Surf lessons in Waikiki, Oahu.
Dive into the adventure of being surrounded by Hawaii’s beautiful, turquoise waters and gliding along the warm Waikiki waves. Come have fun and ride with Oahu’s most well-known surf school today!
Our Surfing Lessons
Whether you want to take a surf lesson or a guided stand-up paddle tour, Hans Hedemann Surf School has you covered. Our goal is to watch you ride the iconic waves in Waikiki while enjoying the tide and experiencing the beauty of this ancient sport.
Our professional instructors will coach you every step of the way to make sure you get the most out of each surfing lesson. We provide all the equipment for your lesson.
Group lessons
The perfect option for beginning your surfing career. Participants must be at least 14 years old and if you want to join a group lesson but are visiting on your own we’ll incorporate you to one. Perfect if you want to learn with friends.
Semi-Private Surf Lesson
Three people will be getting surf lessons with this option. No matter the skill level of any participant, your surf lesson will be adjusted to accommodate everyone and make sure instruction is accordingly.
Private Surf Lessons
A private lesson is the best option if you want more one-on-one time with the instructor. Private lessons are best for children between 5 and 14 years old, intermediate surfers that want to step it up, or even beginner surfers that require extra instruction.
Most importantly we want you to have fun while learning how to surf and make the most out of the beach instructions before heading into the water.
Our typical surf lesson is 2 hours long and consists of a technique slide show, a safety briefing, a land lesson, and time spent in the water.
- 30 minutes on land.
- 90 minutes in the water, roughly, catching waves.
If you’re visiting the tropical waters of Waikiki, surfing is a must. Our experienced surfer instructors will make sure you get as many waves as possible by pushing the back of your surfboard, giving you a burst of momentum.
After we push you into the wave you’ll hear us yell excitedly “stand up!” You’ll then use the technique we taught you on land to stand up on your board. And just like that, you’re surfing! Smile as our cameraman and drone pilot capture your rides perfectly.
Some of our students can stand up right away and others take a little longer. Either way, we guarantee you’ll be surfing by the end of the first surf lessons, especially because you’ll be doing it with friends.
Want to improve at surfing quickly?
We recommend booking a series of 5-10 lessons. Ask us about our discounted rates for booking your surf lessons in bulk.
Your First Surf Lesson
Our meeting point is at our surf shop in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, right next to the Honolulu Zoo. As we guide you out to the break you’ll enjoy the scenic view of Diamond Head towering above the Honolulu buildings.
We’ll start the lesson with a slideshow where you will be learning the basic techniques of surfing along with a brief safety overview. We’ll also provide you with reef shoes and a rash guard.
Our instructors will walk you around the corner to San Souci beach where we’ll start the land lesson. The first time you visit us we will begin with a land class, which all beginners must take before getting into the water.
In this time, we will set you up with a solid foundation based on a proven technique to get you riding waves as soon as possible.
This will help keep you safe and learn the best way to catch waves. The land lesson consists of surf drills to ensure your technique is at its best, and after stretching you’ll head into the water with all your equipment ready.
What you should bring:
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Friends
- Hat
- Towel
You can leave any valuables at our shop in your personal locker
Hans Hedemann Surf School: Your best option
You’re guaranteed to be surfing within a two-hour lesson
About HHSurf
A family-owned business with over 25 years of experience.
We are one of Honolulu’s top surf schools, founded by former professional surfer Hans Hedemann, and the perfect option to take surfing lessons when you visit Waikiki Beach.
As a family-owned business with over 25 years of experience, we offer surf lessons that are guaranteed to have you riding waves while staying safe.
We were awarded a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor in 2019 and strive to maintain a premium service for you and your family year round.
Years Experience
Private Surf Lesson
My son had an awesome surfing experience. Hugo, his coach, was outstanding! He was professional, caring, and very experienced. The staff was also great, and the photographer was the best. Thank you so much! Highly recommended!
Excellent Customer Service
Private Surf Lesson
Awesome Experience!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hans Hedemann?
Beating out top competition he soon ranked 3rd in the world for surfing. He was featured in the popular Hollywood film titled “North Shore” which debuted in 1987. After 18 years of professional surfing, he retired and decided to start a surf school.
Will I be able to go surfing by myself after one lesson?
It may take a year or two to really develop all these skill sets.
Do I need to know how to swim for the surf lesson?
How do I prepare for my surf lesson?
The surf top comes with the surfing lesson, we also have sunscreen available for purchase.
We recommend eating a healthy meal and drinking a lot of water before and after the lesson.
How do I book a surf lesson in Waikiki?
To book a lesson just call 808-924-7778 or book directly on this website. We have 3 available sessions per day. We look forward to hearing from you!
Where are you located?
If you’re looking for an adventure, learning to surf in Waikiki is the perfect activity. The waves here are world-famous, and surfing is a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian weather.
While surfing can be challenging, it’s also incredibly exhilarating and rewarding. And what better place to learn than in Waikiki, where you can find some of the best surfing conditions in the world?
While you can certainly try to surf on your own, we highly recommend taking a surf lesson from a professional. That way, you can learn the proper techniques and safety measures. Plus, surfing is more fun when you’re with friends! Luckily, we offer the best surf lessons in Oahu! So grab your friends, hit the beach, and start learning how to surf!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore all that Waikiki has to offer. There are a lot of surf spots for advanced surfers to enjoy, and the views from the water are simply incredible. So whether you’re a surfing novice or a seasoned pro, surfing in Waikiki or is an adventure you won’t want to miss. We also offer North Shore surf lessons!
If You’ve Dreamed of Getting out onto the Waves, Of Connecting with Mother Nature, Basking in the Sun, and Living the Surfing Dream, But Don’t Know Where to Get Started. Then You’ll Want to Read the rest of this Page…
Let’s be honest…
You’ve probably been thinking about getting out on the waves for a long time now. It’s at least a part of why you chose Oahu as your vacation spot. The sunlit shores, the white sand beaches, the luaus—
They’re all fantastic.
(Especially when you dig into some poke and have a great time with the locals.)
But there’s little more exciting than the thought of getting out on the open waves. Of becoming one with the board, and the ocean, enjoying being swept along as you spend an afternoon in the sunlight.
But, there’s one big problem— you have no idea how to surf, and with new schools popping up all over the island, you’ve got too many choices to narrow down.
Which is exactly why you should be signing up for classes at Hans Hedemann Surf.
We’ve been in the industry for 28 years now, having been founded by former #3 world ranked Pro surfer, Hans Hedemann himself.
So far, we’ve successfully helped thousands of new surfers like you catch their first wave inside of a single afternoon. Instead of being told to “learn to paddle” for 2 hours, just to come back the next day, and spend more time getting acquainted with sitting on a board.
Here’s What You Can Expect From Us:
- Fun, Engaging Lessons With Experienced Teachers
We’ve hand-picked the most entertaining, patient, and people-oriented surf instructors on the island. All of our staff has been around for some time, and understand exactly what it takes to make a great day on the waves for our guests.
- Stand on Your Board and Ride Your First Wave in just 2 Hours
We’ve built a proprietary system for slashing the typical learning curve by over 65%, meaning that you won’t have to spend a week in surf lessons before you catch your first wave. We’ll have you up and riding in less than 2 hours!
- A Stellar Safety Record
We put safety first and foremost above all other things, but luckily, staying safe out there is pretty simple. Just listen to your instructor carefully, and stay with the group.
- A Fantastic Workout
You’ll have a fun, engaging, and relaxing session out on the waves, simply paddling the board around will give you all the exercise you need.
Studies have shown that surfing burns up to 500 calories per hour, and can keep your metabolism revved up for up to 48 hours after a session. Turning you into a fat-burning furnace while you sleep.
(A nifty bonus for an afternoon on the waves)
Enjoy Getting in the Zone and Mental and Physical Healing Benefits of Flow State
Surfing is one of the simplest ways to get into Flow State. Being in tune with the rhythm of the waves is an almost spiritual experience, that disconnects us from worries and thoughts, and reconnects us to the most powerful parts of our subconscious mind. This new connection triggers a powerful cascade of neurotransmitters and hormones that gets us in tune with our true selves. Triggering healing from mental and physical ailments.
Steven Kotler famously credits his success in fending off Lyme disease to the internal changes that happened during flow state— Which he triggered while surfing.
So, if you’re looking for a fun way, to connect with native Oahu, keep the holiday weight off, and build a new connection with your higher self, then sign up for a session with us now.