Upgrade Package Overview
This is for students who've already taken the Stand Up Paddle Fundamentals class and want to upgrade to the Stand Up Membership Package. Our Stand Up Paddle Membership Package gives you two years to master stand up paddling at your own pace, and all without owning your own gear! We really care about helping everyone learn, including the "slow learners". Here's what you get when you upgrade to the Membership:
Two years of award-winning instruction, including:
1. Four outdoor lessons (choose the dates that work for you)
2. Weeknight practice (with social hour afterward)
3. All stand up paddle equipment (for classes & practice)
4. Free stand up paddle rentals (May-Sept) and great service at our retail store
This is a lifetime membership to a friendly local stand up paddling community, with the highest quality instruction, the best equipment, and learn-at-your-own pace scheduling. Each of the three remaining courses is a building block for the next. Go as fast or as slow as your want over a two-year period. All equipment is provided and it's all brand new each season. Our friendly, non-intimidating approach has helped make us the top stand up paddling program in the region, and our warm and welcoming student community is the perfect environment for a beginner. See below for course descriptions and details.
 How to Schedule Your Classes
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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!
Individual Course Descriptions
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.
2012 Dates (Choose one):
May 3, 17, 31
June 21
July 12
August 2, 23
September 13
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.
2012 Dates (Choose one):
May 12
June 9, 30
July 21
August 11
September 1
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.
2012 Dates (Choose one):
May 26
June 16
July 7, 28
August 18
September 8
Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD
Time : 12:00 PM
Class Ratio : 3:1
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!
2012 Dates :
May: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June: 5, 12, 19, 26
July: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August: 14, 21, 28
September: 4, 11, 18, 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
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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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