Sri Vijaya Puram, October 9:Â Six island residents will be selected for free international Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) instructor training after a screening test scheduled for October 10 at the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Training Centre, with applicants required to meet swimming, medical fitness and other eligibility conditions.
The Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T) has asked registered applicants to report to the centre at 6 am with the required documents. Candidates must register through the designated Google Form by 5 pm on October 9 to be considered for the screening. The selection will be based on eligibility requirements and merit, and applicants from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can apply.
Applicants must be residents of the islands and aged above 18. They must be confident swimmers, comfortable in the sea and medically fit for sustained water-based activities. Since the international courses will be conducted in English, candidates must also be able to understand instructions and complete a written assessment in the language.
A key fitness requirement is a timed 200-metre swim, which applicants must complete in under five minutes in a swimming pool at least 25 metres long.
Candidates must submit a resume or biodata, educational qualification certificates, certificates of sporting qualifications or achievements, if any, a medical fitness certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner, proof of age and proof of residence in the islands. The Directorate has stated that it will not consider applications without a medical fitness certificate.
The programme will begin with one month of intensive SUP coaching in Sri Vijaya Puram. Selected candidates will then undertake the International Surfing Association (ISA) Flat Water Stand-Up Paddle Instructor Course, which offers an internationally recognised qualification.
The training will also include the ISA/International Life Saving Society (ILS) Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course, covering international water safety standards.
The Directorate of Tourism will bear all training and certification costs for the six selected candidates, making the programme free of charge for those chosen.
The invitation follows an earlier press release issued by the Directorate of IP&T on October 1, which sought applications from eligible candidates across the islands.
Applicants can register through the Google Form at https://forms.gle/imDUoDC74z1tFeEeA. For further information, they may contact the Planning Section of the Directorate of IP&T.
