Hans Hedemann Surf School Waikiki — Attraction in Honolulu

The reviews check out -- waves here are nice so with some basic tips, can get almost everyone surfing with a few tries, which is satisfying and fun.

I did a group class the first time around with 8 folks. they have 2-3 people per coach, so it's almost like a semi private class if you don't mind being in classes with other folks. Had so much fun did it again (this time a semi private class) with another visiting friend. This class was shorter than two hours in the end though since coach got us out of the water earlier, only realized this after we got our stuff back in the lockers tho since neither of us had watches on. I guess island time!

Class structure basically is intro and safety video in store, then walk to the beach and do some basic moves on shore, then rest of the time in the water. The in store intro and safety video is pretty standard, but really depends on who you get that is running through it (was a huge difference in how it was presented depending on who ran it! I get that they do it constantly but if you get someone who speeds through it in a bored tone ... lol not the best first impression initially)

Suggest looking up the tide schedule and avoid low tide if possible, way closer to the reef that way (got a few scrapes but all good). Also fyi there's a 10% discount for hotel guests staying at Queen Kapiolani (the surf school is based in their ground floor lobby).

Totally understand it's not possible to fully learn surfing in 2 hours, but if I had the time would want to learn how to watch the waves and catch small ones myself. In class, while the coaches try to tell you oh the wave is coming, they make it easy for beginners (and totally get this helps with the experience) by timing it for you and giving you a push when the waves come so it's easier to ride, but that's hard to replicate outside of class! Almost wish I could sign up for some kind of multiple day surf class/camp option to build on the learnings, but most offerings are...

My partner and I signed up for a private training session at the surf school. We got out to the beach and were introduced to our instructor. I think his name was Mo. He had long hair and was from California and was a terrible instructor in every conceivable way. He was supposed to lead us in stretches before we got out to the water. His way of leading us was to tell us to make sure to stretch. Once we got in the water he told us how important it was to stick together before taking off at top speed leaving us both behind. I was slow to get out to him, but did make it out. At which point he informed me the fact that I was being slow meant 'Mother Ocean doesn't want you out here' and that I should just give up and he'd take my partner for the lesson. I told him I was fine to keep going and would make it out and he yelled out to my partner that I was going to stay behind directly contradicting what I had just said to him. We caught up to him and he very unwillingly helped us catch some waves. At some point he got annoyed at another group of surfers getting near us so he took off again leaving us alone. It took us a while to locate him waving to us back near the shore and we had to get back to him....all after he had mentioned several times that we had to stick together. Once we were back nearer the shore he again kept trying to get my partner to agree to leave me behind and head back out even though my partner expressed that they were tired and didn't want to head back out. The water itself was terrible to surf in. There were rocks and corals all around us so we both got cut up on our hands and feet whenever we fell off our boards. All in all a terrible experience. I did not go on vacation to be talked down to and disrespected by a self proclaimed...

We went out during low tide, which I realized only after the lesson. I cut my leg and almost broke it as it got stuck in the reef. I also hit my back pretty bad while failling "flat" on the reef. Other guy cut his hand and had to stop the lesson. And that's only what I know as I didn't speak to everyone I had the lesson with. At places there was barely 5 - 10 inches of water before you hit sharp reef and you have no idea what you are jumping into when jump off the board. Does not matter how flat you fall, if you have 10 inches of water between you and the reef.

It is very easy to check if it's low tide and they should not be having lessons when they know it's a very low tide. It's unnecesarrily dangerous. But instead of postpoing or changing lessons to make sure keep things safe, they will rather gamble with your health to make sure they have their 3 lesson every day, at exact time they are used to not lose money.

The instructors themselves were fine, as well as what we were taught. I generaly do not have complaints about that. Sure, instructors were too close to each other sometimes and people were hitting each other more than they needed to, but that's fine. In general I had a good time, but I got hurt two times and it was very dangerous looking back. Needlessly as it seems they just don't care much about safety. They have you sign huge waiver, rather than focusing on preventing possible injuries due to low tide. And low tide means 10-20 inches less water, which is the difference whether hit your back on the reef or not.

So, if you will decide to go with this company anyway, at least do yourself a favor and check tide at Honolulu at the time you will be going. Or go with someone with someone else who cares about...