Learn to SUP Surf!

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Duration

6-8 hours

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About

Learn To Catch Your First Waves On A SUP Or Take Your SUP Surfing To The Next Level. Level 1 SUP surfing lessons: Experience the exhilaration of catching and riding waves on a paddleboard, nothing can compare to this feeling. Our stand up paddle board lessons cover the basics of SUP Surfing. The focus is staying safe, covering the basics of control and catching some great waves! Let us lead you into the surf. We teach the required skills to accelerate, drop in, surf waves and to safely get back out through the breaking waves once you’ve caught rides in.

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What to Bring

• Surf style board, paddle and leash is included or bring your own. A wetsuit, boots, hood and gloves can be rented.
• Wear swim wear, board shorts, rash guard for under a wetsuit
• Bring a towel, change of clothes
• Make sure you have a strap for your glasses or leave on shore
• Leave your electronic keys, phone, etc. on shore.

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Your Session Includes:

• Expert instruction from Paddle Canada SUP instructors. Group sizes are kept small (4 people max per instructor).
• Location will be selected to ensure the best surf and learning conditions.

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Who Can Join this Session?

Anyone with Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Skills or equivalent experience and knowledge. SUP Surfing sessions are ideal for confident paddlers that ready for the next level challenge!

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Course Details

Surf 1 Safety Skills Falling off safely — The paddler will demonstrate confidence falling off the board in surf conditions while maintaining control of the board and paddle. The paddler will fall flat in shallow conditions and surface with their head covered. Remounting the board — The paddler will remount the board quickly in between waves, not allowing the board to get between the paddler and an incoming wave. Use of a leash — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of the benefits of using a leash in the surf zone and will use one properly at all times. Landmarking — The paddler will use visual landmarks on shore to keep track of position in the surf zone.

Surf 1 Paddling Skills Foot positions and stance — The paddler will demonstrate when it is appropriate to switch from parallel stance to surf stance while entering and exiting the surf zone and while catching waves. Bracing — The paddler will use brace strokes to prevent falling off the board while entering and exiting the surf zone. High cadence acceleration — The paddler will use a higher stroke cadence in the surf zone to increase acceleration when needed. Sweep stroke in the surf zone — The paddler will demonstrate an effective sweep stroke to position the SUP to catch waves. Cross draw in the surf zone — The paddler will demonstrate an effective cross draw turn to position the SUP to catch waves. Breaking through waves — The paddler will demonstrate confidence entering the surf zone and paddling out past the breaking waves while prone or kneeling. The paddler will break through waves while standing (consistency not required at this level). Catching waves — The paddler will catch small waves and ride them perpendicular to the beach.

Surf 1 Knowledge Clothing — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate clothing and immersion gear needed based on water temperature, weather and surf conditions. Paddles — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate blade shapes and sizes to increase efficiency and aid in injury prevention. Board design — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of board features designed for surfing and how they relate to specific paddlers. Safety equipment — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of recommended safety equipment including helmets and lifejackets and when they can be beneficial in the surf zone. Tides — The paddler will find basic tide height data and begin to observe changes in the surf zone based on tide heights. Surf etiquette — The paddler will surf with ample space between themselves and other surf users. The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of the basics of surf etiquette and right-of- way rules. Reading the surf zone — The paddler will demonstrate identify potential hazards in the surf zone prior to entering such as rips, submerged hazards and rock walls. Decision-making —The paddler will demonstrate choosing an appropriate surf spot for their ability. This decision will be based on conditions such as wave height, wind, terrain and group size. Injury prevention — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of potential surfing injuries and how they could be prevented and/or mitigated. Buddy system — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of the additional safety benefits of surfing with a friend. Heritage — The paddler will demonstrate knowledge of surf heritage and how it relates to current SUP surfing.