Surf Lessons & Coaching on Waikiki & Oahu

Beginner-friendly surf lessons, intermediate to advanced surf coaching, and surf guide services, in Waikiki and on Oahu, with experienced certified instructors.

Uncrowded waves and personalized instruction for couples, families, first-timers, and progressing surfers.

A Hook Up Surfing surf school surf coaching session client surfing on a large Waikiki ocean wave.
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5-Star Rated Surf School | Established 2010 | 25+ Years Experience | Beginner to Advanced

*All photos throughout our website are from actual Hook Up Surfing client lessons, coaching sessions, and surf trips.

  • Best Surfing Instruction on Oahu = Hook Up Surfing

    We recently spent several weeks on Oahu, and had the luxury of finding out from locals and tourists who they believe is the ideal Surfing School... and we found it! It's "Hook Up Surfing" led by reknowned instructor Ivan... a longtime instructor. Ivan and Jenn are outstanding instructors... but what makes them extra special is their undying attention to safety AND unlimited encouragement and self-esteem building they give endlessly to each and every child and adult in their lessons. They are the nicest people who really care about your surfing experience... and they have great stories and insight on many things. I learned a lot about life in general from Ivan while waiting for the next wave...! They have the true Aloha spirit. And they can TEACH surfing so well. Ivan was spot on when it came to detailed, clear instruction; he was firm but fun.. and that's why he gets results. And you WILL learn to surf. They are determined!

    Ivan and Jenn go out of their way to make sure you and your family get the best surfing experience possible; it's why we returned to them. We wouldn't consider anyone else. Not ever. And Mahalo to all the locals who pointed us in their direction!—Diane D. (TripAdvisor)

  • "Best Surf Experience on the Island!

    By far, the best surfing experience in Oahu!!! Jen and Ivan will have you up on a board in no time. However, their friendliness and passion for the water, surfing and teaching will help you and family fall in Love with it. Surfing is the best way to experience the water, in my opinion.

    My 10yo son and I have been surfing with them since he was 6. And in those 4 years we have bonded so much and have become closer than ever through surfing and the fantastic experience they provide.

    Whether you want to just try out surfing for the first time or you are experienced you will learn and have a blast surfing with Hook up Surfing! - Omar A (TripAdvisor)

  • 100% recommend!!

    Wow! My lesson yesterday was amazing. Ivan was such a good instructor. He re-taught me the basics (my last lesson was last summer) and then we headed out to the water. He tweaked my ride each time until I was riding the wave into shore. He and his wife made the whole experience so much fun. They also had so much knowledge on surfing, so that when I fell of the board they knew how to fix it, so that next time I didn’t do the same thing. Overall, best experience I’ve had this trip! Thanks again, Ivan!—Julia C. (TripAdvisor)

  • Short Board Progression

    I wanted to get instruction on short boarding and Ivan delivered. I was having trouble stepping down from a long board, and Ivan was able to easily identify what I was doing wrong with my pop up, stance and turning. Progressed significantly in the span of a two hour lesson. My confidence has increased tremendously and most of all I had an absolute blast. I will be booking a series of lessons as a return customer. — Matty (TripAdvisor)

  • Best surf instructor

    Ivan was excellent. I have had multiple surf lessons in Fl, CA, and Costa Rica. Ivan gave me the best instruction and gave me better insights than the other instructors I have had. He instills confidence and gives helpful advice, and he makes everything super fun. — Stephen H (TripAdvisor)

Surf Lessons & Coaching for Every Level

Whether you’re just getting started, looking to improve, or booking guided surf sessions, our pricing stays the same. Choose the experience that fits your goals — we’ll tailor the rest.

First Time Surfing

Beginner Surf Lessons

Our surf lessons are designed for first-time and beginner individuals, couples, and families. We tailor our Waikiki surf locations and equipment to meet your needs. We use our proprietary surf instruction methods to get you up and surfing quickly while emphasizing surf safety and fun.

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Ready To Progress

Customized Surf Coaching

We have helped thousands of surfers progress, from beginners to intermediate/advanced/shortboard/longboard. We are passionate about helping you reach your goals. We select surf locations and equipment to meet your individual needs and ability level. We use our proprietary teaching progressions to facilitate rapid learning.

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advanced surfer getting a coached durfing a surf lesson on Oahu in Hawaii

Surf With A Local Guide

Surf Packages

If you want to surf the best waves and progress quickly or have an incredible guided surf experience here on Oahu, our coaching/experience packages are designed for you. We offer 10 session customized packages to help you improve rapidly and have the time of your life surfing here in Hawaii.

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  • Our lessons are taught by professional experienced and highly qualified State and Advanced Lifeguard Certified instructors that are passionate about sharing the sport of surfing. We prioritize safety and quality over quantity.

  • Not being tied to a specific location has it’s advantages. And for us that means dreamy uncrowded spots in Waikiki and around Oahu that allow us to teach you at the best location for your level on any given day.

  • Whether it’s your first time on a board and you would like to experience the thrill of riding a wave, you want a surf guide who will take you off the beaten path, or you’re trying to take your surfing to the next level, we are passionate about sharing our island home and giving you the surf experience you are looking for.

  • Surfing in Hawaii should feel personal, unforgettable, and connected to the ocean, not rushed through a crowded tourist experience. At Hook Up Surfing, our surf experiences are designed to help every surfer enjoy the ocean, have fun, and progress with confidence.

Surf Lesson, Surf Coaching, & Surf Guide Options

Surfer dropping in on a large wave at Threes in Waikiki during private surf coaching with Hook Up Surfing.

Private Surf Lesson / Surf Coaching Session / Surf Guide Service

$199 + tax and booking fee

Customized one-on-one instruction, coaching, guide service for all levels

GoPro Rental Available

Minimum age is 3 years old

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki & Oahu South Shore (select surf breaks)

20% Discount for locals, active military, emergency services, law enforcement, & federal employees

*Lessons / Coaching / Guiding on other parts of the island are available for additional $50

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Family of three children smiling as they lie on surfboards while learning ocean safety and surfing fundamentals during beginner surf lessons on Oahu.

Semi-Private Surf Lesson / Surf Coaching / Surf Guide Service

$149 per person + tax and booking fee

Customized surf instruction, surf coaching, surf guide service for all levels

GoPro Rental Available

Minimum age is 11 years old

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki & Oahu South Shore (select surf breaks)

Your own party - 2-4 people per instructor

15% Discount for locals, active military, emergency services, law enforcement, & federal employees

*Lessons / Coaching / Guiding on other parts of the island are available for additional $50 pp

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Beginner Surf Lesson and All Levels Surf Coaching Series Options

Adult beginner catching a wave during a private surf lesson in Waikiki.

$129 + tax and booking fee

Small group surf instruction for those wanting to join a group lesson - for beginners

GoPro Rental Available

Minimum age is 14 years old.

2 Hours Duration, Up to 4 people per instructor

Waikiki, Oahu South Shore

If no one else joins the group, you will have the option to upgrade for a small fee or reschedule. Semi-private lesson upgrade fee: $10/person, Private lesson upgrade fee: $20

10% Discount for locals, active military, emergency services, law enforcement, & federal employees

Open Group Beginner Waikiki Surf Lesson

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Five surf coaching students posing together on the beach after a session in Waikiki beach holding surfboards, smiling.

Surf Packages

For All-levels of Surf Lessons, Surf Coaching, Surf Guide

Whether you're catching your very first wave or working toward your next level, or just looking to have a great time surfing on Oahu, our packages are designed to meet you where you are.

Some surfers use packages to surf every day while on vacation, some are locals or long-term visitors building confidence and progressing faster, and others use them for surf guiding, fine-tuning technique, improving wave selection, or making the most of their time in Hawaii.

No matter your experience level, our package pricing stays the same. The goal is simple: more time in the water, more opportunity to improve, and the flexibility to shape the experience around what you want most.

Choose the package that fits your goals, and we’ll take it from there.

10 Surf Lesson / Surf Coaching / Surf Guide Service Series

South Shore Private 10 Surf Session Series: $1550 per person

South Shore Semi-Private 10 Surf Session Series: $1225 per person

Outside of Town 10 Surf Session Series: $1900 per person

*+ tax and booking fee, non-transferable, GoPro rental available

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About Hook Up Surfing

Ivan founded Hook-Up-Surfing well over a decade ago. Ivan started working as a Waikiki Beachboy in 1986 and has taught a countless number of people how to surf since then. A number of those he taught over the years picked up the sport and have progressed to riding larger waves and shorter boards. Many now surf regularly. Ivan’s passion for surfing and giving the gift of surfing to all ages and abilities shows, which is why his instruction is often sought by visitors and locals alike.

Hook-Up-Surfing uses its own unique teaching progressions to make learning to surf a fun and enjoyable process for all ages and levels.

Hook-Up-Surfing Reviews: Trip Advisor, Google, Facebook, Yelp

Ivan founder of Hook Up Surfing, surfing on a wave in the warm Hawaiian ocean.

Photos

Three children lying on relaxing on surfboards in the beautiful Waikiki waters after their surf lesson with Hook-Up-Surfing, smiling at the camera, with the Waikiki skyline, a sailboat, and Diamondhead in the background.
A Hook-Up-Surfing surf student surfing on blue ocean waves in Waikiki with the Hyatt and Diamondhead in the background.
A young advanced coaching student surfing on a shortboard riding a wave in Waikiki
Ivan coaching a client learning to shortboard from behind during a surf lesson on the South Shore of Oahu on a sunny Hawaii day.