Maui Vacation Ideas - Visit Famous Maui Surf Town - Paia

Among the “World’s Best Surf Towns” by National Geographic was one our own here in Maui. The small town of Paia on the North Shore of Maui – with its population of just 2,668 – was given this distinguished mention not only because of its excellent morning surf breaks but also because of its welcoming and artistically laid-back culture.

As noted, there are some “daily side-shore winds that shred the line-ups most afternoons,” but this often means less surfers battling for the waves. Beginner surfers, the article noted, should try the nearby Paia Bay. So Maui surfers can head out early and catch some nice breaks before the trade winds show up.

But the winds are also what has made this surfing spot famous. Paia is also known as the “windsurfing capital of the world,” calling pro windsurfers and kite surfers to Ho’okipa Beach from all over the world. And as the article mentioned, if you want to catch some other international pro surfers, stop by Hana Highway between mile markers 13 and 14. There you might catch a glimpse of professional surfers during the winter swells taking on the famous outer reef.

While not being a “surfing mecca,” Paia made the list of awesome surfing towns because of the “artsy, eccentric vibe” found in this charismatic little town. A shopper’s paradise, Paia is packed full of unique and colorful boutiques, shops, and art galleries along with a blend of delicious restaurants.
Paia was once a bustling plantation town in the heydays of Maui’s sugar cane industry. Once it was even the largest city on Maui with a hospital and theater. The old Paia Sugar Mill closed down in 2000, but the town still stirs with local residents and tourists gathering to see the “the coolest little town in Maui,” as the town of Paia calls itself.

In Paia you’ll still find “remnants of authentic Hawaii” because it’s “one of the last holdouts,” Fodor’s Travel noted. There’s no major resorts nearby only gorgeous beaches with surfers and windsurfers alike, cute shops, and an artistic flare.

So after your Maui surf lesson with Hawaiian Style Surf, come over to the North Shore and try out what you’ve learned at one of the World’s Best Surf Towns – our little Paia!

5 Places to Grab A Bite in Kihei After A Hawaiian Style Surf Lesson

We often take people to Kalama Beach Park in Kihei for their Maui surf lessons. It has a beautiful beach and good waves for everyone from beginners and children to more progressive surfers. There’s also an accommodating park area by the beach that makes a nice spot for a picnic.

So after their surfing lesson, many want to know where they can get some food…because of course, surfing can make you work up quite a healthy appetite. And many surfers search for a fast, inexpensive, and delicious spot where they can refuel and be ready to take on the next big wave.

If you’re looking for a good place to eat after your lesson, here’s some of the best eateries we’ve found in Kihei:

 

Stewz Maui Burgers. If you’re craving a good burger after your Maui surfing lesson, try Stewz Maui Burgers (formerly Stewart’s Burgers) right across from the beach in Kihei. Enjoy their gourmet hamburgers and fries in a casual open air patio atmosphere. Try their special burger of the day and one of their delicious shakes.

Kihei Caffe. This little spot is also right across the street from the beach and has a marvelous breakfast. A great local feel, the Kihei Caffe has a walk-up order style, after which, you grab a table and wait as your food is brought out. We like the macadamia nut French toast or their delicious cinnamon rolls. At times, there may be a line, but it’s worth the wait. And if you love breakfast or just get a late start, they serve breakfast through out the whole day.

Eskimo Candy. Don’t let the name fool you. This has nothing to do with candy. It’s actually a delicious little seafood market and cafe! This little place and fresh fish market offers eat in, take out, or cook at home food. About a 5 minute drive from Kalama Beach Park, Eskimo Candy offers awesome fish and chips as well as delicious poke bowls. Open Monday through Friday, you can either eat in or buy some fresh Maui fish and seasonings to cook a meal at home.

Horhito’s Taqueria taco truck. This tasty mobile restaurant is right across the street from Kalama Beach Park in the Kihei Market Place parking lot. They arguably sell the best fish tacos in Maui! Prepared fresh, Horhito’s is an excellent value. They also have delicious salsa, carne asada, and pork tacos. Many of the locals frequent this delicious mobile eatery after they’ve surfed at Kalama Beach.


 Maui Brick Oven. If you’re planning to have dinner after your day at the beach, this little restaurant features fish and chips, pizza, pasta and more. One of the unique and often most appreciated features of this Kilhei favorite is that everything is gluten-free! So for those who follow a strict gluten-free diet or those who just want to enjoy a delicious pizza and fabulous dessert, this is the restaurant. There’s a tasty dish for everyone. Less than two miles down the road from Kalama Beach Park, it’s open for dinner six days a week.

Of course by the beach, there are also many great shaved ice, ice cream, and coffee houses to stop in at if you just want a quick snack.

It's good to bring a little cash with you when you visit Kihei because some of these little eateries only accept cash.

Top Surf School - Hawaiian Style Surf in Maui

Thinking of taking surfing lessons in Maui? It’s something you’ll be glad you if you decide to do, because learning to surf in Maui is one of the most awesome things you can be done. There’s an exhilaration you get by surfing that can’t easily be explained in words…you just have to experience it!

The Aloha Surf Guide encourages all beginning surfers to have a professional surfing instructor to ensure they have a safe and fun surfing experience.

So if you’re going to learn to surf or stand-up paddle, going to a Maui surf school is best.
But why not just rent or buy a surfboard and go out and catch some waves? Well, of couse you could do that but having an expert surfing instructor by your side can save you much time and needless frustration. Why reinvent the wheel learning to surf the hard way when you can have someone show you the best board, the right surfing techniques, and the ideal locations? It’s certainly worth the investment. Learning to surf or SUP with an instructor is also the safe way. With an instructor, you’ll know beforehand things like: the safest location for a novice, how far to paddle out, the right time to stand. All things you’ll need to know.

So then why can we say that Hawaiian Style is the best Maui surf school? For several reasons…Hawaiian Style’s surfing team are local professional instructors. These Hawaiian native surfers have spent much of their lives surfing in these Pacific Ocean waves. Thus, they know the best local surfing locations, how the local waves and tide act at times, and the best local techniques to learn how to master the surf.

Hawaiian Style surfing instructors love to teach others the Hawaiian legacy of surfing and be a part of the thrilling experience that it is to do so! For these native Hawaiians, surfing is much more than just a job or a sport…It’s a way of life. Having enjoyed surfing as part of the Hawaiian culture, they know how surfing embodies the spirit of Aloha. This passion for surfing is seen in their Maui surfing lessons.

Hawaiian Style instructors like Cameo specialize in teaching children and families to how to surf and stand-up paddleboard. Cameo has been surfing since she was about 6 years old.
 “I love working with families and teaching little kids to surf because I know it’s an experience they will never forget,” Cameo said.

Hawaiian Style also specializes in corporate surfing and SUP lessons. Company executives, employees, and their families come from around the world to learn to surf in Maui with the Hawaiian Style experts.



In addition to amazing surfing memories, Hawaiian Style also offers surfing lessons that include the use of a GoPro camera. These waterproof, mountable video cameras allow you to capture every aspect of your surfing adventure up close and personal.

So take a look at some of the awesome, laid back surfing lesson packages that Hawaiian Style offers for individuals, families, and entire companies?

There’s nothing like surfing in Maui, and no better way to learn to surf than with Hawaiian Style Surf – Maui’s Best Surf School.

Surfing with Proper Etiquette

Proper surfing etiquette is one of the first things you’ll need to learn as a surfing beginner in Maui. These basic rules of surfing are for your safety and that of other surfers, but following this surfing etiquette will also help you gain the high opinion of local seasoned surfers. And they might even give you some helpful tips.


You’ll need to understand these few basic ‘rules of the surfing road’ as part of your Maui surf lessons, before you embark on your surfing or “he’e nalu” adventure.


Surfing Right of Way. Just as with rules of the road, there are rules of the wave in surfing that surfers must yield to. The first surfer or the surfer closest to the peak of the break has the right of way on that wave. Anyone else paddling for that wave should allow him fist access. The surfer riding the wave has the right of way and the surfer paddling out to the break must yield. This means getting out of the way when possible, even if it is into the breaking wave or behind the rider.

If you’re paddling for a wave and someone is paddling out toward you, it’s good to make eye contact with that person and indicate the direction you’re intending to go in reference to them.

Don’t Ditch your Board. In the beginning, it may be a little difficult to handle your board on the waves. But don’t let go of your surfboard. If you throw your board behind you in a big wave, there’s a good possibility it will harm another surfer. Even with a leash attached, there’s a chance that the leash might break or detach itself from the board. Always put a great deal of distance between you and other surfers, paddling next to them, not in front or behind them so that if you’re board does get away from you, it won’t hurt others.

Staying in the right location for your skill level and ability will also help you to have more control over your board and allow you to surf with others safely.

Don’t ‘Drop In’ on or Snake Someone. This won’t be a problem if a surfer follows the right-of-way rule. But “dropping in” on a surfer basically means you’re cutting in front of them while they’re catching a wave. This happens when someone further out on the shoulder of the wave tries to catch a wave another surfer is already riding or has claimed, thus cutting off or blocking the first surfer. This is, of course, very offensive and very dangerous. The surfer with the right-of-way riding the wave could very easily run into the surfer dropping in. This could happen by accident so always stay alert to where others are around you.

Snaking is a more intentional drop-in where someone knowingly, and often more subtly and deviously, paddles around a person who has the right-of-way and catches the wave they were going for.

Don’t Paddle Into a Lineup. Again, the right-of-way rule says that the surfer riding the wave has the right of way. Thus, if you are paddling out, you need to make sure to stay out of the way of riders on the waves. Don’t paddle directly into or close to a lineup. Always paddle out around the break in the channel so that you’re not in the path of oncoming surfers.

Respect the ocean, the beach, and fellow surfers. As with commonplace rules of etiquette, you should always leave a place at least as good as the way you found it…picking up after yourself and not leaving trash on the beach or in the ocean. Also respect fellow surfers, apologizing for mistakes, and respect their local customs and rules of etiquette for the lineup.

Keep in mind these few simple guidelines of proper surfing etiquette, and you’ll not only be riding a waves, but also have the respect of the local surfing scene.

Understanding Surfing Lingo with Help from Your Brahs

Surfing has its own life– its own culture and even its own language. In this Hawaiian sport, a style of slang has developed that unites its members into a surfing community. So to be a part of this community of Maui surfers (or at least to understand what they’re talking about), you’ll need to understand some of the basic Maui surfing verbiage. So check out the helpful glossary of surfing terms below:

Air or catch air – a surfing maneuver where the surfer and his/her surfboard gets airborne.

Aloha – greetings/farewell , affection, peace. “Aloha Spirit” denotes a friendly, easy-going, accepting attitude.

Amped – excited, full of life, stoked

An Den (“AHN Dehn”) – Phrase meaning “What’s up?” or “How are you?”

Anglin’ – Turning left and/or right on a wave; surfing at an angle across a wave instead of surfing straight toward the beach.

Bail out – To jump off or get away from your surfboard before a potential wipe out.

Barrel – When the wave has a hollow channel or tube when it breaks and curls over.

Beach Break – A wave formed over sand or those that break across a sandy beach.

Braddah (“BRAH-dah”) – Brother

Brah – Surfer friend

Blown Out – When winds are blowing so hard that they chop up the surf and make it impossible to
ride.

Carve/Carving – Making a radical turn on or through the wave.

Channel – A deep spot where waves don’t usually break.

Choke – a big amount of something, a lot.

Curl – The part of the wave that is spilling over and breaking.

Cut-out – To pull out of the wave.

Deck – The top-side of the surfboard, the side you stand on.

Drop in – To cut in on another surfer’s wave. Not good surfing etiquette.

Duck Dive – Diving underneath the waves to get past breaking waves easier and faster.

Eat it – To fall off your board or wipe-out.

Face – The almost vertical front portion or surface of a wave where the wave begins to curl overhead.

Goofy-Foot – Riding the surfboard with your right foot as the lead foot.

Gun – A long surfboard made for riding big waves.

Haole (“How-lee”) – A native Hawaiian term for foreigner or Caucasian.

Kook – A beginning surfer who gets in the way or into trouble because of ignorance, or a wannabe
who pretends to look the part but can’t surf.

Line-up – The place in the water beyond where the waves break where surfers wait to catch their next wave.

Lip – The top of the face of the wave.

Offshore Winds – When the wind is blowing off the shore, good surfing conditions.

Point Break – A wave that breaks on a rocky point.

Rail – The sides of the surfboard.

Reef Break – Waves that break over a coral reef.

Set – A group of waves. Larger waves will travel in 4 to 6 wave sets.

Snaking – To go around or behind another surfer who has the right-of-way on a breaking wave to get into a better position to catch their wave, forcing them to change direction and miss the wave. Cutting them off. Not good surfing etiquette.

Soup – The foamy or white water part of a broken wave.

Swell – Unbroken waves that move in groups with similar heights and frequency.

Tube – The part of the wave when the crest spills over the hollow barrel making a tunnel or pip-shaped wave; also Green Room or Barrel.

Surfs Up! Corporations Come to Maui for Hawaiian Style Surf Lessons

How about beginning summer with a trip to Maui? And what’s one of the best things to do in Maui? Surf lessons, of course! Several large companies joined Hawaiian Style for Maui surf and SUP lessons recently, proving they know how to start a summer off right!

Beautiful Hawaiian days with great swells and little wind made for some excellent surfing. These fun groups of professionals and their families really seemed to enjoy the surf and sun as they got comfortable with Maui’s waves. Many easily took to surfing and stand-up paddleboard.

Software AG, a world leader in enterprise management software, joined Hawaiian Style in May for surf and SUP lessons in Maui. These professionals had a great time learning “he’e nalu” or surfing. With its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Software AG has more than 5,000 employees in 70 countries, helping more than 70 percent of the Global 1,000 to run their business more efficiently.

Also in May we took out an sensational group from Tupperware Brands Malaysia. These “pioneers in innovative storage products” really had a great time as they learned to surf and SUP. Tupperware Brand professionals visited us from Argentina, Brazil, France, Tunisia, and many other locations. Everyone seemed to have a great time as they learned to surf together, building great bonds and the spirit of Aloha.





At the end of May, professionals from CA Technologies, one of the largest independent software companies in the world, came out for two days of surfing and stand-up paddleboard lessons. Forty-eight guests from CA Technologies joined us each day. On the final day, CA Technologies Executive Vice President Adam Elster and his wife had a private surfing lesson with Hawaiian Style owner Rick Leong. Mr. Elster said he really appreciated Rick taking good care of all his employees and that they all had a great time learning to surf with Hawaiian Style. We had a awesome couple days with this fun group of gifted first time surfers!





Employees from one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Boehringer Ingelheim visited Hawaiian Style for surfing and SUP lessons during the early part of June. The group went out to Kalama Park in Maui for their lessons. There was great weather and waves for their three days of surfing and SUP. We had a fun time with the great crew from Boehringer Ingelheim!




Members from VISTAKON®, the makers of ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses, and Ford Motor Company also came out early in June to experience the adventure of surfing and SUP in Maui.

Everyone at Hawaiian Style truly had an awesome time with all these great people! We always have a great time helping corporate groups from around the world learn to surf and stand-up paddle on the beautiful shores of Maui.