PRIVATE SURF LESSONS (1-ON-1) — NORTH SHORE, OAHU

One-on-one coaching with your own personal instructor, custom-built around you. Whether you've never touched a board, don't swim well, or you're ready to push past the beginner stage, a private lesson means every wave, every tip, and every minute of your 2 hours is focused on you. Rated 5 out of 5 stars by more than 300 happy surfers.

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QUICK FACTS

Location: Puaena Point, Haleiwa, North Shore Oahu

Duration: Up to 2 hours - Guaranteed to surf!

Price: $199 per surfer

Skill Level: Complete beginners through advanced, non-swimmers welcome

Ages: 3 and up (we've even had infants onboard!)

Equipment Included: Beginner board, leash, surf shirt

Instructor Ratio: 1-on-1, just you and your instructor

Best Time of Year: Summer (May-September) for the calmest, most beginner-friendly waves

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WHY CHOOSE A PRIVATE SURF LESSON

A private lesson is for anyone who wants the fastest, safest way to learn, or the most focused way to improve. You get 100% of your instructor's attention for the full two hours, no sharing waves, no waiting your turn, no group pace to keep up with. We've successfully taught guests who don't swim, guests who are legally blind, grandparents in their 80s, and families with infants onboard the board with them. If you're already comfortable in the water and want to level up your pop-up, turns, or wave selection, a private lesson lets your instructor coach you 1-on-1 exactly where you're at.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

Check-In: We text you exact directions to Puaena Point early on the morning of your lesson, so you're never guessing where to go.

Meet Your Instructor: You'll meet Dominic or one of our local pro instructors right on the beach.

Safety Briefing: A short rundown of the conditions that day, water safety, and how the lesson will flow.

Beach Lesson: We start on the sand, practicing your pop-up and stance until it feels natural.

Ocean Lesson: We move into the water together, your instructor paddling and guiding you into every wave.

Standing Up: Because it's 1-on-1, we can slow down or speed up entirely based on you, most first-timers are standing up on their first day.

Photos: We'll capture your best moments so you have something to remember.

Finish: We wrap up around the 2-hour mark, or once you've truly gotten your fill of waves.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

Beginner surfboard, leash, and surf shirt

1-on-1 instruction for up to 2 hours

Water safety and supervision

Local tips on conditions, etiquette, and the best spots for your skill level

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WHAT TO BRING

Show up wearing your swimsuit and sunscreen! Be hydrated and bring a towel.

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WHO THIS LESSON IS PERFECT FOR

First-timers who want to learn at their own pace, without a group

Non-swimmers and nervous beginners who want extra reassurance in the water

Legally blind guests, yes, we've done it, successfully

Grandparents and older adults easing into a bucket-list experience

Parents wanting an infant onboard with them for a family memory

Intermediate and advanced surfers ready to level up with focused coaching

Couples or solo travelers who'd rather not share their lesson with strangers

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WHY LEARN AT PUAENA POINT

Puaena Point is one of the best-kept beginner secrets on the North Shore. The sandy bottom, gentle rolling waves, and easy paddle out make it forgiving for first-timers, while the point still produces fun waves for surfers looking to progress. In the summer months, the North Shore's famous big winter swells go flat, leaving small, mellow, playful waves, not the giant surf this coastline is known for in winter. We chose this spot because it lets us say yes to nearly anyone, from a 3-year-old's first wave to a grandparent's bucket-list moment.

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SAFETY FIRST

Your instructor is a professional rescue lifeguard with 20 years of experience, so safety is built into every part of the lesson. We check ocean conditions, currents, tides, and weather before every session, and we'll always make the call to adjust location or timing if conditions aren't right for you. Because private lessons are 1-on-1, your instructor is watching you and only you the entire time, there's no dividing attention between multiple students.

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN'T FAKE

Your instructor, Dominic Del Rosario, was born and raised in the surf on the Big Island of Hawaii, with over 30 years of surfing and traveling experience. He's a Professional Rescue Lifeguard of 20 years, served as President of the Hawaiian Surfing Association B.I. from 2014-2018, and has been a certified ISA competitive surfing judge since 2010. That means real, lived experience reading ocean conditions, currents, tides, seasons, and weather, plus the etiquette and flow of surfing in heavier or competitive conditions, the kind of insider knowledge that only comes from a lifetime in the water.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Can I do a private lesson if I can't swim well?

Yes. We've successfully taught non-swimmers, and your instructor is a professional lifeguard who stays with you the entire time.

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Is there a minimum age?

We welcome ages 3 and up, and we've even had infants onboard with a parent.

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What if it rains?

Hawaii rain often passes quickly, and warm-water lessons can usually continue. If conditions aren't safe, we'll text you to reschedule.

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Do I need any experience?

None at all. Most of our private lesson guests are complete beginners.

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Will I be surfing big waves?

No. We choose gentle, sandy-bottom beginner waves at Puaena Point, not the big winter surf the North Shore is famous for.

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Where do we meet?

We'll text you exact directions to the beach early on the morning of your lesson.

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Can family or friends watch?

Yes, spectators are welcome on the beach.

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What should I wear?

A swimsuit, with sunscreen already applied.

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Should I tip my instructor?

Tips are always appreciated but never required.

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Can I bring a GoPro or camera?

Yes, feel free to bring one, and we'll also take photos for you during the lesson.

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How is a private lesson different from a group lesson?

A private lesson is 1-on-1 with your instructor for the full two hours, so pacing, coaching, and wave selection are entirely centered on you.

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What if I want to bring my whole family instead?

Check out our Private Party Surf Lessons page, built for groups of 2 or more.

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Can I do a private lesson to level up past beginner?

Absolutely. Many of our private lesson guests are intermediate surfers working on specific skills with focused 1-on-1 coaching.

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Do you provide the surfboard?

Yes, a beginner board, leash, and surf shirt are included.

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What's the cancellation policy?

Unused passes can be canceled for a full refund within 14 days of purchase, as long as the lesson hasn't been scheduled or redeemed.

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REVIEWS

We're rated 5 out of 5 stars from more than 300 reviews across our surf lessons (some listed under Kona Surf Company). Guests consistently mention how patient and encouraging Dom and our instructors are, especially with nervous beginners and non-swimmers.

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RELATED GUIDES

Group Surf Lessons

Private Party Surf Lessons

Packages & Rates

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READY FOR YOUR OWN PRIVATE LESSON?

Book your 1-on-1 private surf lesson today, and get two hours of undivided attention in the water with a local pro.

808-333-7375

BOOK NOW