle adjustments, how to paddle, how to get on & off the board, Etc…

How do I get started?

• The document is available for viewing online or downloading at:  https://www.psupa.com/members/members_main/instructor-downloads/
• We will be adding an "environmental" section into the document soon, so check back often to ensure you are using to most recent version.
• After your classroom training is complete, the instructor will submit an quick evaluation form letting us know they passed the on water portion. https://www.psupa.com/members/members_main/submit-new-certifications/
• For your students, point them to the "Pro Training" >> "Certifications" page and select the "Fundamentals" course. With the "I have my own instructor" option.  They will then submit a copy of their first aid/cpr certificate and take the online test.
• Students wishing to do this remotely (because they are no where near a PSUPA Instructor), can review the material via self paced learning and have access to a PSUPA instructor for questions or clarification.  The PSUPA instructor will also evaluate their skills via submitted video.

What do I charge for this certification?

• Everyone has different operating costs and clientele, so choose what is right for your area.  We believe a good range for this would be around $125 - $200

We have gotten an overwhelming display of support from so many vendors willing to offer us all discounts on their products.

Please do not abuse their generosity and follow the rules that they individually set for us.   (e.g. some provide discounts for "personal use only")

Please do not distribute the discount codes to non-PSUPA members

Please return the love and be sure to hashtag the vendors on your posts when appropriate.

Here are some of the great deals we now have available to us  (for the full list, check out the "Pro Deals" page under the members section of the website.  (check back often, as new supporters are constantly being added)..

• BluePlanet Surf Shop (10% off accessories)
  Amphibian Outdoor  (20% off anything)
  DolphinPack (20% off their Sports Hydration packs, clothing and accessories)
  GrassSticks (40% off bamboo paddles with a lifetime guarantee)
  GearAid (10% off products if purchased on website)
  IndoBoards 10% off products
  Kavu (50% off on bags and all their other products)
  Mile22 (30% off on the world's best tie-downs)
  MTI LifeJackets (30% off retail).
  Rusty (40% off items on their website)
  PlatinimSun Sports Apparel (20% off items on their website)
  
  ProMotion Wetsuits (40% off ProMotion products)
  SandCloud Towels (25% off discount on all products)
  Stand Up Journal  ($10 off back issues)
  SUP Buddy 40% off
  SurfCo Hawaii   (20% off wholesale for Personal Use only)
  Werner Paddles (discounts will be provided by local reps)
  Woodies Sunglasses (30% off on website orders)
  Zinka Sunscreen (15% off on website orders)
  
  Many more coming soon..........