by River Roshana

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: June 02, 2009

One of the best places to take surfing lessons if you happen to be in Honolulu is the Hans Hedeman Surf School as most new surfers recently swear. From the point of view of the surfer, though the place may be may be hard to find because it's located behind Starbucks (off Kalakaua Ave) , the staff are extremely sensitive to the fact that most their customers do not KNOW anything about surfing yet.

A parent who recently visited Honolulu cited the Hans Hedeman as THE best because the surfing teachers teach as a team and seem to be sensitive about the fears of their students. They are trained to teach all types of individuals from kids to adults and they start by giving their new student a ten minute "land lesson" which makes the wanna-be surfer aware of everything that will or may happen the moment he/she tries the waters. What most people don't know about these teachers is that they are top flight surfers, one or two of the have beaten popular surfers like Kelly Slater or have "made" surfers like him.

Hans Hedeman School does not give up on individuals who have "little" (or big) fears. They realize that they have to relate to each of their students on a personal level, gain their trust in minutes before they teach them how to surf. There is also the different types of underwater reefs which make an ideal comfort zone for the beginner, the average and advanced surfers. Thus, even the environment is suited to psyche the student to become comfortable with the surfing environment. It also isn't just the physical preparation but the spiritual preparation as well. One person who experienced being instructed by Seth Elmer, one of the best instructors of the Hand Hedeman School explained that just before a student gos to the water, Seth Elmer explains the history of surfing and Leonardo's theories about waterand how the old royalty of Hawaii connected the "aloha spirit" with the waters.

The moment the paddling gets more difficult as one is in the waters, the instructors do not give up on the student, nor do they discourage them. Instead, they help the student paddle through the waves by pushing the surf in the right direction. Thus, the student feels like he is already in partnership (or a teammate) of a senior surfer and this gives him the motivation and courage to carry on. Though surfing is admittedly difficult most surfers who take lessons at the Hans Hedeman School swear that after an hour they feel more confident about hitting the waves. They do guarantee that every student WILL stand up by the time he/she meets the second wave and 98 percent do which is proof enough that this is one - if not the best surfing school - in the world.

Another upcoming good school for surfers recently is Girls Who Surf located at Honolulu Hawaii. Managed by a top female surfer called "Cherry" Girls Who Surf offers basic, elementary and advanced surfing lessons for females. Like the Hans Hedeman School, they also have had good reviews particularly from starters who swear that after an hour of lessons, they have learned to tackle a wave or two. Private (or individual ) lessons are available at 150 dollars an hour while group lessons cost 75 bucks. Though most of the reviews of Girls Who Surf are GOOD they still aren't as popular as the Hans Hedeman though it is definitely picking up in popularity and reputation as a good surfing school.

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