Moniz Family Surf — Local services in Honolulu

Two years ago, I lived in Waikiki for 3 months. I learned how to surf with another instructor and caught the bug to keep going. I spent many hours on the water and renting boards each time. I felt like a fixture in Canoes. Each day I had a decent session catching good waves, enough to make me walk away with a huge grin on my face and leave me wanting more.

Fast forward to a year later, I went to surf in other countries. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Bali, Spain… I somehow forgot how to catch a wave. I kept forgetting not to look down. I kept getting thrown around the waves because I was paddling in the wrong part of the wave. I even joined a surf camp in Morocco to get my bearings straight. Nothing worked and my confidence was shot. Renting a board each time suddenly felt like a heavy weight on my wallet especially since I wasn’t catching any waves. I was essentially “taking a bath” in the water.

I had just returned to Hawaii to visit a friend and while I was there, it was my mission to find an instructor to help me screw my head back on correctly. I found Moniz Family Surf.

When I messaged Isaiah on WhatsApp, I received an immediate response. Thankfully I was visiting for two weeks because he was booked up for the next week and a half. The day before, he sent me a text to double check if I was still planning having the lesson. I sure was.

I explained my situation and what I had been struggling with. He helped me prepare some of the things I felt less confident about before we hit the water.

I had specific goals in mind but his first suggestion was to get me back to the point where I could catch a wave and stand up. Each time I paddled back, he gave me a new piece of advice to incorporate into my next wave. He encouraged me to take my time and celebrated my wins with me. A few days later, I went to another beach in Oahu and was able to catch waves on my own. Slowly but surely, I felt myself becoming who I once was - a girl with the biggest grin on my face.

I want to send my biggest thanks to Isaiah and the Moniz Family Surf for creating such a safe, patient, and nurturing environment where judgement is not a word in their vocabulary. I wish I stayed longer so I could continue lessons with them for my journey into bigger waves.

For those considering a surf lesson whether you’re on a brief vacation or staying a little longer, I understand that it may seem like a pricey activity to invest in but if you have even the slightest interest, I highly recommend you book here. You...

After being stranded at LAX airport for two days, I found myself at Moniz Family Surf on New Year’s Eve in a delirious state of mind yearning to get into the water to cleanse away the chaos. All private and group lessons were booked out for the holiday weekend, but Isaiah was able to accommodate me on New Year’s Day.

If you haven’t celebrated New Year’s Eve in Hawaii, you are missing out! The entire island was lit from 8:00 pm - 2:00 am. It was my first time experiencing being pelted by embers from being so close to the fireworks, and lose partial hearing from the loud continuous booms- buy boy it was a sight to see!

I kicked off 2023 catching the first wave of the year at Queens. I had a check list of items I wanted to learn, but I couldn’t remember anything due to my state of exhaustion.

What makes Isaiah such a great teacher is that he really watches how you interact with the water, and makes slight adjustments to finetune your skill set. He teaches you about the technique, the reasoning behind the technique, how to read the ocean, and how to have fun and love the experience of surfing.

Isaiah’s gift is his eye of observation. He noticed that I was able to navigate a wave that had more power behind it, and saw that I really struggled with soft, mushy waves, and he was absolutely correct. I am used to an unforgiving ocean, so when it was gentle, I didn’t really understand what was happening or how to react to it. He showed me the different types of energy behind different types of waves and shared tips on paddling techniques such as when to paddle with speed and when to paddle with power to match the energy of the wave. Isaiah was able to verbalize concepts I didn’t understand or was aware of. Matching the energy of the wave was a super helpful concept because at my home break I always feel like I am working against the ocean rather than with the ocean.

He told me about his experiences in pipeline and the training involved to take a hit in order to stand your ground to position yourself in the wave. The hour and a half lesson flew by, and my heart was so full with the knowledge he shared with me.

Moniz Family Surf has a such a homey feeling, and after two days of strenuous travel- the kindness and aloha spirit felt so comforting. It definitely keeps you wanting to come back for more. Look no further for surf schools- Moniz Family Surf is...

This summer, I embarked on an incredible surfing adventure under the guidance of Isaiah. His teaching prowess and genuine love for the sport added a layer of excitement to every lesson. From day one, Isaiah's infectious enthusiasm for surfing became contagious, making each session an absolute joy. He had an innate ability to break down the technical aspects, which helped me steadily build my skills and grow in confidence with every wave.

One of Isaiah's standout qualities is his kind, patient, and grounded demeanor. Thanks to his reassuring presence, I felt safe and supported throughout my journey, despite initially harboring a fear of the vast ocean. It's remarkable how far I've come, from ocean phobia to eagerly anticipating my next surf session.

What truly sets Isaiah apart is his holistic approach to surfing. He instilled in me not only the skills to ride waves but also a deep respect for the ocean itself. Isaiah's commitment to my progress and his knack for creating a natural environment for growth made my entire summer memorable.

But it wasn't just Isaiah who made this experience exceptional. The atmosphere at the surf school was simply amazing. Everyone there was down-to-earth, genuinely caring about us as students. It was evident that they shared a common love for surfing, and the instructors were dedicated to ensuring our success and enjoyment. The camaraderie and positivity they brought to each session transformed learning into an absolute blast. Interacting with the team not only fostered a sense of community but also underscored their genuine excitement for our progress.

In a nutshell, my time learning from Isaiah this summer has solidified my passion for surfing and deepened my appreciation for the ocean. Isaiah's guidance, coupled with the friendly and supportive atmosphere fostered by his colleagues, has made this summer a truly remarkable one. And believe it or not, the year isn't even over yet, but this experience is undoubtedly the highlight of my 2023.

If you're considering learning how to surf with a group of genuinely kind and awesome people, I wholeheartedly recommend Isaiah and the other instructors at Moniz Family Surf. I can't wait to return for more unforgettable...