SUP Member Benefits
Much like our award-winning kayak programs, our new Stand Up Membership gives you up to two years to master stand up paddlboarding at your own pace--with lots of coached practice between classes--and free board and gear rentals (which we bring to the water for you). Greg "Suggs" Miller is our SUP Director, head instructor, and a pioneer of the sport in the DC region. Here's wasSUP with our SUP community:
Up to two years* of member benefits, including:
1. Four outdoor lessons (choose the dates that work for you)
2. FREE Coached Weeknight Practice (with social hour afterward)
3. All stand up paddle equipment (for classes & practice)
4. FREE stand up paddle board rentals at our retail store (May-Sept)
5. 10% discount on paddling gear at our retail store
We offer the best instruction on the best boards. Each of the four courses serve as a building block for the next. Go as fast as you want over a two-year period, and paddle as much as possible between courses. (Our software lets you customize your own schedule online.) All equipment is provided and brought to the lessons and weeknight practices for you. Please review the individual course descriptions below.
 How to Schedule Your Courses
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Step 1
Select the quantity of participants you want to register for a particular trip or class and click "purchase and enroll."
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Step 2
On the next screen enter your registration information. Review your order and click "Charge Credit Card" if everything looks okay. This creates a credit for you in our system. Your payment will be processed and you will be sent an email with your login information.
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Step 3
You should now have received 2 emails from us. Read the first email, "Potomac Paddlesports Account," and write down your username and password.
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Step 4
Using your username and password, log in to the website. You will be taken to your account page. In the "Schedule-at-a-Glance" window, click "Schedule My Trips/Classes".
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Step 5
On the scheduling tool page, under "Available," choose from among the available dates for your event. Doing so will add you to the roster for that trip or class. You must cancel or reschedule at least 3 days (72 hours) prior to the event or you will forfeit the trip or class.
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Step 6
Once you schedule yourself for a class, you will get a third email from us ("IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION"). This email contains a link to a PDF packet of information: Directions, list of equipment, waiver and medical form. Print out this packet and review it prior to your event.
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Step 7
If you registered more than one participant, forward the second email ("Purchase Confirmation/Gift Codes") to the other participant(s). This email contains a GIFT CODE and instructions. They MUST follow the instructions in this email and complete Steps 3 - 6 themselves.
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Step 8
Are you thoroughly confused? No problem. We're here to help! Give us a call and we can walk you through the process and answer any questions you have--the old fashioned way!
SUP 101-104 Course Descriptions
SUP 101: FUNdamentals
This three-hour lesson includes a few fun facts about the history of the sport, terminology, and a thorough orientation to the three primary pieces of equipment: board, paddle, and pfd. You'll also learn how to properly inflate, lift, and carry a stand up paddleboard, as well as proper launching and landing techniques. We also discuss trim and we practice standing and falling. Various stances are practice, and turing and propulsion strokes are introduced. All will culminate in a casual paddle around the scenic Widewater area of the C&O canal.
2013 Dates (Choose one):
Time : 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM
April 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 10, 17, 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21, 28
Time : 8:00 AM only
May 5, 19
June 2, 16, 30
July 14, 28
August 18
September 1, 15
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Class Ratio : 5:1
What to bring : Proper apparel is required.
Click for directions, waivers, and gear list 
FREE: Coached Weeknight Practice Sessions
Coached weeknight practice gives you free access to our coaches and our boards in a comfortable setting designed to help you master the strokes and maneuvering techniques covered in the courses. In addition to skills refinement, we'll have various drills to improve your flexibility and strength--perhaps even a race or two. For many members, the most important part of weeknight practice is the social hour afterwards. All equipment is provided for you on site--simply show up dressed to paddle!
2013 Dates:
April 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
August 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Time : 6:00 PM (5:30 PM September 7 - October 8)
Prerequisites : Membership and completion of SUP 101
Click for directions, waivers, and gear list
SUP 102: Strokes and Maneuvering
This three-hour course is like a tai-chi lesson, only standing on a board while using a paddle. All strokes are practiced with the intent of developing a precise and smooth technique, including sweeps, draws, braces, and the C-stroke. Repetitive movement--wax on, wax off--will help build muscle memory until you perform each stroke like a pro. Students will be challenged to demonstrate board control while paddling an obstacle course.
2013 Dates (Choose one):
April 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 10, 17, 24, 31
September 7, 14, 21, 28
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Time 12:00 PM
Class Ratio : 4:1
Click for directions, waivers, and gear list
SUP 103: Advanced Strokes and Manuevers
Fundamental paddle stroke and maneuvers are refined and more advanced strokes such as sculling and the hanging draw are introduced. With these new strokes, you'll practice spinning, paddling a figure of 8, sideslipping, turing on the move, edging, and more in this three-hour course.
2013 Dates (Choose one):
May 5, 19
June 2, 16, 30
July 14, 28
August 18
September 1, 15
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Time : 12:00 PM
Class Ratio : 4:1
Click for directions, waivers, and gear list
SUP 104: Safety In Open and Moving Water
This four-hour course will introduce you to essential knowledge and safety techniques for open water and moving water stand up paddling. Learn how wind, tides, and current affect stand up paddlers then learn and practice self and assisted rescue techniques. Each student will perform a solo deep water rescue. Then, this small class will embark on a gentle introduction to the moving water of the Potomac where students will begin to develop an understanding of how to read current and attain upstream. Helmets, elbow bads, and knee pads are provided for the moving water component of this fun-filled lesson on the Potomac.
2013 Dates (Choose one):
May 19
June 16
July 14
August 18
September 1, 15
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Time : 12:00 PM
Class Ratio : 3:1
Click for directions, waivers, and gear list
*Completion of this course marks your "graduation" from the program and the conclusion of equipment rental and use benefits.
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Awards & Accreditations
Potomac Paddlesports is proud to be an award-winning, charter ACA Pro School.
Conservation Partners
A percentage of all sales from our stand up paddle program goes to support the Washington, DC chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Potomac Paddlesports teaches and practices Leave No Trace ethics in all our programs.
Be Prepared!
Below are some products that we frequently recom-mend to our beginning whitewater students. Have a look, and if there's anything else you need to make sure you're ready for your sessions on the water, we've got a ton of gear over in our online store! Check it out!
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