Do you love stand up paddleboarding? Have you benefited from or seen others benefit from SUP instruction and want to share that story with others? Then, use your creative eye to submit a short video highlighting why you should “Paddle with a SUP Pro!”
The Contest
The ACA SEIC SUP Committee is launching an initiative designed to grow awareness of the availability and value of SUP training with professional instructors/guides. The Paddle with a SUP Pro campaign is a grassroots video contest, and we invite each of you to submit a short video about the value of instruction. This is a win-win-win for instructors, guide services/schools, and clients, who will come away with an enhanced skill set and the ability to do more and go farther than they’d ever imagined.
Use this sample script below, or one with variations, to produce a short video (about 60-90 seconds) about why you should Paddle with a SUP Pro! The sample script may be used verbatim, rephrased for style or messaging effectiveness, or used as a guide as long as it portrays a similar message as the sample script and includes the required “Call to Action”…let your creativity guide you! The narration should feel natural and authentic rather than just read, so we encourage you to adapt the script to match your style!
Paddle with a Pro Contest Sample Script
Motivations:
- “People stand up paddleboard for a variety of reasons. It may be to relax on an inland lake, paddle to a new location, workout, hit some whitewater, surf, challenge themselves on new bodies of water, race, or just to have fun. Whatever your reason, wouldn’t it be nice to do it safely, effectively, and efficiently?”
- “Paddle with a SUP Pro to do just that!”
Opportunities:
- “Whatever your reason and wherever you choose to paddle, a SUP Pro can help you. The best athletes in the world have a coach, so why not you?”
- “You’ll learn techniques that make SUPing more efficient, effective and fun”
- “A pro can make paddling safer for you, help you learn new tricks and inspire you to love SUPing even more.”
- “By paddling with a SUP Pro, you’ll learn things you didn’t know you didn’t know.”
Problems, Inefficiencies & What To Do If…:
- “Instead of struggling to stand or move on your board, a SUP Pro can teach you key steps to stand and move confidently in a variety of water conditions.”
- “Tired of having tired, sore arms after paddling? A SUP Pro can show you how to use your larger muscles including your core to optimize your paddling.”
- “Want to have more control over your board, so you can paddle in a straight line or turn on a dime? A SUP Pro can teach you specific strokes and maneuvers that will increase your maneuverability.”
- “Not sure what you’d do if someone got hurt and couldn’t get back on their board or needed towed? A SUP Pro can teach you rescue techniques to quickly save the day!”
Call to Action [required]:
- “So, what are you waiting for? Take the next step, and book a session with an American Canoe Association SUP Instructor!”
Timeline
- May 15-June 7: Video submissions open
- June 10-15: Opportunity for contestants to modify videos for inappropriateness, if necessary
- June 18-28: Voting is open to the public
- Voting link available on June 18
- July 1-3: Winners announced!
- July 1: 3rd place video
- July 2: 2nd place video
- July 3: 1st place video
Awards
First and foremost, thank you for helping to create video content to promote SUP instruction and the ACA! Approved videos will be posted on the ACA YouTube channel with the top 3 videos featured on social media according to the timeline above. Additionally, top 3 winners will be announced based on the timeline above and receive the following awards!
- 1st Place: Inflatable SIC SUP
- 2nd Place: SUP Paddle – Carbon Fiber
- 3rd Place: SUP Paddle – Custom Wood
Contest Rules/Video Guidelines
- Submission Deadline: June 7, 2025
- Length: Minimum 30 seconds, Maximum 3 minutes
- Format: Videos must be submitted in MP4 format
- Orientation: Videos must be shot in landscape (horizontal) orientation.
- Submissions must be the entrant’s original work.
- Submissions must not contain copyrighted material.
- Video may include slides, photos, narrated and/or overlaid with text.
- Videos submitted should promote the value of attending an ACA program/hiring a professional instructor/guide. Videos are not meant to be instructional in nature.
- Videos will be screened for appropriateness prior to being posted as a part of the contest. Contest entrants will be notified by June 10 if language or imagery is incompatible with safe paddling best practices and given until June 15 to resubmit.
- Videos will have an ACA intro/outro added to them prior to voting.
- Imagery should convey accepted industry best practices. Examples: Proper life jacket use, helmets on whitewater, etc.
- Avoid imagery of ineffective technique portrayed as effective. Example: holding paddle backward.
- Avoid imagery that promotes unsafe practices. Example: a brace that puts the shoulder joint at risk, paddling with alcohol or other illicit substances present, etc.
- Contestants may submit up to 3 videos each.
- Shipping of awards is limited to the United States. Winners outside of the U.S. would incur additional shipping fees.
Any Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to SEIC SUP Committee Chair, Rachel Nagle at rmb2@clevelandmetroparks.com