Fozzy Surf School — Local services in Oʻahu

We booked a 2 hour semi-private class (2:1) with Chris and we aren't satisfactory about the experience. Let me tell you the background, pros and cons in this experience.

Background: I never surfed before, but I am generally fit and can can rock climbing V8 boulder. I ride the wave on my second attempt, but I quit after my 4th attempt because I felt tired and painful.

Pros: Chris is very proactive in communicating. He reached out to us through text message before the session and send us the video 1 hour after surfing. Chris is hardworking. He took each of us in turn to the wave frequently. He didn't stop. He swim pretty fast.

Cons: Not much learning other than following Chris's command to stand up when wave comes. I am far from being able to surf by myself. I was not told how to recognize the good wave and how to turn the board to follow the wave. I was expected to just follow him and his command. I felt offended. His way of speaking is sending commands. It wasn't pleasant. My wife initially put some sunscreen on her leg, and he just shut "wipe it off!", he later explained that it is because that can cause the board slippery. I understood, but still, the way he speaks make us uncomfortable. Maybe he is not in good mood today, not sure. I didn't expect that I would get injured. I felt chest pain when laying on the board for a long time which cause me to stop the learning early. My feet got scratched by the rock on the bottom when I was hit by several waves. I wasn't told about these before going into the water. Though not a big hurt, it is inappropriate. Instructor should let the students understand the underlying risks. Regarding injury, Chris doesn't show compassion. He just told me that these are normal but he didn't even check my injury. Well, thit is inappropriate.

This is a long review. I want to provide a more comprehensive view or different angle for future participants. Also, it can work as a feedback for Chris. I had high hope in the beginning, but sorry, I was a bit...

Chris “Fozzy” Foster is not only a genuinely talented instructor, but he uses his many years of competition and coaching experience to create a welcoming environment that takes what could otherwise be a very intimidating sport and makes it approachable for entry level surfers as well as more than capable of helping those with more advanced skills.

I booked a 2-hour solo and loved every second of it. Chris offered detailed explain actions and feedback specific to each wave (yes, being completely new the the sport I was able to “ride” multiple waves). The equipment used felt very quality and I was even provided a rash guard (thankfully, I would have been worse for wear without).

Also, north shore might sound intimidating to newbies but with Fozzy’s approach I was able to check off a lifelong bucket list item. It’s still surging so be aware it’s not a walk in the park on a paved path but if you have some grit you’ll make it just fine and Chris will make you feel right at home.

Overall, a fantastic and truly unforgettable experience and would recommend to anyone looking to beat the crowds, hit the north shore, and have a great experience with a...

My daughter had her very first surfing lesson with Fozzy, and he was amazing! She’s never surfed before, but he had her standing up and surfing in less than 30 minutes. She’s still talking about it! In her words, ‘Fozzy is the best teacher I’ve ever had. He’s amazing!’ He was super patient, kind, and really good at making it fun. We’ve already booked another lesson because she loved it so much! Definitely recommend him if you’re looking for a great instructor!"

Update: Book your lesson with Fozzy Surf School! You will love it! We just had our second lesson with Chris and it was just as awesome as the first! My daughter had a blast again, and it’s amazing to see how much more confident she’s getting on the board. You can tell Chris truly loves what he does—his passion for surfing and teaching shines through in every lesson. He’s super patient, encouraging, and knows exactly how to make it fun while helping his students improve. If you want an instructor who genuinely loves the sport and inspires others to love it too, he’s the one! Whenever we come back to Oahu we will definitely get more...