Surfing lessons in Hawai'i

[Jenna]

Hey im a 15 year old girl and my family is planning a trip to hawai'i next winter and I was wondering if anyone knows of a good place to take lessons. I have never surfed before but I have been following the sport for about 1/2 a year now. We are probably going to stay on Oahu and Kauai.

[surf patrol]

Hi Jenna, welcome to Surfing Waves,

Are you lucky or what! most surfers dream of going and surfing in Hawaii and you are getting to surf there straight away!

I don't know of anywhere specific to learn to surf there, perhaps someone who has been can give you some ideas. Lets hear from someone who has taken surfing lessons in Hawaii.

[surferdude_scarborough]

first of all, surf patrils is right you are really lucky to be learning in hawaii. i think you should try Waikiki beach. there are lots of surf schools and a big surf culture. take a look at surfguidehawaii.com for more information.

[Jenna]

thanks guys alot.. yea i realize i am tottally lucky to be doing this and im going to be staying three places waikiki, north shore, and some where on kauai. I want to try and get lessons in all three places.

[surf patrol]

When you get back come and tell us about your experiences, and how you found learning to surf in Hawaii - I'm sure it will be useful for anyone thinking of doing the same.

[SoggyBiscuit]

I went to Hawaii start of 2003.

At Waikiki beach, had a lesson for about $30 i think. Just walk along the beach and there are a few groups there giving lessons. Just ask around where you see heaps of boards.

My first lesson was there and was on one of those huge 10-12 feet tall malibu boards. The lesson was good but not really necessary for those boards. They are really easy to get up on. However, I am a very weak swimmer so it was good to have someone watch over me.

I think the waves at Waikiki are small and good to learn on. The waves were also long when i was there.

However, where i was learning it was shallow( about 1.5 metres) and had rocks, so you have to make sure to fall flat on the water so you dont hit the rocks.

There is also a more official group to go to for lessons on that island. Apparently it is a group of firemen and I would assume that they would actually be more organised in what they teach you. I think that group was a bit more expensive.

All up, it was really fun(even on those boards). Hardest thing was to actually scope and pick the right wave to catch.

[surf patrol]

Hi SoggyBiscuit, welcome to Surfing Waves.

Thanks for the info. Waikiki would have to be one of the better locations for a first surfing lesson.