Surfing Waves

Hi,

I'm going to Oahu in July and would like to hear some tips on a decent school that will take you on private lessons to different breaks around the island.

I'm based at Waikiki beach, so preferably someone based there or able to do pick-ups.

My level is beginner / intermediate. Still struggling with consistency in catching green waves and my pop-up sucks , but I don't feel the classic beginner courses are helping me advance much more. I think what I need is someone able to push me a little and to surf different conditions.

Any tips which of the one gazillion surf schools there I should approach?

Yours sincerely

Thomas

Hans Hedderman surf school down by the zoo side of waikiki, i'm sure they can hook you up with someone with patience to teach. they have plenty of young talent down there. Good Luck, we might have some wave for you too...

I have surfed in Waikiki for over 20 years. Know most of the Beach Boys and surf instructors. I also delivered surfboards to most of the rental schools all across Oahu. I have friends who do private surf lessons.

CDQ wrote:My level is beginner / intermediate. Still struggling with consistency in catching green waves and my pop-up sucks

Just so that you're not fooling yourself ( cause you ain't going to fool the instructor once he sees you paddling ), YOU are NOT a beginner/intermediate. You are a beginner. Not even a Novice. An Intermediate can do half of what an Average surfer can. You said yourself you can't catch open face waves, so you mainly ride the soup/white water. You said your "Pop Up sucks", thus everything before the pop up like paddling, reading waves, timing ALSO sucks. Thus everything after the Pop Up, like bottom turns, trimming, cutbacks are totally out.
So why would you need an advanced lesson, when you can barely do the Basic ? Be honest with your skill level when you talk to your surf instructor.

CDQ wrote:would like to hear some tips on a decent school that will take you on private lessons to different breaks around the island.

In July, the North shore is FLAT. East side is usually wind generated swells and rocky shores. West side is the wild west, and if you happen to be "one Haole" and also a Kook, you're not going to survive there. So that leaves the South shore. Ala Moana and Kewalos are good but nothing that Waikiki can't give you. If you can't get Canoes down, then don't even try Queens. Both spots will give you fun long rides. If you don't like all the lesson boards, then try Pops, but can you paddle for 25-30 minutes to make it out there ? Diamond Head is good but a far far paddle and hard on windy days and low tide.
My advice is to learn one spot really good. Get that place wired. Know the ins and outs. If you keep jumping from place, you'll just spend time figuring the place out and then time to go home. You think by going to different spots, you'll get better, but no. It's like trying a different board, club, racket, bike everyday on a different course, track, field.
Too bad, I'm currently in Japan. I could get you trimming across the face, no problem.

true dat, waikikikichan