Get certified with Paddle Canada.

2026 accredited courses are all online! Sign up early and save with the early bird discount up until May 31, 2026: EARLYBIRDCOURSE2026

Enter the Paddle Canada stream to advance your potential in the SUP world. We offer courses for:

• Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 & 2 SUP Skills (formerly Basic & Advanced SUP Skills)​​

• Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP Instructor course
• Standard first aid & CPR-C​

2026 dates are:

• Flatwater 1 & 2 SUP Skills. Join us on: June 20, July 18, Aug 8 and Sep 5.
• Basic Flatwater SUP Instructor Course. Join us on: July 3-5 & Aug 21-23​

Important Info: 

1. After completing your booking you will receive an automatic email outlining your next steps. If you don't receive the email (check your junk mail first), click here for further instructions. 
2. ​Please arrive on time. We may not be able to extend your booking if you arrive too late.
3. Experiences are subject to inclement weather. If it is deemed unsafe to be on the water, we will cancel your booking and you will receive a full refund.
4. Accredited courses require a minimum of 2-3 guests to participate. The experience will not run unless the minimum guest requirements are met.

Start your journey in stand up paddleboarding stream by earning the necessary skills here. These courses are also great for the hobbyist paddlers looking to take a deeper look into stand up paddleboarding skills. When considering the bundle course vs taking them separately, there are some things to think about. The Flatwater 1 SUP Skills course is the entry point into the Paddle Canada program and is achievable for novice paddlers. The Flatwater 2 SUP Skills course is harder and we want to make sure that students get the most value and chance at success. That being said, if you are a new paddler, it might be wise to take these two courses separately and get some paddling practice in between them. If you have at least moderate experience paddleboarding, taking the bundle course might be for you. If you're not sure, reach out and ask. There have been some cases where students have failed the Flatwater 2 portion due to lack of experience and ability to demonstrate certain skills. In cases like this, there is no refund and the course must be taken again to obtain the certification. To learn more about the program, please visit the Paddle Canada website.

Please come prepared and do your research on proper clothing. You will be judged on your preparedness and clothing choices based on the weather. Water tempertures in the spring and fall can dip below 15 degrees Celsius which is considered cold water. The Flatwater 2 SUP Skills course requires you to demonstrate falling off and getting back on the board. The Flatwater 1 SUP Skills course does not require you to fall in but you should always be prepared to do so. This also means having the appropriate clothing on shore to keep warm and safe. 

Prerequisites
Flatwater 1 SUP Skills: none
Flatwater 2 SUP Skills: Flatwater 1 SUP Skills or equivalent experience

• Falling off safely
• Remounting the board
• Use of leash 
• Understanding weather and paddle conditions 
• Safety equipment 
• Injury prevention

• Lifting and carrying the board 
• Choosing and holding the board 
• Mounting a board at a beach or dock 
• Prone paddling 
• Paddling while kneeling 
• Standing up 
• And so much more! ​

• Board design 
• Board outfitting
• Clothing 
• Equipment care 
• Transporting a SUP 
• And more!

BOOK FLATWATER 1 SUP SKILLS course

BOOK FLATWATER 2 SUP SKILLS COURSE

BOOK FLATWATER 1 & 2 SKILLS COURSE BUNDLE

Become a certified SUP instructor through our Paddle Canada course. The program spans 16 hours over a weekend, with a virtual session on Friday evening and in-person training on Saturday and Sunday.
Prerequisites:

• Completion of Paddle Canada's Flatwater 1 & 2 SUP Skills courses.
• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification (can be done afterwards).

We offer an in-house First Aid and CPR-C course every three years as part of our staff training. Please refer to our upcoming schedule or contact us to join, or you may obtain certification through organizations at any other time such as the Red Cross or F.A.S.T. Rescue.
Upon successful completion, you'll be qualified to conduct Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP skills courses and certify paddlers at that level. 

Important: 
You will be required to obtain a Paddle Canada membership. To obtain a membership, visit the Paddle Canada website here. This can be done prior to or after the course. 

As a certified Flatwater 1 SUP Instructor, you will be able to:

• Conduct Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP skills courses and to certify paddlers at that level,
• Assist on Paddle Canada Flatwater 2 SUP skills courses,
• Apprentice on Paddle Canada Flatwater 2 SUP skills courses, and
• Teach stand up paddleboarding on protected flatwater with easy landing options

BOOK FLATWATER SUP INSTRUCTOR COURSE