Coastal Journeying - Stand Up Paddleboarding

Coastal Journeying - Stand Up Paddleboarding Skills Course

Aim
Stand Up Paddleboarding Coastal Journeying (“SUP-CJ”) introduces participants to paddling and navigating in a coastal environment. The emphasis is on knowledge, navigation and safety skills. The course expands on concepts introduced in the Advanced Flatwater course (“SUP-AF”) and applies them to a more dynamic coastal environment.

Prerequisites
Advanced Flatwater Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP-AF) course or equivalent experience.

Course length
6-8 hours, or more at instructor’s discretion. Successful participants will receive the “Stand Up Paddling Coastal Journeying Skills Award.”

Class ratio
1 instructor: 6 participants.

Conditions
• Moderate winds (12-19 knots)
• Combined sea state near 1-metre with a moderate, occasionally rough sea state.
• Surf ≤1-meter.
• Current < 3 knots

Location
Moderately exposed coastline with semi-frequent easy landing opportunities.

Assessment
Evaluation is ongoing throughout each course. Participants can be evaluated through oral test, practical evaluation, written test and general observation. Participants will be graded Pass, Weak, or Fail in each category. “Pass” is required on all categories, but one “Weak” skill may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor.

Overview
Safety skills
•    Safety Equipment
•    Group Management
•    Communication
Paddling skills
•    Stroke efficiency for longer distances
•    Breaking through waves
•    Catching waves
Knowledge
•    Navigation
•    Board design
•    Journeying Equipment
•    Outfitting a board for journeying
•    Tides and Currents
•    Reading the surf zone
•    SUP Heritage