Private Surf Lesson 100% support any level 90mins is perfect time

The best part of this Oahu surf lesson is the one-on-one attention. Eddie adjusts the land instruction to your ability, then stays with you in the water rather than sending you into a crowded group. You can expect a wave roughly every five minutes or less, which gives beginners plenty of chances to practice.

I like the included photos and full equipment package, especially the board, reef shoes, rash guard or dry suit top, and secured locker. I also like the teaching style praised by past participants: Eddie is patient with first-timers, helps advanced beginners catch more waves, and gives extra help when a child needs it. The main drawback is price: at $130 per person, this costs more than a standard group lesson, and video footage is an added charge.

Key points to know before booking

• Private instruction: Only your group participates, so the lesson can be adjusted to your pace and ability.
• 90 minutes with real water time: Allow about 15 minutes for the land demo and five minutes for equipment preparation before entering the ocean.
• Frequent practice waves: The expected pace is about one wave every five minutes or less.
• Eddie is the main draw: He teaches complete beginners and advanced beginners, and past participants especially praise his patience, energy, and hands-on help.
• Equipment and photos included: You receive an NSP longboard, reef shoes, a rash guard or Excel dry suit top, locker use, and surf photos.
• Plan ahead: The activity is booked an average of 43 days in advance, so popular dates may disappear well before your trip.

Why this private Oahu lesson works for beginners

Surfing looks simple from shore. Paddle, stand, ride. In practice, the timing, balance, wave direction, and ocean safety can make a first lesson feel like a lot to manage.

This experience breaks the process into clear steps. You begin with a 10 to 15 minute land demonstration, where Eddie goes over the fundamentals of surfing and basic ocean safety. The demonstration is adjusted to the students in your group, which matters if one person is nervous, another has tried surfing before, or a child needs a slower explanation.

That personal approach is the strongest reason to choose a private lesson. In a large class, the instructor has to keep everyone moving at the same pace. Here, you can ask questions until you feel ready. If you need another explanation of how to position yourself on the board, you can get it before entering the water.

The goal is not just to get you standing once for a quick photo. The lesson is built around repeated attempts. The expected rate is roughly one wave every five minutes or less, although actual conditions and your group’s pace will affect that. More attempts give you a better chance to understand what your body and the board should do.

The meeting point at Pau Hana Sailing

You meet at Pau Hana Sailing, 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. The activity ends at the same meeting point, which keeps the outing simple and avoids arranging a separate return transfer.

The location is near public transportation, another useful point if you are staying around Honolulu and do not have a rental car. The provided information does not specify a hotel pickup service, so you should plan to reach the meeting point on your own.

This is a private activity, meaning only your group takes part. That makes the experience a good fit for couples, families, or friends who want to learn together without being mixed into a larger class. It also lets the instructor focus on the actual needs of your group instead of splitting attention across many unrelated students.

Bring your booking confirmation and arrive ready to change into the provided gear. Confirmation is sent at the time of booking. Secured lockers are available for your belongings, so you do not need to keep your phone, wallet, or other small items beside the water.

Choosing the right surf clothing and board

Island Fiel Surf provides an Excel dry suit top or rash guard, along with reef shoes. The top gives you a layer between your skin and the board, while reef shoes help protect your feet in the water. You do not need to arrange these items separately.

The NSP longboard is also included. A longboard gives beginners a stable platform and makes it easier to focus on the basics of balance and wave timing. The equipment is not an incidental extra here. Having a suitable board and proper water footwear can make the first lesson feel less awkward and more manageable.

One participant who had some previous experience chose a more technical board instead of the big easy option and still succeeded. That detail is useful if you are not a complete beginner. Tell Eddie what you have done before and what you hope to improve. The lesson can then be set at a level that challenges you without throwing you into something beyond your ability.

The 10 to 15 minute land demonstration

The land demo is short, but it is an important part of the lesson. Eddie covers surfing fundamentals and ocean safety before you enter the water. This is where you learn what to do on the board, how to prepare for a wave, and how to approach the ocean with more confidence.

The instruction is customized to the students. That could mean more basic coaching for a first-timer or a quicker refresher for someone who has surfed before. You also have time to ask questions. I would use this period well rather than treating it as a formality.

A first surf lesson can become confusing once water, waves, and nerves enter the picture. Understanding the basic movements on land lets you spend your ocean time practicing instead of trying to remember every instruction at once.

After the land demo, allow about five minutes to get fitted with equipment and prepare for the water. The 90-minute duration includes this preparation period, but the ocean portion begins when you enter the water. That distinction matters when you compare the lesson with other activities advertised at a similar length.

Ocean time and the pace of practice

Once you enter the ocean, Eddie works with you directly. The expected average is one wave every five minutes or less. That is a useful guide rather than a promise, since wave conditions and your group’s progress can change the pace.

For a beginner, frequent attempts are valuable. Your first wave may be mostly about feeling the board move. The next may help you understand how to balance. By the third or fourth try, you may begin to recognize the moment when you need to stand and how your body affects the ride.

Eddie’s instruction is especially hands-on. A past participant with advanced beginner skills described catching many waves and riding for close to a minute at times. That level of success will not be typical for every first-timer, but it shows that the lesson can also suit someone who already knows the basics and wants more time on the board.

The teaching also seems suited to mixed ability within a group. A beginner can receive careful help, while someone with more experience can work on better wave selection or longer rides. The information provided does not promise a specific number of waves or a guaranteed successful ride, so you should book this as coached practice, not a fixed result.

Eddie’s teaching style and who will benefit most

Eddie is the named instructor associated with the strongest praise for this experience. His teaching style combines patience, practical help, and a lot of positive energy. He has been described as working with first-timers, children, and more experienced beginners, rather than teaching only one type of surfer.

That flexibility is important. One parent noted that Eddie spent extra time helping a son feel successful. The included photos and videos captured the celebrations, which can be especially meaningful for a child trying a new sport.

Another participant had taken lessons over many years and valued Eddie’s ability to help with new skills as well as first attempts. That makes this more than a basic tourist introduction. If you have already stood on a board but still struggle with timing or confidence, private coaching may be a better use of your money than repeating a general beginner class.

Eddie is also known for being friendly with people around the beach and bringing a lively New York style to the lesson. You should expect an instructor who talks with you, encourages you, and stays engaged. If you prefer a quiet, technical lesson with little conversation, this energetic approach may feel like more than you want.

Photos included, videos sold separately

Your surf photos are included in the $130 price. That is a real benefit because surfing is hard to document from shore, and you may not want to leave your phone unattended while you are in the water.

GoPro footage is not included. You can purchase a savable link for $39.99, an SD card for $49.99, or a complete edited video for $74.99. Those costs can add up quickly, especially for a family or group.

I would decide before the lesson if video matters to you. The included photos give you a record of the experience without raising the base price, while the paid video options make sense if you want a longer keepsake of your ride. Be sure to treat the video as an optional extra when calculating the total cost.

Is $130 per person a fair price?

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to try surfing on Oahu. The price is easier to justify if you value private instruction, frequent practice, included gear, locker use, and photos.

A group class may cost less, but you would likely have less control over the pace and less time with the instructor. Here, only your group participates, and the lesson can be tailored to your experience. That is particularly useful when one member of your party is anxious or when you want coaching beyond the basics.

The 90-minute format is also practical. It is long enough to include safety instruction, equipment preparation, and repeated attempts without taking up an entire day. Still, remember that the 10 to 15 minute land demo and the five-minute equipment setup come before ocean time. If you are comparing prices based strictly on water minutes, account for that.

Group discounts are available, though the amount is not specified. Ask about the discount when booking if you are bringing several people. Since the activity is booked an average of 43 days in advance, check your dates early, especially if your Oahu schedule is fixed.

Who should book this lesson

I would choose this lesson if you are a first-time surfer who wants close instruction rather than a large class. It also suits families, since Eddie has experience helping children build confidence and allows extra attention when needed.

Advanced beginners may find good value here too. The private format gives you room to work on technique, and the instructor can adjust the lesson instead of repeating only the most basic steps.

This is also a good option for a group with mixed confidence. One person can ask beginner questions while another works toward longer rides. The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable receiving instruction in English.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local Oahu time.

The experience is available by mobile ticket. Since lockers are provided, you can secure your belongings during the lesson. Public transportation is nearby, but no hotel transfer is listed, so plan your own route to Pau Hana Sailing.

The activity lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes and returns to the original meeting point. It is offered in English and requires good weather. Those simple details make it easy to fit into a Honolulu day, but leave some flexibility around it in case conditions change.

Should you book Island Fiel Surf?

Book it if you want a private, encouraging introduction to surfing and care about having an instructor focused on your group. The strongest reasons are Eddie’s patient teaching, the tailored land demo, the steady chance to catch waves, and the included equipment and photos.

Skip it if you are mainly looking for the lowest-priced lesson or if you want a full video included in the base rate. The $130 fee is a premium, and video can add another $39.99 to $74.99.

For a first surf experience, a family lesson, or a return visit for an advanced beginner, I think the private format makes the cost easier to accept. Book early, ask about the group discount, and treat the 90 minutes as coached practice rather than a guarantee that everyone will master surfing in one session.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

Meet at Pau Hana Sailing, 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How much time is spent on land before surfing?

The land demonstration takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Equipment preparation takes about five minutes, and ocean time begins when you enter the water.

Is this a private surf lesson?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What equipment is included?

You receive an NSP longboard, reef shoes, and either an Excel dry suit top or rash guard. Secured lockers are also provided.

Are photos included?

Yes. Surf photos are included in the experience price.

Is GoPro video included?

No. GoPro footage is available for an additional charge. Options include a $39.99 savable link, a $49.99 SD card, or a $74.99 complete edited video.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.