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.

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.

Maui Surf Lessons - One of the Most Memorable Things to Do in Maui

Have a Maui vacation planned soon? If so, you’ve undoubtedly searched for the top things to do in Maui. Among the many exciting and memorable activities you can enjoy while on vacation here, there are two you indisputably can’t miss – Maui surf lessons and stand up paddleboard (SUP) lessons. No Maui vacation is complete without these two sports.

What makes us say that? For one reason, surfing is Hawaii. Surfing is believed to have started with Polynesians in the Pacific islands and really advanced more as they came to the Hawaiian Islands. Thus, surfing or “he’e nalu” became known as a Hawaiian sport. Captain James King in 1779 described this wave riding by locals on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a sport of royal Hawaiian kings and queens.

Hawaii is thus known as the epicenter of the surfing world where it’s a central part of the culture and heritage of a society that loves the ocean. Surfing captures the spirit of Aloha and the actual lifestyle of the islands. So, to truly experience Hawaii, you have to experience surfing.

Learning to surf offers a thrill quite unlike any other sport. As you learn to work embrace the ocean waves, you sense the exhilaration and power that the waves carry, and at the same time an exceptional feeling of serenity. Many find in surfing a way to lessen stress and anxiety. This is part of the spirit of Aloha that engulfs you with excitement while giving you a soothing sense of peace. Thus, this incomparable Maui watersport offers an amazing experience that is truly Hawaiian. 

And to be able to say that you took surfing lessons in Maui…this is a remarkable place to learn to surf and a cherished part of your trip! Nowhere else can you surf amidst the beauty that is Maui. With striking views of the volcanic crater known as Molokini and the island of Lanai as your backdrop, you can take Maui surf lessons in the flawless ocean waters with palm trees lining the coast. True, there are other places around the world to surf, but there’s no other place quite like Maui.

Because surfing is linked so much to Hawaii and the people of these islands, there’s no better people to teach you to surf. For many locals, surfing is where we feel most at home, and is really second nature, so of course we love helping people experience this exhilarating sport first-hand. As people characterized by the Aloha spirit, we’re laid back and are just excited to be a part of your surfing experience, so our Maui surf lessons are similarly relaxed and fun. Having native Hawaiians who love the ocean and surfing teach you surfing or SUP is another exceptional aspect of Maui surf lessons that you won’t find anywhere else.

SUP or “hoe he’e nalu” is an additional watersport with a Hawaiian heritage that provides an unforgettable Maui experience. SUP is an easy-to-learn sport and offers a great full body workout. It can also be done by people of all ages and skill levels. This popular Hawaiian sport offers amazing views of the islands and sea life that you can only see in Maui.

So when you visit the islands, be sure to put Maui surf lessons or SUP lessons on the top of your list of things to do! There’s truly no other sports quite like surfing or stand up paddling, and no other place to learn quite like Maui.

Maui SUP Lessons: Beginner's Tips

When they want to try a new sport on vacation, many typically search for Maui surf lessons, but another watersport is gaining considerable popularity these days and that’s stand up paddle boarding (or SUP). Actually, stand up paddle is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. This growing trend in Maui stand up paddle board has exploded in popularity because it’s simple to learn, provides a great full body workout, and can be done by people of all ages and skill levels. Many athletes use stand up paddleboard as a cross training exercise, and it really strengthens your core muscles. Maui SUP also offers paddlers awesome views into the clear ocean waters as well as majestic views of the surrounding islands. On a calm day and with the right paddleboard, stand up paddling isn’t too hard, but here are some tips as you embark on your preliminary Maui SUP lesson.

The right paddleboard and gear. Especially for a beginner, a thicker, longer, and wider paddleboard will be better. These will be more stable than smaller boards, allowing you to learn to SUP much easier. Starting out on too small of a paddleboard is a common SUP mistake and makes it difficult to gain your balance.

When picking your paddle as a beginner, you’ll want to get one that is longer (for flat water use). Generally, paddles should be around 8-10 inches taller than you for flat water touring. Adjustable paddles can be perfect, especially when you’re just starting out, to get a better indication of which length is best for you. These paddleboard and paddle lengths will differ depending on your height and weight as well as experience. Different boards are used for different types of paddling including those for surfing and racing, so you may want a different size and type of board as you learn what kind of paddling you like most. You will also need a personal flotation device, a leash to fasten from your board to your ankle, and perhaps a rash guard for sun protection or a wet suit for colder weather.

Standing on your Maui paddleboard. Find a protected area where the water is calm and take the board out to where the fin isn’t striking anything, about knee high water. Just behind the center of the board, get into a kneeling position on the board. Have the paddle laying across the width of your paddleboard in front of you. While gripping the rails or sides of the board, slowly stand up one foot at a time, staying in the center of the board, with your feet parallel about shoulder width apart. You’ll want to keep your knees slight bent and your core centered on the board to help keep you balanced. Your eyes should look forward and your head and shoulders should stay upright. As soon as you stand up, put your paddle in the water and begin paddling to make the board more stable.

The basic strokes of Maui SUP. When you’re paddling, you’ll have one hand on the top of the paddle as a guide, and the other hand gripping the middle of the paddle shaft or about a shoulder width apart from your other hand. Extend the blade of the paddle beside your board as far forward as you can comfortably, typically about 4 feet in front of your feet. Immerse the blade fully in the water and move the blade straight back to the area of your feet through the water. Do 3 or 4 strokes on one side and then change your paddle to the opposite side, reversing your hand positions. Start out with shorter strokes as a beginner.  Keep your back and arms straight, shoulders level, while somewhat bending at the knees and elbow.

To turn your paddleboard using a sidestroke, just paddle on one side of the board until the nose turns, paddling on the left to turn right and vice versa. Also, to turn direction swiftly, just reverse the direction you stroke, paddling backwards. Stepping toward the tail with a low stance and shifting and twisting your torso to the direction you want to go will also help you turn more easily.

Falling off your paddleboard. If you feel like you’re going to fall, aim to the side and shove away from the board as your fall to avoid falling on the board. If you lose your board and paddle, try to get to your board first and then your paddle. But always be careful and on the lookout for anything around you as you’re paddling whether other paddlers, watercraft, or objects in the water.

These are just a few tips to get you on your way to Maui stand up paddling. SUP or as we say, “hoe he’e nalu” is a relaxing and fun way to enjoy the ocean or really any body of water from oceans to lakes to rivers. Hawaiian Style Surf offers regular Maui SUP lessons to all who want to experience this remarkable and ever-popular watersport.