Stand Up Paddling Membership Package

Overview

Our Stand Up Paddleboarding Membership gives you access to our thriving community and a lifetime of coaching to master stand up paddlboarding at your own pace--with lots of coached practice between classes--and free board and gear rentals! Our progression is methodical and has evolved from thousands of hours of teaching beginners to appreciate how proper technique makes paddleboarding more fun. Check out the great benefits that you get when you register to become a member today:

Enjoy over one year of member benefits*, including:

  1. 8 hours of on-water instruction during 4 high-quality lessons - very flexible self-scheduling!
  2. Ulimited coached weeknight practices (plan on Potomac Pizza afterward)!
  3. FREE use of new paddleboard and equipment during lessons and coached weeknight practices!
  4. Discounted paddleboard and equipment rentals for additional practice!
  5. Discounts available on paddleboards and gear purchased at Earth River SUP in Bethesda, MD

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 the course of a year, 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. Watch the video and read the individual course descriptions below.

SUP 101-104 Course and Practice Descriptions

SUP 1: FUNdamentals

Join us for an engaging two-hour lesson where you'll dive into the rich history of stand-up paddleboarding, learn key terminology, and get familiar with the three essential pieces of equipment: the board, paddle, and personal flotation device (PFD). We'll show you the ropes—how to properly inflate, lift, and carry your paddleboard, plus tips for launching and landing smoothly. You'll also get hands-on practice with different stances and turning techniques, as well as propulsion strokes. To wrap things up, we'll enjoy a leisurely paddle on the beautiful Potomac River. It's the perfect way to put everything you've learned into action while soaking in some stunning scenery!(Pick from multiple dates offered to attend one lesson.)

2026 Dates

  • May* 9, 17, 31
  • June 14
  • July 5, 19
  • August 2, 16, 23
  • September 6, 13

Includes : Board, paddle, personal floatation device.

Important : Students must be on time at the correct location and fully prepared to participate.

Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD

Time : 8:00 AM

Duration : 2 hours

Class Ratio : 6:1

FREE: Coached Practice

Coached 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!

2026 Dates

  • June 4, 25
  • July 16
  • August 6, 27
  • September 10

Includes : Bring your own gear, or contact us for a rental.

Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD

Time : 6:00 PM (5:30 PM in Sep)

Duration : 2 hours

Prerequisites : SUP Membership and completion of SUP 101

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUP 2: Strokes and Maneuvering

This two-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.(Pick from multiple dates offered to attend one lesson.)

2026 Dates

  • May* 24
  • June 7, 21
  • July 12, 26
  • August 9,30
  • September 20

Includes : Board, paddle, personal floatation device.

Important : Students must be on time at the correct location and fully prepared to participate.

Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD

Time : 8:00 AM

Duration : 2 hours

Class Ratio : 6:1

SUP 3: Advanced Strokes and Maneuvers

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, walking the board, turing on the move, edging, and more in this two-hour course.(Pick from multiple dates offered to attend one lesson.)

2026 Dates

  • June 28
  • July 19
  • August 16
  • September 6, 20

Includes : Board, paddle, personal floatation device.

Important : Students must be on time at the correct location and fully prepared to participate.

Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD

Time : 11:00 AM

Duration : 2 hours

Class Ratio : 6:1

 

 

 

 

SUP 4: SUP Safety

Get ready to jump into the thrilling world of stand-up paddling with this two-hour course—where knowledge meets safety with a splash! We'll unravel the mysteries of wind, weather, waves, tides, and currents, ensuring you won't be left high and dry when it comes to open water and moving water paddling. And just when you thought it was all about balancing on a board, we'll add some flair with some nifty self and assisted rescue techniques. Spoiler alert: each paddler will get the chance to perform a heroic solo water rescue. So, grab your inner adventure and let's make waves together! (Pick from multiple dates offered to attend one lesson.)

2026 Dates

  • July 5
  • August 2
  • September 27

Includes : Board, paddle, personal floatation device.

Important : Students must be on time at the correct location and fully prepared to participate.

Location (link) : Angler's Lot, Potomac, MD

Time : 11:00 AM

Duration : 2 hours

Class Ratio : 6:1

▶ Click here for directions and what to bring

 

*Completion of the SUP 103 course marks your "graduation" from the program and the conclusion of equipment rental and use benefits - but you can still come to coached practices indefinitely with your own board and gear!