Learn to Standup Paddle Surf

Paddle Canada SUP Surf Course
Date: November 4, 5, 6
Location: Chesterman Beach, Tofino, British Columbia
Price: $525 (includes accommodation)
Participants: 10 Max.
Instructors: Norm Hann, Mike Darbyshire, Bodie Shandro

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce novice paddlers to Stand Up Surfing moderate surf conditions (<1.5m). Course ratio will be kept to a maximum of 1:4 to ensure safety and increase personal instruction time. The course will include land-based and water-based teaching sessions as well as video analysis during the evening. Topics covered during the course include but are not limited to: Surf Zone Safety, Surf Etiquette, Prone Surfing, Paddling out through the surf zone, Catching Waves, Understanding the surf zone, Paddling techniques, Surf turns, Tides.

Prerequisites:
Participants of the course should have taken the Advanced Flatwater SUP Course or have equivalent skill. Participants who have not taken the Advanced Flatwater course should be comfortable paddling in wind and choppy conditions and be comfortable moving on their board from parallel to surf stance. Skill assessments can be arranged prior to the course at the instructor's discretion.

Course Location:
The course takes place in Tofino, BC and will be run out of a house on Chesterman Beach. Chesterman Beach is an excellent location for this course as it provides a number of different surfing locations that will allow for a good progression from smaller sheltered waves to larger breaking waves. Accommodation is included in the price but does not include food or travel costs. Directions to the house can be provided upon registration.

Tentative Itinerary

Friday November 4th, 2011:
Afternoon: Participants arrive and check into the house any time after noon.
Evening: Introductions and Course objectives
Teaching sessions: Reading the Surf Zone, Tides and Currents, Intro Surf Techniques

Saturday November 5th, 2011:
Morning: Etiquette, Prone Surfing, Launching into waves, paddling in the whitewash
Afternoon: Catching Waves, Bracing
Evening: Video

Sunday November 6th, 2011:
Morning: Bottom turns, Angled take-off
Afternoon: Advanced turns, trim
Evening: Check out!

Registration
Registration will be run through Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Centre and interested participants should contact Mike at 604-929-2268. If you have any questions please contact Mike directly at 604-897-7608.