Surfing 101

When the words “surf” and “North Shore” fall serendipitously into the same sentence, one hardly expects to find the word “school” tagging alongside. Surf Hawaii 4 U, a locally-based Hawaiian surf school with a lot of personality, looks to change this conception.

In the summer months, when the water on the Hawaiian beaches is clear and the waves calm, the North Shore actually lends itself to the adventurous traveler to Hawaii who wants to learn to surf. Edison de Paula, a world-class big wave rider, heads up the school. When he’s not recklessly flying down the face of a 60 ft. wall of rushing water, Edison’s focus is teaching novices to surf in Hawaii. Edison is an expert instructor, certified in basically every type of water rescue that exists. His enthusiasm lends itself generously to the business of teaching travelers to Hawaii, and the only screams coming from the water are “yahoos!” What’s more, he has an astronomical success rate; even the clumsiest Hawaiian tourists end up standing on a wave.

Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet, and it’s no wonder—the exhilaration of taking off on a thrusting North Shore Hawaiian wave is tough to beat. Edison’s surf school opens the door into this world, and his lesson is a foothold you should not miss. His most popular, and most useful, three-hour introductory course is $150.

Surf Hawaii 4 U, 808-295-1241; www.surfhawaii4u.com. MC/V.