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

Catch your first wave with help. Island Fiel Surf offers a private 90-minute lesson on Oahu for beginners and improving surfers, with an instructor focused on safety, confidence, and steady progress. The lesson includes a land demonstration, equipment, secured lockers, and surf photos, which gives you more than a quick rental and a few rushed tips.

I like the one-on-one format and the fact that the instruction is adjusted to each student. I also like the friendly, energetic teaching style associated with Eddie, who has helped everyone from first-timers to advanced beginners. The main consideration is the $130 price per person, which is reasonable for private instruction but higher than a basic group lesson or board rental.

Key points to know before booking

• Private instruction: Only your group participates, so the lesson can match your ability and comfort level.
• A full 90 minutes: The schedule allows time for a 10 to 15-minute land lesson, five minutes of equipment preparation, and ocean time after that.
• Safety comes first: You learn basic surfing technique and ocean safety before entering the water.
• Equipment is included: You receive an NSP longboard, reef shoes, and either an Excel dry suit top or rash guard.
• Photos are included: Surf photos come with the lesson, while GoPro footage costs extra.
• Ala Moana location: Meet at Pau Hana Sailing at 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, then return to the same meeting point.

A private lesson built around your ability

The chief advantage here is the private setup. You are not placed into a large class where the instructor must divide attention among many students. Your group gets the lesson, and the instructor can adjust the pace to suit your comfort in the water.

That matters for a first surfing experience. Some people arrive eager but nervous about the ocean. Others have tried surfing before and mainly need better timing, balance, or wave selection. The lesson is designed to support both types of students, rather than assuming everyone starts at the same point.

I especially like the promise of a custom land demonstration. The instructor does not simply run through a memorized speech and send you toward the waves. The stated goal is to answer your questions and make you feel ready before entering the ocean.

The activity is open to any level. The available feedback points to lessons working well for complete beginners, children, and advanced beginners who want to catch more waves. One student even chose a more technical board instead of the larger, easier option and succeeded during the lesson. That suggests the instructor may help you stretch your skills, but you should still speak up if you want the most stable board available.

The 10 to 15-minute beach lesson

Your session starts on land with a 10 to 15-minute demonstration. This is not wasted time. For a beginner, it is where the basic movements begin to make sense without waves, wind, and balance competing for your attention.

You can expect instruction on the fundamentals of surfing and ocean safety. The exact content is adjusted to the students, but the available details indicate that you will work on the basics before carrying the board into the water.

This short briefing is valuable for two reasons. First, it helps you understand what to do when a wave arrives. Second, it gives you a chance to ask questions before you are standing in the ocean trying to remember several instructions at once.

The safety part matters just as much as the surfing technique. A good first lesson should help you feel more aware of the water, your board, and your own limits. Island Fiel Surf puts that information before the ocean portion, which is the right order.

Do not expect the land portion to be a long surfing lecture. It lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. The goal is practical preparation, not a full course in surf theory.

Five minutes to get fitted and ready

After the land demonstration, about five minutes are set aside for equipment preparation. The included gear is practical and aimed at making the lesson easier and more comfortable.

You can use an Excel dry suit top or a rash guard, along with reef shoes. The dry suit top can provide extra protection from the water and board, while the rash guard offers a lighter option. Reef shoes are useful for foot protection in the water, though the available details do not specify the exact beach or ocean-floor conditions on the day of your lesson.

The main equipment is an NSP longboard. A longboard is generally a sensible choice for an introductory lesson because it offers a broad, stable platform. The instructor can also help decide if you are ready for something more technical. That choice should be based on your balance, comfort, and goals, not on pride.

You also get a secured locker for your belongings. This is a small but useful feature. You can focus on the lesson without carrying a phone, wallet, or room key into the water. As with any locker, you should still bring only what you need.

When the 90 minutes really begins

The clock deserves a close look. The listed duration is about 90 minutes, but ocean time begins when you enter the water. The 10 to 15-minute land demonstration and roughly five minutes of preparation happen first.

That means you should not assume you will receive 90 full minutes of surfing after the briefing. The total scheduled experience is approximately an hour and a half, including preparation. This is a normal arrangement for a lesson, but it is worth knowing so your expectations match the schedule.

Once you enter the ocean, the stated average is one wave every five minutes or less. That is an encouraging target because beginners need repeated attempts. A single successful ride can feel exciting, but several chances let you correct mistakes and build a better sense of timing.

The exact number of waves will depend on ocean conditions, your ability, and the pace of the session. The experience requires good weather, and conditions can affect the lesson. Still, the private format gives the instructor room to keep working with you rather than simply ending after one successful ride.

The supplied information does not promise that every wave will become a long ride. That is important. Surfing depends on the water, and the first goal should be safe, controlled attempts. If you catch a wave and stay upright, that is progress. If you manage a longer ride, enjoy the bonus.

Eddie’s teaching style and personal attention

The instructor named most often in the available feedback is Eddie. The descriptions of his teaching are unusually specific: patient, positive, kind, and willing to spend extra time helping a student feel successful.

One family described Eddie working carefully with their son and making sure he gained confidence. Another student who had never surfed, and had not spent much time far out in the ocean, credited Eddie with explaining both wave riding and ocean safety in a way that made the water feel approachable.

The tone also sounds lively rather than formal. Eddie is described as encouraging people around the beach and bringing a New York-style energy to the lesson. One advanced beginner recalled catching many waves and riding for close to a minute at times, then watching Eddie perform playful surfing tricks nearby.

That kind of personality can make a real difference. A nervous beginner often needs clear instructions, but also needs an instructor who does not make mistakes feel embarrassing. Eddie’s reported style seems aimed at keeping the mood light while still helping students improve.

At the same time, personality is personal. If you prefer a quiet, highly structured lesson, ask questions at the start and explain how much coaching you want. The private format gives you a good chance to shape the session.

Photos included, videos at extra cost

Surf photos are included in the price. This is one of the better value points because you can concentrate on surfing instead of asking a friend to stand on shore with a phone.

Photos also give you a useful way to see your technique. You may feel balanced in the moment and then notice from a picture that your stance is too narrow, your knees are locked, or your hands are in the wrong position. Even a simple image can help you understand what the instructor is correcting.

GoPro footage is not included. Available options are a savable link for $39.99, an SD card for $49.99, or a complete edited video for $74.99.

Those add-ons are optional, so the $130 base price does not tell the whole story if you want a polished video. I would decide before the lesson if moving footage matters to you. If photos are enough, the included package is simpler. If this is a major family memory or a first-surf milestone, the edited video may be worth considering, but it can push the total cost well above the advertised rate.

Is $130 a fair price?

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to touch a surfboard on Oahu. You are paying for private instruction, equipment, safety guidance, lockers, and included photos, not just water time.

The price makes more sense for a first-timer who wants personal help. A private instructor can correct your position quickly and keep the session focused on your needs. That can save frustration compared with sharing an instructor with a large group.

It is also a reasonable choice for an advanced beginner who wants to improve. The feedback describes students catching many waves and trying a more technical board with instructor support. If you already know how to stand but struggle with timing or confidence, private coaching may give you more useful practice than a basic introductory group class.

The value is less clear if you only want to try a board for a few minutes or are comfortable learning with minimal help. In that case, a rental or less expensive group option may suit you better. The included photos add value, but the paid video packages can change the final cost.

Group discounts are available, though the supplied information does not state the discount amount. If you are booking for several people, ask about the group rate before paying.

Meeting at Pau Hana Sailing in Honolulu

The meeting point is Pau Hana Sailing, at 1651 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the arrival and departure plan simple.

The location is near public transportation, so you may be able to reach it without a car. The information does not give a specific bus route, parking arrangement, or walking time, so check your own route before the lesson.

Plan enough time to arrive ready for the land demonstration. You will need to check in, get prepared, and listen to the safety instructions before ocean time begins. Since the total duration is about 90 minutes, arriving late could reduce the part of the lesson you most want: time in the water.

This is a mobile-ticket activity. Confirmation is provided at booking, and you can keep the ticket on your phone.

Who will get the most from this lesson?

I would recommend this experience most strongly to:

• First-time surfers who want private help
• Families with a child who needs patient encouragement
• Couples or small groups who want to learn together
• Advanced beginners working on confidence and wave timing
• Visitors who want included photos of the experience
• Students who value ocean-safety instruction before surfing

The lesson can suit most participants, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed medical, mobility, or age requirements. If you have a condition that affects swimming, balance, or ocean activity, contact the provider before booking.

This is not a sightseeing cruise or a beach visit with a short surfing add-on. The central purpose is instruction. You should book it because you want to learn and practice, not simply because you want to stand on a board for a photograph.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

The experience is often booked about 43 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early if your Oahu dates are fixed, especially if you need a particular time or are booking for a group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time.

Good weather is required. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This policy is helpful for an outdoor activity, since forcing a lesson into bad conditions would not serve you or the instructor.

Should you book Island Fiel Surf?

Book it if you want a personal, encouraging introduction to surfing and like the idea of having an instructor focus on your group. The strongest reasons are the custom land lesson, ocean-safety guidance, included equipment, included photos, and the patient teaching style associated with Eddie.

Think twice if $130 feels high for a 90-minute activity, or if you mainly want casual board rental time. Also remember that the advertised duration includes preparation, and GoPro video costs extra.

For a first surf lesson on Oahu, I think the private format makes the price easier to justify. You get repeated attempts, direct feedback, and a better chance of leaving with real confidence rather than a quick taste and a sore guess about what went wrong.

FAQ

How long does the private surf lesson last?

The experience lasts approximately 90 minutes. This includes a 10 to 15-minute land demonstration and about five minutes of equipment preparation.

When does ocean time begin?

Ocean time begins when you enter the water, after the land demonstration and equipment preparation.

What is included in the price?

The price includes private instruction, surf photos, an Excel dry suit top or rash guard, an NSP longboard, reef shoes, and secured lockers for belongings.

Are surf photos included?

Yes. Surf photos are included with the experience.

Is GoPro video included?

No. GoPro footage costs extra. Options include a $39.99 savable link, a $49.99 SD card, or a $74.99 complete edited video.

What board will I use?

The included board is an NSP longboard. The instructor may help determine if a more technical board is suitable for you.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Where does the lesson meet?

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

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity supports all levels and includes basic surfing instruction and ocean safety before you enter the water.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not refunded. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.