Stand Up Paddleboarding
Cornell Outdoor Education
Phillips Outdoor Program Center
B01 Bartels Hall, Campus Road
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-6183
Program Coordinator:
Sarah Myers sfm52@cornell.edu (607)255-3802
Class Schedule: refer to https://coe.cornell.edu/physical-education-courses
Class Description: Experience Cayuga Lake from a new vantage point. Stay active and engage your whole body. Learn
something fun in a small group setting. Our instructors will teach you all the basics including: stance, paddling technique,
turning, and more. Meet new friends, learn new skills, and experience nature all while you keep active.
Pre-requisite: Students must be comfortable recreational swimmers in order to take this class.
Attendance Policy
COE requires that students attend the first class meeting because of the critical logistics, policy, liability, and safety information
that will be covered. If you do not show up for the first class you lose your right to retain your spot on the roster, and we may
enroll another student in your place. In this event you will still be held responsible for full tuition fees, and may receive
unsatisfactory grading. If you are on the waiting list, you will only have a chance of being added to the class if you show up to
the first class meeting and a student on the roster is not present.
We expect all students to be on time and ready to participate at the start of class. Students may only miss one class to earn a
satisfactory grade for PE credit.
Cell Phone use is not permitted during class.
Please take time to review additional Cornell Outdoor Education Course Policies.
Things to Bring to the First Class
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Shoes that you don’t mind getting wet (water shoes, old sneakers, or sandals that strap to your feet work great. No flip
flops please). Neoprene booties can be issued from COE at the first class meeting.
Dress for the weather and for getting wet in the lake. Class will be held outside even if it is raining. Synthetic noncotton layers are recommended. Wetsuits and splash jackets can be issued from COE at the first class meeting.
Sun glasses, brimmed hat, sunscreen. The sun’s reflection off the water can be intense.
Water bottle & snack
Completed Medical Form
Stand Up Paddleboarding Curriculum
GOALS:
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Students should have fun and develop an appreciation for stand up paddleboarding.
Students should gain an understanding of basic stand up paddleboarding skills as identified in the core curriculum.
Students should learn about safety precautions and considerations for planning a stand up paddleboarding outing
Excitement for further pursuit of stand up paddleboarding
CURRICULUM NOTE: We recognize that weather, conditions, and student characteristics (previous experience, physical ability,
group dynamics, etc.) will partially dictate what can be covered in a given class. This is an introductory course and topics covered
may include the following:
 SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
___ Emergency procedures
___ Rescue priorities: people, boards, paddles, gear
___ Identify & avoid common hazards: bridge abutments, low head dams, boat traffic, rocks, shallow water
___ Hypothermia (prevention, recognition & treatment) & Hyperthermia, sun protection, hydration
___ Lightning protocol
___ Taking into account wind, waves, weather, and water
___ Lead and sweep boards / pod travel
___ Communication: paddle/hand & whistle signal
___ Knowledge of PFD laws
___ Swimming comfort and confidence
___ Proper falling techniques, remounting board
___ Warm up and stretching
___ Tick checks
___ Invasive species an minimizing spread from one body of water to another
 SUP EQUIPMENT
___ Board & paddle terminology
___ Fitting & securing a PFD
___ Use of board leash
___ Board carrying technique
___ Personal equipment: dressing for swim, layering, hydration, food, sun protection, footwear
 SUP SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
___ Launching & landing
___ Board trim awareness
___ Prone position with paddle blade under chest, hand paddle
___ Kneeling paddle
___ Standing and balance: neutral stance, offset surf stance
___ Power Strokes: forward & reverse, cross forward stroke
___Turning & Correction Strokes
___ Draw & Cross Board Draw (to nose, neutral, tail, sculling)
___ Sweep & Reverse Sweep
___ C Stroke
___ Bracing (low, high, sculling)
___ Pivot Turns (sitting, standing (stationary & moving)
___ Moving around the board – cross stepping
 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
___ COE’s mission “Teamwork, leadership, and growth through outdoor experience”
___ Experiential learning, comfort zone, and challenge by choice models
___ Full value contract & Expedition behavior
___ Learning about natural history, flora & fauna, etc.
___ LNT Principles