Oahu Surf and Skim School — Local services in Honolulu

I came to this school based on a recommendation, even though I had already taken lessons with several instructors and had a general understanding of surfing. However, I wanted to deepen my knowledge, learn how to catch waves on my own, explore different beaches and wave conditions, and simply have a great time. My friends recommended Max, and I signed up without any particular expectations, as I had never trained with him before.

However, I remembered that in the past, when I had lessons with other instructors, Max would always help me out whenever he saw me struggling alone in the water, whether it was catching a wave or figuring out the right positioning—completely selflessly.

This year, my lessons with Max were absolutely amazing. I’m incredibly grateful to him for his precision, thoroughness, and organized approach. He answered all my questions, guided me step by step in the water, pointed out my mistakes from the basics, and helped me understand what to focus on and what not to overthink. Even though I already had some experience and knew the fundamentals, Ilearned so much!

I wholeheartedly recommend Max to anyone—whether you're a beginner, looking to improve, or wanting to explore different surf spots. If you want to understand surfing beyond just standing on a board—learning how to read waves, identify the best conditions, and truly get into the essence of the sport—Max is the person to learn from. He is genuinely passionate about what he does, and his guidance comes with immense care, warmth, and a deep sense of responsibility. I will...

My family of 6 enjoyed our time learning how to surf with Max. The email said to meet at the Duke statue, but Max texted the night before to let us know to meet at a local surf shop. It was a 2 minute walk from the statue so it didn’t change our plans any. We parked at the International Marketplace. If you get in before 8:00 am and leave by 6:00, parking is only $15 total. We booked 8:00 am and 9:30 lessons with Max, splitting our family up in 2 groups of 3. Some of us took pictures and videos while the others surfed. There were 2 people at the surf shop that offered to take drone videos and pictures, but we decided to just do our own. It was nice to have the option though. Max did a great job teaching us the 4 steps for surfing while in the surf shop, before we carried our boards to the beach. He was very easy to talk to while waiting for waves, and pushed us out at the right time. He offered correction when needed and was very easy going. I’m glad we had early morning surf lessons, because the beach got busier as the day went on. We were here in March and the water was perfect. Not cold at all. The water was clear and shallow. The waves were perfect for beginners. We saw 2 turtles! Max also let us take some chairs from the surf shop to use while at the beach. He just asked us to bring them back when we were done hanging out after our lessons. We would definitely recommend Oahu Surf and...

I recently took my first surf lesson with Oahu Surf and Skim School, and let me tell you... I'M BEYOND STOKED! As someone who is generally not very coordinated and in my late 40s, I went into the lesson with low expectations. Much to my surprise, I was able to get up on the board and catch a wave on my first attempt!

Max Bourne, at Oahu Surf and Skim School, is nothing short of fantastic. He was patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. He provided clear and easy-to-understand directions, and refined each run with helpful tips and pointers. I was particularly impressed by his passion and dedication, who clearly lives and breathes the sport and wanted to share his love of surfing with me.

At no point in the lesson did I feel unsafe in the water or alone to fend for myself. Even when I got tired he helped tow me out so I could squeeze in just a few more. I never felt like I was in over my head (pun intended). He kept a close eye on me and made sure I was always in a safe position away from others in the water.

I would highly recommend Oahu Surf and Skim School to anyone looking to learn how to surf. Whether you're a beginner like me or an experienced surfer looking to improve your skills, this school has something for everyone. I can't wait to go back and continue my...