The ACA SUP Instructor Certification is recognized worldwide as an industry standard for teaching stand up paddle boarding. Once you have pass the certification exam, the certification is valid for 4 years with demostration of at least two courses taught in those 4 years and continued valid First and CPR certification.

We provide the following certfications:

• ACA Level 1: Introduction to Stand Up Paddleboarding
• ACA Level 2: Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding
• ACA Level 3: Coastal Stand Up Paddleboarding
• ACA SUP Yoga Endorsement
• Paddlesport Safety Facilitator (PSF) – SUP Module

We highly recommend that you have a phone conversation with our instructor trainer (Mike Wang) before taking the course. Typically students will sign up for the course one month or more ahead of time to prepare for the course. The Skills Assessment is also highly recommended before the course so that you are confident that you have the technical knowledge of the course (as we will teach you how to teach during the course). You will receive a discount on the certification course if you take a skills assessment.

• Must be open to learn and receive feedback: Many paddlers have paddled in the past without any formal instruction. You must be open to instructors teaching you something that you already "know" how to do. We assume you already have many paddling and safety skills, but we will teach you everything that you need to know to become certified.
• Must be open to learn how to teach: Just because you know how to paddle, doesn't mean you know how to teach paddling. Teaching requires you know the skills competently but also be able to break them down into bite-sized pieces in an engaging way so students effectively absorb your knowledge and skills.
• ACA Membership: You must be an ACA member in order to register for the course. You will not be allowed to be in the course without a valid ACA membership number.
• First Aid and CPR certified: In order to receive ACA instructor certification, you must be First Aid and CPR certified. However, you may attend the training and be certified with continued status until you receive your First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Meeting Instructor Criteria: You must meet the American Canoe Association’s instructor criteria, and will need to undergo an Instructor Candidate Skills Assessment with us. This Assessment can be done during the training if you feel confident in your skills, or as a private lesson if you’d like some coaching beforehand.

Courses will only be cancelled when conditions are not safe for the specific level of the course, there is a storm, the air quality is at an unhealthy level, or a case of COVID-19 has been reported among students or Mike’s Paddle staff.

We will offer a full refund if Mike's Paddle cancels the training due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, or if a student cancels for any reason more than 30 days prior to the training.

Students receive a 50% refund for cancellations between 30 and 14 days prior to the training. No refund if cancellation is received less than 2 weeks prior.