As SUP belongs more popular, SUP instructors are in demand. 
 
Given the range of SUP locations, ASI, the world's leading surfing education and accreditation organisation, has identified and developed a guide to instructing at different locations.
 
These standards were developed by the ASI Head Office Education Committee comprising Jamie Mitchell, Will Anido and Darren Borg.   
 
There was extensive consultation with industry, as well as drawing on the expertise of Jamie, Will and Darren, who are also stand up paddle school operators. 
 
The main focus, of course, was safety for the students and the general public.
 
Five SUP instructing locations were identified:
1.      Enclosed flat water
2.      Ocean  - dead flat water
3.      Ocean  - flat water with minimal swell
4.      Ocean - surf (non busy) location
5.      Ocean - surf (busy) location
 
 
1. Enclosed Flat Water Location
 
Location Description:       Creeks, rivers, lagoons, estuaries
 
Instructor Qualification:  ASI Level 1 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) plus current water rescue (flat water or surf rescue) and senior first aid certificates.
 
Student to Instructor Ratio:  Maximum of 8 clients to 1 accredited SUP instructor.  
 The instructor is to be, on a board, in the water close to the clients at all times.
 
Client Spacing:    No more than 8 clients (1 group) to be in the one place in the water, at any one time. 
Groups to be separated by a minimum 100  metres  (150 ft). 
 
 
2.  Ocean  - Dead Flat Water
 
Location Description:  Protected ocean locations (i.e. bays) with no breaking waves and no swell.
 
Instructor Qualification:  ASI Level 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Surf) plus current surf rescue  and senior first aid certificates
 
Student to Instructor ratios:  Maximum of 8 clients to 1 accredited SUP instructor.  
The instructor is to be, on a board, in the water close to the clients at all times.
 
Client spacing:  No more than 8 clients (1 group) to be in the one place in the water, at any one time. 
Groups to be separated by a minimum 100  metres (150 ft).   
 
 
3. Ocean  - Flat Water with Minimal Swell
 
Location description:  Protected ocean locations (i.e. bays) with no breaking waves and minimal swell - less than 15cm (6 inches).
 
Instructor qualification:  ASI Level 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Surf) plus current surf rescue and senior first aid certificates
 
Student to Instructor ratios:   Maximum of 3 clients to 1 accredited SUP instructor.     
The instructor is to be, on a board, in the water close to the clients at all times.
 
Client spacing:  No more than 3 clients (1 group) to be in the one place in the water, at any one time. 
Groups to be separated by a minimum 100 metres (150 ft).   
 
 
4. Ocean - Surf  (Non Busy) Location
 
Location description:  Unbroken "soft" waves no more than 1 ? feet (1 metre).
No other water users within a 100 metre (150 ft) radius of lesson. 
 
Instructor qualification:  ASI Level 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Surf) plus current surf rescue and senior first aid certificates.
 
Student to Instructor ratios: Maximum of 2 clients to 1 accredited SUP instructor. 
The instructor is to be, on a board, in the water close to the clients at all times.
 
Client spacing:  In any 100 metres of surf, there must be no more than 2 clients (1 group), at any one time.  
Lesson to be conducted a minimum of 100 metres (150ft) from other SUP instructors providing lessons.
 
 
5. Ocean - Surf (Busy) Location
 
Location description:  Unbroken "soft" waves no more than 1 ? feet (1 metre).
 
Instructor qualifications:  ASI Level 2 Stand Up Paddle Instructor (Surf) plus current surf rescue  and senior first aid certificates
 
Instructor to student ratios:   Maximum of 1 client to 1 accredited SUP instructor. 
The instructor is to be, on a board, in the water close to the clients at all times.
 
Client spacing:  In any 100 metres of surf, there must be no more than 1 client at any one time.
 Lesson to be conducted a minimum of 100 metres  (150 ft) from other SUP instructors providing lessons.
 
ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) is the worlds leading surfing training and accreditation organisation, specialising in surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.  They are the only organisation worldwide to have developed and identified skill levels from entry level to Master Stand Up Paddle coach as well as extensive procedures for stand up paddle school operations.   
 
More info at:
ASI: www.academyofsurfing.com
Jamie Mitchell School of Paddle & Surf:  www.jmsurf.com
Will Anido & Darren Borg : Central Coast Stand Up Paddle Boards