Surf Coaching in Waikiki & on Oahu

Personalized surf coaching for intermediate and advanced surfers with experienced local coaches, carefully selected, less crowded waves, and a focus on real progression.

Ages: 3+

Duration: 2 Hours

Locations: Waikiki, South Shore, East Side

Times: 10:30am & 2:30pm

If seeking alternate times: Call (808) 371-9504

*All surfers featured here are Hook Up Surfing coaching clients. Many started with their very first lesson here and continued developing into the surfers you see today.

Hook Up Surfing surf client longboarding at an off-the-beaten-path location on Oahu on a partly cloudy day.

5-Star Rated Surf School | 25+ Years Experience | Lessons & Coaching | Waikiki & Oahu

Hook Up Surfing surf client shortboarding on a Waikiki wave on a sunny day.

Customized Surf Coaching in Waikiki & Oahu

The Hook Up Surfing Difference

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Progress Faster. Surf Smarter. Build Confidence in Real Waves.

Surf coaching is designed for surfers who are ready to move beyond simply standing up and begin developing the skills that lead to long-term progression.

Whether you're a newer surfer looking to become more independent, an intermediate surfer working through a plateau, or an experienced surfer refining technique, every coaching session is tailored to your goals, experience level, and the day's conditions.

For over 25 years, our coaches have helped surfers develop the skills needed to catch more waves, improve positioning, understand wave selection, navigate lineups confidently, and continue progressing long after their first surf session.

Coaching Built Around Your Goals

Every surfer's journey looks different.

Some surfers want to improve consistency and confidence. Others want to transition from a longboard to a shortboard, improve turns, generate speed, surf larger waves, or better understand ocean conditions.

Rather than following a one-size-fits-all lesson plan, we identify the specific skills that will create the biggest improvements in your surfing and build a progression around them.

Learn to Read the Ocean

One of the most valuable skills a surfer can develop is understanding the ocean itself.

Great surfing is not simply about technique. It's about positioning, wave selection, timing, awareness, and decision-making.

Our coaching helps surfers understand why waves break the way they do, how to position effectively, how to identify quality waves, and how to make better decisions in changing conditions.

These are the skills that help surfers become more independent, confident, and successful wherever they surf.

Experienced Surf Coaches Accelerate Progress

The fastest progress often comes from having an experienced coach identify what is holding you back.

Many surfers spend years repeating the same habits without realizing it. Through personalized feedback, proven teaching progressions, and carefully selected surf locations, we help surfers break through plateaus and reach their goals faster.

Whether your goal is catching your first unassisted green wave, improving technique, or becoming a more complete surfer, our coaching is designed to help you progress efficiently while enjoying the process.

Become the Surfer You Want to Be

Our goal is not simply to help you catch more waves during a session.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to continue progressing every time you paddle out.

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Whether you’re building foundations, refining technique, or working toward bigger goals, our pricing for lessons, coaching, and surf guide services stays consistent across services, and the experience is always tailored to you.

Surf Coaching Options

Hook Up Surfing student riding a large overhead wave after progressing through beginner surf lessons in Waikiki

Customized one-on-one surf coaching for all levels.

$199.00 + taxes & booking fee

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki, Oahu South Shore

Minimum age: 3 years old.

20% Discount for locals, active military, emergency services, law enforcement, & federal employees

Additional Options:

GoPro +$60 pp

Surf Lesson on other parts of the island + $75

Premium 3 Hour Surf Coaching Session with GoPro: $300 (Call to Book)

Private Surf Coaching

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Five real surf coaching students posing together on the beach after a session in Waikiki beach holding surfboards, smiling.

Semi-Private Surf Coaching

Customized Semi-Private Surf Coaching for all levels.

$149 per person + taxes & booking fee

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki, Oahu South Shore

Your own party - up 2 - 4 people per coach

Minimum age is 10 years old.

15% Discount for locals, active military, emergency services, law enforcement, & federal employees

Additional Options:

GoPro +$60 pp

Surf Lesson on other parts of the island + $50 pp

Premium 3 Hour Surf Coaching Session with GoPro: $225 pp (Call to Book)

Reserve Your Surf Session

Surf Coaching 10 Session Packages

Family of three children smiling as they lie on surfboards while learning ocean safety and surfing fundamentals during beginner surf lessons on Oahu.

10 Semi-Private Surf Coaching Session Series, South Shore

$1225+ taxes & booking fee per person

Customized surf instruction for all levels. Minimum age is 10 years old.

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki, Oahu South Shore

Your own party - up 2 - 4 people per coach

Reserve 10 Semi-Private Sessions Series
Hook-Up Surfing beginner student riding a head-high wave during a surf lesson in Waikiki

10 Private Surf Coaching Session Series, South Shore

$1550+ taxes & booking fee per person

Customized one-on-one surf coaching for all levels. Minimum age is 3 years old.

2 Hours Duration

Waikiki, Oahu South Shore

Reserve 10 Private Session Series
A Hook Up Surfing client surfing on the North Shore of Oahu near a lush, hilly coastline with houses and palm trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

10 Private Surf Coaching Session Series, NE Oahu

$1900+ taxes & booking fee per person

Customized one-on-one surf coaching for all levels. Minimum age is 12 years old.

2 Hours Duration

Oahu, North East Side

Reserve 10 Northeast Oahu Session Series

  • Shortboard Progression

    I wanted to get instruction on short boarding and Ivan delivered. I was having trouble stepping down from a long board, and Ivan was able to easily identify what I was doing wrong with my pop up, stance and turning. Progressed significantly in the span of a two hour lesson. My confidence has increased tremendously and most of all I had an absolute blast. I will be booking a series of lessons as a return customer. — Matty (TripAdvisor)

  • Awesome!

    I recently moved to Hawaii from California and wanted to progress my surfing. Having worked with Ivan years ago when I first started, I remembered his instruction and teaching style and decided to surf with him again on a more regular basis. With Ivan, my surfing has improved so much! I went from cruising an 8ft board on gentle point break waves to riding a short board in 8-10 ft steep faces (waves that I would never EVER attempt before) in just a few short months. Thanks to his coaching, the transition to shortboard was easy, and I'm riding way more confidently and I'm progressing into actual maneuvers now. And I know that if I continue to with Ivan's coaching, barrels are in the near future. 🙌

    If you're a beginner and want to learn how to surf, Ivan and Hookup Surfing will get you up and riding correctly in no time. If you're an intermediate like me who wants to advance their skills or move to shortboard - this is where it's at! — kdgray83 (TripAdvisor)

  • Incredible Surfing Vacation

    Thank you Ivan Duque & Jennifer Lee for the most incredible surf vacation, taking us to the 3 different surf breaks based on wave conditions, & making time for us. I and my 10 year old son progressed significantly during the week sizing down boards. Myself from 12ft to 9, and my son from 9 to 7....I think another week may get us close to shortboard territory! Recall I have only surfed twice before this! We hope to see you again! — KChoi99 (TripAdvisor)

  • Best surfing lessons I've had in 4 countries!

    I just wanted to say thank you so much to Ivan and Jen! Me and my 2 friends (32-35 years old) decided to take some surfing lessons while in Honolulu. There are tons of surf lessons all over, both on the beach and online. Some are cheaper than others, but in the end through some good reviews we decided to go with Ivan and Jen at hookup surfing and thank god we did. These guys were amazing and the lessons were great! Now all 3 of us have taken surf lessons before in Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and other countries but we are still beginners by far. I will say that in the first 10 minutes with Ivan and Jen we learned more than we had in any other surf lessons. They were phenomenal at teaching and improving our form and technique. They also weren't lazy about the lessons at all. We could see tons of people doing lessons near the shore where there were no waves and Ivan and Jen took us out pretty deep to catch some great long waves to learn on. It was an exhausting swim out there but totally worth it as we caught some of the best waves we had ever caught and actually surfed them! They also spent more than the amount of time that we had paid for with us to ensure we had a great time.
    We would have gone for a second private lesson if the weather had held out, sadly it didn't but I can't recommend them enough. We will definitely be back to take more lessons from them on our next trip! — Wilfred T. (TripAdvisor)

  • This was why I came to Hawaii

    I took a lesson with Ivan a year ago. When I planned my trip this year, one of the first things I did was schedule more lessons with Ivan. I book-ended my Hawaii trip by surfing the first and last day with Ivan. These two lessons really helped me improve my surfing. After each wave he pointed out what worked and what I needed to do to improve. He was able to see and help me correct my technique. Ivan really helped me to feel comfortable surfing. He does more than just take you out for two hours in the water, he works with you to become more confident surfing. In short, he wants you to enjoy surfing as much as he does. Also, think about purchasing the video/photos. Now that my vacation is over, I can look at those photos and remember how much fun I had surfing Finally, don't think you might be too old for this. I am turning 60 and had a blast surfing. — James G. (TripAdvisor)

  • Awesome Coaching!

    Surf coaching from Ivan is a must do. He makes sure you learn at your level and he will make sure you catch as many waves as possible. I've done lessons with him a few times over the last few years and I'm hooked. Some of my best surfing has been with him. I recommend the private lesson to improve your surfing at any level. — Christi B (TripAdvisor)

A Hook Up Surfing surf student surfing a wave in the Waikiki under a blue sky with a few clouds.

Who is Surf Coaching For?

Surf coaching is designed for surfers who want to progress faster.

Whether you're learning to catch your own waves, surf down the line, generate speed, learn how to turn, improve your turns, transition from a longboard to a shortboard, or simply gain confidence in larger surf, personalized coaching can dramatically accelerate your progress.

Many surfers spend years repeating the same mistakes without realizing it. Our coaching sessions identify the specific skills holding you back and provide a clear progression to help you break through plateaus and reach your goals faster.

We've coached surfers ranging from recent beginners to experienced surfers looking to refine advanced maneuvers and improve performance in a wider variety of wave conditions.

Reserve Your Surf Session

Your Questions, Answered

  • Surf lessons are designed to help new surfers learn the fundamentals and catch waves safely. Surf coaching is designed for surfers who already have some experience and want to progress faster. Coaching focuses on personalized feedback, technique, wave selection, positioning, ocean awareness, and the specific skills needed to reach your next surfing goal.

  • Yes.

    Many surfers reach a point where progress slows despite spending more time in the water.

    Our coaching helps identify the habits, techniques, and decision-making skills that may be limiting your progress and provides a clear path forward to success based on your goals and experience level.

  • Absolutely. We specialize in helping surfers transition from longboards to shortboards.

    Transitioning to a shorter board requires adjustments in paddling, positioning, wave selection, timing, and technique.

    We regularly help surfers make the transition successfully while building confidence and consistency in a variety of wave conditions.

  • Depending on your experience and goals, coaching may focus on wave selection, positioning, timing, reading the ocean, paddling efficiency, turning, generating speed, surfing bigger and steeper waves, turning, maneuvers, duck diving, transitioning down or up in board size, lineup awareness, and overall surfing technique.

  • Learning to read waves is one of the most valuable skills a surfer can develop. Our coaching helps surfers understand positioning, timing, wave selection, ocean dynamics, and decision-making so they can become more independent and confident surfers wherever they paddle out.

  • Every surfer has different goals, so every coaching session looks a little different.

    For surfers with prior experience, we typically spend the first 10–15 minutes discussing your goals, evaluating current skills, and identifying what we want to focus on during the session. From there, we head into the water and begin working on the skills that will have the greatest impact on your surfing.

    For multi-day coaching programs and session series, we may head straight into the water depending on your goals, conditions, and what we are working on that day.

    Our coaching is designed to provide clear feedback, measurable progress, and a personalized path toward becoming a more confident and capable surfer.

  • We provide a wide range of surfboards to match your goals and ability level, including beginner-friendly boards, performance longboards, and premium shortboards. If you have your own board and would like coaching on equipment you're already surfing, you're welcome to bring it.

    We also provide rashguards and wax when needed.

    We recommend bringing water, sunscreen, and a towel. GoPro rentals may be available for surfers interested in capturing footage of their session.

  • Over the years, we've had the privilege of helping thousands of surfers develop their skills and confidence in the water.

    We've worked with everyone from first-time beginners learning to catch their own waves to experienced surfers refining advanced techniques, competing in contests, and transitioning from longboards to shortboards.

    One of the things we're most proud of is seeing former students continue surfing years after working with us. Because we coach both visitors and local residents, it's not uncommon to paddle out somewhere on Oahu and see surfers who have progressed through our coaching programs still enjoying the sport today.

  • If you can already catch waves but feel stuck, frustrated, or unsure how to continue improving, coaching may be a great fit.

    Many surfers reach a plateau where spending more time in the water alone no longer leads to significant progress.

    Coaching provides personalized feedback, clear goals, and focused progression designed to help you improve more efficiently.

  • Yes.

    One of the primary goals of coaching is helping surfers become more confident and self-sufficient in the water.

    By improving ocean awareness, positioning, wave selection, timing, and decision-making, surfers develop skills that allow them to continue progressing wherever they surf.

Improve Your Surfing With Us Today

Reserve Your Surf Session