Private Surf Lesson 100% support any level 90mins is perfect time

The most useful feature here is the private coaching. Eddie adjusts the land lesson to your ability, then joins you in the water instead of sending you off with a quick group briefing. Beginners get careful basics, while advanced beginners can work on timing, balance, and longer rides.

I like the included surf photos and the practical equipment package. You get a longboard, reef shoes, a rash guard or Excel dry suit top, and a secure locker. The main consideration is price: $130 per person is more than a large group lesson, and video footage costs extra.

Key points before you book

• Private lesson: Only your group participates, so the instructor can focus on your pace and questions.
• 90 minutes in total: Plan on 10 to 15 minutes on land, about 5 minutes for equipment preparation, then ocean time.
• Made for all levels: The lesson can suit a first-timer, a nervous swimmer of the ocean, or an advanced beginner refining technique.
• Eddie’s teaching style: He is known for patient coaching, high energy, and hands-on help in the water.
• Photos are included: Video footage is available, but it costs an additional $39.99 to $74.99.
• Book ahead: This activity is often reserved about 43 days before the lesson date.

A private start near Ala Moana

You meet at Pau Hana Sailing, 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. This is the stated starting and ending point, and the location is near public transportation. Since the lesson is private, you will not be folded into a large class with strangers.

That matters most if you are booking for a family, couple, or small group with mixed abilities. One person may be standing for the first time while another has already caught a few waves. A private format gives the instructor room to switch the focus without holding up a whole class.

You should allow time to arrive, check in, and get ready before the 90-minute schedule begins. The listed ocean time starts when you enter the water, not when you first arrive at the meeting point. That distinction is useful when planning your day in Honolulu.

The first 10 to 15 minutes: a land lesson that sets the tone

Before you touch the water, the instructor gives a land demonstration lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. You go over the basic movements of surfing, including how to use the board and how to handle yourself safely in the ocean.

The lesson is adjusted to the students in front of the instructor. That is more useful than a long speech packed with details you may not need. If you are completely new, you can concentrate on the basic sequence and ocean safety. If you have surfed before, you can ask about timing, stance, or board control.

The safety briefing is especially valuable for first-timers who feel uneasy about being beyond the shallow water. One couple with no surfing experience and little comfort in the open ocean found that the instruction helped them relax and enjoy the water. That is the right goal for a first lesson: you should leave with more confidence, not just a few rushed attempts.

Use this time to ask questions. The activity specifically allows time for questions before entering the water, so do not nod along if a movement or safety point is unclear. A private lesson gives you a better chance to get a useful answer than a crowded group briefing.

Five minutes to choose equipment

After the land demonstration, the team takes about five minutes to prepare your equipment. You can use a rash guard or an Excel dry suit top, depending on what is suitable for the conditions and your preference. Reef shoes are also provided.

The included NSP longboard is a sensible choice for learning. A longboard gives a beginner more surface area and stability than a smaller, more technical board. One experienced student who had already surfed chose the more technical option and succeeded, but a first-timer should not feel pressured to use anything beyond their comfort level.

Your belongings can go into secured lockers. That removes one common beach worry: where to leave your phone, wallet, and other small items while you are in the water. Still, I would keep valuables to a minimum and bring only what you need.

Entering the water with Eddie

Once your questions are answered and you feel ready, you enter the ocean with your instructor. The description gives an average of one wave every five minutes or less. That works out to a useful number of attempts during the water portion, though conditions, ability, and wave timing will affect the exact total.

The important point is that this is not a quick board rental with a few instructions. Eddie stays involved and helps you position yourself, time the wave, and respond when things do not go as planned. For many beginners, that active help is what separates a frustrating first attempt from a ride they can remember.

Eddie’s teaching style also includes a lot of encouragement. He has worked with complete beginners, children, and advanced beginners, and he is described as patient and positive. One family noted that he spent extra time helping their son feel successful. That kind of attention is worth more than a polished speech, especially when a young surfer is deciding if the sport feels exciting or scary.

At the same time, you should keep expectations sensible. No instructor can control the weather, wave shape, or your balance. The promise of a custom lesson and frequent attempts improves your chances, but it does not guarantee a long ride for every person.

What makes the instruction useful for beginners

Surfing looks simple from the beach. Once you are on the board, the timing is less obvious. You have to read the wave, keep your weight in the right place, and stand at the right moment. Having one instructor watch your position can help you correct small mistakes before they become habits.

The land demonstration gives you a mental rehearsal before the real test. You can ask questions while standing still, then focus on the ocean once you are ready. This is a good setup for nervous first-timers, since you are not trying to learn the safety rules at the same time as you are trying to balance.

The private format also helps families. A parent can book for a child, or a small group can share the lesson while keeping the attention on its own needs. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, according to the activity information.

You should still be comfortable with the general demands of entering the ocean. The lesson provides instruction and equipment, but it is not presented as a special medical or adaptive program. If you have a condition that affects swimming or balance, contact the operator before booking.

What an advanced beginner can gain

This lesson is not only for someone who has never stood on a board. One pair with some previous experience caught many waves and sometimes rode for close to a minute. That suggests the session can offer more than a ceremonial first stand when the student already has basic control.

You can use the time to work on wave selection, staying balanced longer, or getting more comfortable in the ocean. Eddie may also ride alongside you and demonstrate technique. His showmanship is part of the fun, but the real benefit is seeing a movement performed close by rather than trying to picture it from shore.

Do not expect a formal progression through advanced maneuvers. The experience is still a single 90-minute lesson. It is best for strengthening your basics or enjoying a focused session, not for replacing regular practice.

Photos included, video available for extra cost

Photos are part of the package, which adds real value. Surfing is difficult to watch from your own point of view, and a photo can show your stance, the wave, and the moment you make it upright. The photos also give you a way to remember the lesson without holding a phone near salt water.

Video footage is not included. You can purchase a savable link for $39.99, an SD card for $49.99, or a complete edited video for $74.99. Those prices make sense only if having moving footage matters to you, so decide before the lesson if you want to budget for it.

The included photos make the base price easier to justify. If you care mainly about instruction, you can skip the video and still take home a record of the day. If you want to study your technique, the edited option may be more useful than still images.

Is $130 a fair price?

At $130 per person, this is a premium lesson compared with a basic group class. You are paying for private attention, a full 90-minute format, equipment, a locker, and photos. You are also paying for the chance to ask questions and receive instruction suited to your group.

I see the strongest value for a first-timer who wants personal help or a family that does not want to be mixed into a large class. A private lesson can reduce wasted time, since the instructor is not dividing attention among a long line of students.

The value is less clear if you already surf confidently and mainly want inexpensive board time. In that case, a rental or group option could cost less, though it would not include the same instruction and support.

Group discounts are offered, but no discount amount is provided. Ask about the current rate if you are booking for several people. Also remember that the price does not include optional video footage.

Who should book this lesson?

This is a strong fit for:

• First-time surfers who want a careful introduction.
• Families with a child who needs extra encouragement.
• Couples or friends who want a private session.
• Advanced beginners who want more wave attempts and direct coaching.
• People who value photos and do not want to carry belongings onto the beach.

It may be less suitable if you want a very cheap introduction, a large social class, or a long advanced training session. The format is focused and personal, but it remains one lesson.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though you should raise any personal safety concerns before reserving.

Weather, cancellations, and planning ahead

Surfing depends on safe conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local Oahu time, so check the time carefully if you are making changes from another time zone.

Because the activity is often booked about 43 days ahead, I would reserve early if your schedule is fixed. That is especially important for a family trip or a short stay on Oahu, when moving the lesson to another day may be difficult.

My booking advice

Book this lesson if you want one-on-one attention, clear ocean-safety instruction, and a friendly guide who will work to get you on a wave. Eddie’s patience and personal energy are the strongest reasons to choose it, especially for children, nervous beginners, and people who want more than a quick group orientation.

Think twice if the $130 price stretches your budget or if you mainly want to rent a board. The optional video charges also add to the total. For the right student, though, the private format, included gear, secure lockers, photos, and hands-on coaching make this a practical way to try surfing in Oahu without having to figure it out alone.

FAQ

How long is the private surf lesson?

The experience lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It includes a 10 to 15-minute land demonstration, about 5 minutes to prepare equipment, and ocean time after you enter the water.

Is this lesson suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The lesson supports all levels and covers surfing fundamentals and ocean safety before you enter the water. The instruction is adjusted to the students.

What equipment is included?

You receive an NSP longboard, reef shoes, and either an Excel dry suit top or a rash guard. Secured lockers for belongings are also included.

Are surf photos included?

Yes. Surf photos are included in the experience price. Video footage is optional and costs extra.

How much does the optional video cost?

A savable video link costs $39.99, an SD card costs $49.99, and a complete edited video costs $74.99.

Where does the lesson begin and end?

You meet at Pau Hana Sailing, 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.