Maui Ocean Sports Top Gear - Surfboards and GoPro Cameras

Surfing and stand-up paddle claims some of the coolest gear of all the Maui ocean sports. Carrying these colorful and artistically-designed boards across Maui’s shorelines can immediately create a feeling of excitement and thrill as to what the day in the Maui surf might bring. They are the instrument of a surfer’s symphony on the water. They can enrich the skill of the surfer. Over the years, surfboards have stood out as a symbol of this cherished Maui ocean sport.

You might be interested to learn you may want to know what kinds of surf and SUP boards Maui surfers use most to develop their surf skills…Well, Hawaiian Style began their Maui surf lessons using a type of surfboard called a softop, made by Surftech, an innovative surfboard manufacturer 25 years. These surfboards are great for beginner surfers. Over the years, they’ve proven to be durable, very stable, as well as forgiving to new surfers. Surftech softop boards feature a soft EVA deck and rails for easy use and safety.

For our Maui surf lessons, we often recommend using 9 to 10 ft. boards for children and petite adults and 11 to 12 ft. boards for other surfers. This year we’re also using surfboards from the Maunalua board company for our Maui surf lessons. These surfboards that feature wide-bodied designs are also well-constructed, stable boards that are excellent for beginner surfers and those progressing to more difficult breaks.

For our Maui SUP lessons, we use paddleboards from Naish, which makes a good diversity of stand-up paddleboards for cruising, racing, wide-style waves, touring, and fitness as well as SUP paddles and gear. Naish also makes kiteboarding and windsurfing gear as well. Naish’s softop Mana series SUP boards have an excellent design and stability about them that works well both for beginners and experienced Maui stand-up paddleboarding enthusiasts.

Along with these amazing surfboards and SUP boards, we also offer GoPro cameras for our customers to record all of their Maui surfing adventures up close and personal. We use the GoPro HERO3+ Silver edition camera for both videos and still photography of our surfing lessons. The waterproof GoPro HERO3+ Silver features video resolutions up to 1080p60 and 10MP photos up to 10 frames per second with enhanced low-light performance and built-in WiFi.

These unbelievably handy video cameras can either be mounted on the surfboards or handheld. The quality of video these cameras take is really awesome, and our clients love the awesome footage this cameras takes of their personal Maui surf lesson. See how the GoPro camera captures the Hawaiian Style Surf adventure!


Those taking our Maui surf or SUP lessons can also use Hawaiian Style rash guards and booties o ensure they have a safe and fun surfing experience.

Our surfboards and surfing gear are all part of a tradition of Maui ocean sports that deliver an unforgettable experience to island explorers.

While we can say that learning to surf in Maui is epic and exhilarating, you’ll need to experience it first-hand to really see what makes Maui surfing so unforgettable.

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.

The Story of the Surf - History Lesson for Maui Surfers

As part of your Maui surf lessons, it’s best to go over the history of surfing. Now, you might not be overly excited at the idea of a history lesson, but as with most Hawaiian activities and subjects, you'll find this is much more interesting than your typical history class.

So, let's get the ball rolling, when you’re learning to surf in Maui, it’s nice to know a little about where this awesome sport came from so you can truly take in the Aloha spirit of surfing.

Surfing’s Origins.

As far back as the 15^th century there were Hawaiian chants honoring surfing and talking about competing chiefs, surfing wagers, and remarkable waves, hawaiihistory.org noted. In 1779, Lieutenant James King, who was commander of Captain James Cook’s ship Discovery after Cook’s death, wrote a description of surfboard riding by the locals at Kealakekua in Hawaii. By then, surfing was an key part of Hawaiian culture, Marcus noted, as can be seen in their early religion, society, and myths of the islands including petroglyphs of surfers carved on lava rocks. (Now that's totally awesome bro)

“The Polynesians who made it to Hawaii also brought their customs with them, including playing in the surf on paipo (belly) boards. Although Tahitians are said to have occasionally stood on their boards, the art of surfing upright on long boards was certainly perfected if not invented in Hawaii,” Ben Marcus wrote in From Polynesia, With Love: A History of Surfing From Captain Cook to the Present.

So, it’s generally believed that the Polynesians who migrated throughout the Pacific Islands from Marquesas, Fiji, and Tahiti to the Hawaii Islands were the first to surf.

The art of surfing took hold and was mastered in the Hawaiian Islands. Thus, surfing or “he’e nalu” (to ride the waves) came to be known as a Hawaiian sport.

A Sport of Royalty.

Do you feel a little Kingly as you catch a big wave? Surfing was especially popular among royalty in early Hawaiian culture as part of their “kapu” system, where “ali’i” or the ruling class had a different status from the “maka’ainana” or commoners, the Hawaiian Encyclopedia said. Chiefs used surfing to show their courage and skill to their subjects and reinforce their elevated status.

“The kings used to ride huge “olo” balsa board reserved only for them which were 18-25 ft in length, whilst the rest of the population had to ride smaller “alaia” surfboards,” the surf shop Extreme Horizon noted.

 

Some of Hawaii’s most famous chiefs were extolled for their surfing abilities. Nevertheless, this captivating Hawaiian sport was big among both royals and commoners with men and women of all ages enjoying the sport.

Rebirth of Surfing.

With the influx of European culture following Captain Cook’s visit to the Hawaii Islands, interest in surfing began to decrease. But in the early 20^th century two renowned surfers made the sport popular once again.

Hawaiian native Duke Kahanamoku surfed Waikiki in 1905, the Hawaiian Encyclopedia said, and  thus began the rebirth of Hawaiian surfing. He was one of the famous Waikiki beach boys, a group of water sports instructors and surfers. Duke set an American swimming record in  the year 1911 and later set world records and won medals in four different Olympics. As the Encyclopedia noted, Duke went on to become a Hollywood movie star and was Sheriff of the City and County of Honolulu for 26 years. He is now considered a Hawaiian legend.



George Freeth was another Waikiki beach boy that brought much attention to the Hawaiian sport of surfing. In 1907, famous American writer Jack London met George and wrote a magazine article about surfing that made George a small celebrity in the U.S., Extreme Horizon noted. George then moved to California, surfing at major beaches in the state, creating more momentum and interest in the Hawaiian sport. Soon, California surfers began to crop up.

Thus, surfing had once again become a favorite pastime of those who love the ocean.

So, how are your surfing lessons coming? We hope that you now know a little more of the history behind this acclaimed Maui ocean sport and Hawaiian lifestyle, continue to practice and develop your surfing skills and come to know truly know the spirit of Aloha.

10 Amazing things to do in Maui

Are you coming to the gorgeous island of Maui soon? If you are, you’re probably thinking about what you will do while you’re here. There is so much to do in this paradise location, you can’t fit everything in during just one short vacation. So how do you know what to choose? To help you get the most from your Maui vacation, we’ve made a list of the things we most love to do in Maui….in addition to surfing that is.

Bike down Haleakala. Watch the sunrise from the Haleakala Crater. This mountain biking tour from the top of Haleakala, Maui’s largest volcano, is truly spectacular with unforgettable views of the sun coming through the clouds. There are several companies that offer this bike tour, taking you up to the summit as you tour Haleakala National Park along the way. Then you can bike down from the summit all the way to the little beach town of Paia. Some companies offer a self-guided tour where you can stop and see whatever you want as you bike down. It’s really a amazing way to see Upcountry Maui! But take a jacket because it’s super cold on Haleakala at sunrise.

Road to Hana. This is Maui’s famous scenic (and exhilarating) drive from Kahului to the little town of Hana in East Maui. There are dozens of switchbacks and one lane bridges along the route that showcase spectacular views out over cliffs, along breath-taking coastlines and beaches, and through fascinating rainforest jungles. This world-renowned drive affords many opportunities to stop along the way at fruit stands for delicious banana bread for example and hike to unforgettable waterfalls. Highlights of the trip include the black sand and red sand beaches in Hana. Although the red sand beach is hidden, it’s really a great hike.

Snorkel with sea turtles. View these incredible sea creatures up close as you snorkel with them in their natural habitat. You can go out on a catamaran or snorkel from shore. There are many beautiful spots around Maui where these incredible Hawaiian sea turtles hang out. Turtle Town along the southern coast of Maui is a good area to snorkel as well as Black Rock at Ka’anapali Beach.

Swim under a waterfall. Natural pools and waterfalls are plentiful in Maui, although most are located in East Maui along the Road to Hana.  Twin Falls is the first one you come to along the Road to Hana, but it’s often crowded. Try Oheo Gulch, Ching’s Pond, and Alelele Falls too. Oheo Gulch or the Seven Sacred Pools, located about 10 miles south of Hana in the Kipahulu area, are a group of waterfalls that spill into tiered natural pools that lead to the sea.

Spend a day upcountry. Most tourists never make it up here, but it’s really the heart of Maui! The lavender farm is truly amazing and offer great views of the mountains. The winery at Ulupalakua Ranch is well worth the drive. They have free tastings, so try some of their pineapple wine! At the end of the day, the Surfing Dairy Farm offers a great farm tour where you can even milk a goat. Also, don’t miss their homemade truffles.

Be a beach bum. No Maui vacation is complete without spending some time just relaxing and soaking up rays at Maui’s amazing beaches. Big Beach and White Rock in the south of Maui as well as Kapalua Bay Beach and Ka’anapali Beach in West Maui are some of our favorite Maui beaches.

Kayaking over coral reefs. Kayak tours are available, or you can rent a kayak on your own to see these stunning coral reefs and the colorful reef fish. Olowalu is a great spot to kayak. The reef at Olowalu on the west side of Maui near Lahaina is pretty amazing. And if you’re near Olowalu, be sure to stop in Leoda’s Pie Shop.

Circle West Maui. If you thought the Road to Hana was exciting, wait until you try this.  This narrow road that rounds West Maui and has steep mountain cliffs aren’t for the faint of heart, but you’re rewarded with fantastic views and great hikes. Start your trip at the Iao Valley to check out the Iao Needle and then continue up counter clockwise, stopping to hike down to the Olivine Pools, tide pools on barren lava rock on the ocean’s edge and the Nakelele Blowhole (don’t miss the heart-shaped rock nearby).  If it’s summertime, stop to snorkel at Honolua Bay and end your day with a sunset dinner in Lahaina.

Go whale watching. During the winter months, migrating humpback whales or “kohola” make Maui their home.  Dozens of companies offer whale watching excursions (the ones on the catamarans are best), but these amazing creatures are so plentiful that you can often spot them from shore.

Learn to Surf. Last, but certainly not least, is the unforgettable experience of learning to surf in Maui with Hawaiian Style Surf. Maui surf lessons are a must-have experience for every island vacationer. This ocean sport gives you a thrill you can only find by surfing the waves in Maui. Easier than it might seem, especially with assistance from the native Hawaiian instructors at Hawaiian Style, learning to surf provides a unique and memorable exhilaration that is truly Hawaiian. And learning to surf in Maui amid the paradisiac waters and amazing island views of this Hawaiian island is an extraordinary experience you just can’t pass up.


So, when you’re creating your “list of things to do in Maui,” don’t forget these 10 incredible, awesome adventures!

Companies Enjoy Maui Surf Lessons With Hawaiian Style Surf

Last month several different corporations visited Maui to celebrate great achievements in their organizations. As part of their vacation, they joined us for Maui surf lessons. We always really enjoy having these corporations and their families join us for Maui surfing and stand-up paddle lessons. We are a family-owned business ourselves, and so we love to see entire families learn to surf together. It’s a perfect bonding time for families as well as employees. Everyone can join together for Maui surf lessons. And you can really see the culture of the organization begin to strengthen as they all experience these voyages together.

State Farm Insurance families came out to Maui to surf with us all month long, doing three to four days of surfing and SUP lessons each week. Many were celebrating being a part of the State Farm Ambassador’s Club and enjoyed a week of surfing excitement while they were here. Hawaiian Style instructors Rick Leong, Cameo Ka’ahanui, Kaimana Leong, and Cheyne McDonald helped the State Farm families to increase their surfing and SUP skills. As part of the Maui surfing lessons package, video footage of their adventures was taken by GoPro cameras. You can see some of this great footage our Google+ and Facebook pages. Everyone did really awesome at surfing and most importantly had fun in the process!

The Morgan Stanley group joined us one afternoon for surfing lessons at Maui’s Ukumehame Beach Park. Although it was a little windy, that didn’t discourage this eager team of Maui surfers. Many of these great surfers got up quickly and rode the waves all the way to the beach! Check out these amazing videos on our Facebook and Google+ pages. These surfers were part of the Morgan Stanley Chairman’s Club, the top group of financial advisors.

The Eli Lilly and Company group came out to Kalama Beach Park for their Maui surfing lessons. Great surfing conditions welcomed the group that morning as the Eli Lilly President’s Club members and their families ventured out on the waves. Everyone learned how to surf very quickly and were up and going strong on the Maui waves that day. We also got some great videos of these Maui surfers using the GoPro. Eli Lilly and Company is an American-based global pharmaceutical company.

We also had an awesome time with our friends from Combined Insurance who joined us at Kalama Park early in the month of April. They were a fun group of surfers, and we got to capture some cool surfing footage on the GoPro cameras.

Logicalis Us also joined us at Kalama Park and discovered their love of surfing and stand-up paddle. These Logiscalis President’s Club members and their families had a great time as they found their own unique surfing styles in Maui’s gentle waters. We also have some cool videos of these Logicalis team members as they took on the waves. Logiscalis is an international IT and managed services provider.

Members of Zoetis, a global animal health company, joined us for some amazing Maui surfing and SUP lessons. There were a ton of good waves and light wind that day which made for a perfect group surfing event.

And our friends from Charles Schwab came out to Maui again and enjoyed a great day of surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Many from the Charles Schwab group had been surfing with us before, but once again had a blast as they tackled the ocean waves.

As each group paddled out and everyone caught that first wave, we could see the thrill of adventure and excitement to learn to surf on their faces. Everyone had an awesome time and we were just happy to be along for the ride. We host a variety of corporate surfing and SUP lessons throughout the year as companies bring their families and employees to the islands for some often much needed fun and relaxation. Keep us in mind for your next corporate Maui event!

Beginner's Tips for Learning To Surfing in Maui

Thrilling adventures await you in Maui. One of the many exciting things to do in Maui is learn to surf. Locals and tourists alike will tell you that there’s nothing quite like it. A rush of exhilaration sweeps over you while you’re surfing that will remain with you for years after and will beckon you want to return to the islands.

If you’re just starting out on your surfing adventure, you may have some anxiety about learning to ride the waves in Maui. Don’t let this normal apprehension stop you from experiencing the exhilaration of surfing. Learning to surf in Maui is a very fun and satisfying experience and may not be as hard as it at first appears. Remember that you will also have our experienced surfing instructors close by to assist you along the way. But below are some helpful Maui surfing tips to get you started on your voyage.

The right surfboard and surfing gear. Beginners usually do better with longer surfboards. A longer, thicker, and wider board will be more stable and easier to paddle. Generally, a longboard that is about 7 feet 8 inches or more will be good for even a petite surfer to start with. A wider and thicker softboard, or foam board, will float easier, giving you a smoother ride to paddle and stand-up on.

It’s a good idea to have a leash attached to your surfboard to avoid losing your board in the waves. A wet suit will help to act as a rash guard and shield your skin from rubbing against the board.

Find the right surfing location. It’s best for beginners to stay away from the larger and rougher waves. Beaches with sandy, straight shores, nice sandbars, and the least amount of reefs and rocks are best. In these calmer areas, waves will reach about 3 feet high, which are good for beginners. The two areas we give surfing lessons at in Maui are great for both beginners as well as more advanced longboard surfers.

Lying on your surfboard. What position is surfboard’s nose in when it lies by itself on the water? When you lie on the board, the nose should still lie flat on the water, just somewhat lower. If you lie on the board and the nose falls below the water, this is called “poking tako,” and you must slide back gently until the board once again lies flat on the water. Too much weight on the back of the board will cause the nose to stick out of the water, which will also stop you from successfully catching a wave. So, you will have to find a balance point or “sweet spot” on which to lie on the board. After you find this balance point, notice where your chin is in relation to the board. This spot will serve as a good reference point of where to lie to balance your board.

Paddling for the wave. It’s best to paddle hand over hand, moving left and then right. This will allow you to keep up a steady speed in the water, which will make it easier and less exhaustive for you to paddle to the break. While paddling, remember to keep your body rigid. This will mean keeping your head up and using your core muscles to stroke rather than just your arms. Also remember to keep both legs on the board and not drag them on the sides.

Standing on the board. When first learning to stand on your board, it’s best to rehearse on the beach first. Lie on the board on your chest with your head up, looking forward. Place your hands on the board parallel to your chest and grab the rail of the board. Push your upper body up and at the same time, bend your feet under you. Make sure your feet are on the stringer, or center of the board, to help keep your weight centered. When you first pop up, remember to keep your “okole” or rear end low. Continue to look forward as you begin to stand upright and get your balance. Use your arms by pointing forward or outward for balance.

Falling off the board. Always protect your head, when you fall of your board. Try to stay under water for a little longer than necessary to allow your board to land on the water’s surface and not on you. When you come up, try to face the approaching waves and look for your board’s whereabouts immediately.

Remember proper surfing etiquette. The first standing surfer that is closest to the peak of the break has the right of way on that wave, and so other surfers paddling for that wave should stop and yield to him or her. This means that as a surfer you will need to get out of the way of the surfer riding the wave whenever possible, even if you must go into a breaking wave or behind the rider.

If you are paddling out for a wave and a surfer is paddling out toward you, make eye contact with that person and specify the direction you intend to go in reference to them. Always show respect for fellow surfers or stand-up paddlers.

These are just a few basic surfing tips that will hopefully help you overcome any initial fear of surfing in Maui. Our professional, local Maui surfing instructors can teach you everything you need to know to successfully learn how to surf. Just keep practicing, and you’ll discover a love of surfing that only the shores of Maui can teach you.