I took lessons with Al. He is amazing. Teaches safety and details with surfing for beginners like me. He is funny but serious when it deals with safety issues, getting up, and getting down from the wave. He took his time with me and made sure I was comfortable before getting out! I recommend these instructors. I did get up on 6 waves and felt confident during the experience. Thank you, Al you are amazing!!! read more

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My boyfriend and I took surf lessons with Al in the beginning of March. We paid for a semi-private lesson at 7am in the morning at the advice of my friend, and it was absolutely worth it! Very long time out in the water, and we didn't have to share our instructor's attention with anyone else! Al took us a south of the crowd, and gave great instructions on where exactly to meet up. He has a safe in his car and had all of the equipment we needed. That early in the morning it was completely empty and beautiful. Al gave really great instruction and felt more like an uncle than a commercial surfing instructor. He made sure we had fundamentals down so I could correct my positioning and form by myself. His critique after each fall were great. When I showed interest in how to read the waves, he happily taught me some things, despite that normally being reserved for the second or third surf lesson. My boyfriend and I were up on the board quickly and for most of the lesson. We were so stoked he let us know where to rent boards on our own for the rest of our stay. If we had had the time I definitely would have booked a lesson with him for another day. But I guess I'll just have to wait until my next O'ahu vacation. :) read more

"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" was pretty much my reaction today!! (Dec 23, '10) I have received 2 surfing lessons from Al Mahoe, one of the State Certified Instructors, & he's a laid back but no-nonsense instructor. While I was unable to stand & surf any waves during my first lesson (on July 31, '10, due to a very stiff ankle), my friend did straight away, & this time, my brother caught nearly every wave with Al's help & I myself surfed a handful, too! An animated GIF on their webpage reads "Young, old, or out of shape, we will get you waves." - I'm telling you, if *I* can get a wave, *anyone* can. Another fantastic thing about Alysha's Surf School is that it is AFFORDABLE. At this point, Hickam AFB no longer offers surfing lessons, so this is definitely a plus for many people since it is about the same price as what Hickam offered. They also provide a Rash Guard, Reef Shoes, & a soft-top surfboard for you to learn on. The only downside, which I don't think is a downside at all, is that there is no official address or office to go to. You schedule your lessons via e-mail or phone, & the instructor will pick you up from your hotel downtown (or if you live here, meet you at the spot, or meet you somewhere so you can follow them to the surf spot). They'll have everything you need right there. I'll definitely be returning to Al at Alysha's Surf School for at least one more lesson before we move away from Hawaii :) read more

Alysha Surf School - My brother & I with our instructor, Al! - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Me and my two 22yo daughters got up in no time!!! our instructor was patient, kind, positive and all around perfect for our beginner needs! Will def take another lesson next time on the island! Mahalo! read more

Two of us took an early morning lesson with Al and it was worth every penny! The lesson started out with a demo on positioning and how to get up on the board in a easy to follow sequence. We then worked on paddling and went down to the water soon after. Overall we had almost an hour and a half on the water. Al gave many great tips on how to improve and we got to ride many waves. Al is extremely knowledgeable. The lesson was in a nice secluded area and we were the only surfers on the water, which was perfect! By the time we ended the lesson all the other surf schools were unpacking and we were thankful for the lack of crowds. Al takes a personal interest in getting you the best experience possible. I would definitely book with Al over the other crowded lessons! read more

Wonderful surf lessons!! Amazing experience!! Learning to surf at Ala Moana and Waikiki waves has been my favorite part of my Hawaii trip. Even though I had an experience in bodyboarding when I was a teen, surfing was a very challenging. My surf instructor Albert did a great job of making sure safety is first priority and my board position is correct. He is very kind, nice and patient. Most importantly he taught me to ENJOY RIDING ON WAVES!! For the first lesson, I managed to stand up and wanted to learn more while I was in Hawaii. I took total 6 private classes (with discount rates. thank you!) with Albert at 7 am every morning. Early surfing is the best. It's uncrowded. With Albert's excellent teaching skill, I managed to pop up fast on a surfboard, go straight and sideways on smaller board by the time I left and had a really happy time surfing!! I would absolutely recommend Alysha Surf School to anybody who wants to enjoy the waves. Mahalo! read more

This review is a month late but My husband and I had an absolutely amazing experience!!!!! This was our first surf lesson ever, and Al is a wonderful instructor. He first taught us a few techniques on the sand and took us right out to Waikiki beach. My husband was able to stand up on the board and Al really tried to get me to stand but my fear overtook and I couldn't do it even though I got very close. You can't ask for more when it's your first time on a board and a 1.5 hr lesson. Additionally, we contacted the school last minute and Al was able to accommodate a private lesson with my husband and I. If I return to Hawaii, I will definitely book some private lessons with Al. read more

Al and Shelby were fantastic! The communicated with us right up until the lesson to make sure they had the appropriate gear for us. They were early to the meetup point which meant we could be in the water sooner than expected. The safety and lesson on the beach were short so we could hit the waves right away. They did a great job with all of us (ages 10, 15, 19, and 46)! I highly recommend them! read more

Alysha Surf School - All three kids at once! - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Prior to my lesson with Al here at Alysha Surf School, I had taken lessons at 2 other surf schools in Sydney and LA before, and this lesson with Al was *by far* the *BEST* lesson I had ever taken. The previous lessons I took at other surf schools were pretty similar and standard, instructor teaches you to get on your board, and then kind of pushes you off on a few waves here and there. Al went way beyond what I had expected and taught us so many things--how to spot a good wave, what's a good wave, how to weave, specific tips and advice as he watched us, etc. Honestly, when I saw the Yelp offer, I was tempted and also slightly skeptical--could this class, at half the price of what other schools in the same area are offering, be as good..? It *definitely* was way better than I could possibly have expected--so much so that we came back for an un-planned second lesson the next day when we were supposed to fly out of Hawaii because we just couldn't pass up the opportunity for a second class with Al. We were visiting on a really short trip from SF (3 nights) and were staying in Ko Olina, a good 35 min drive away. The first class was just SO much fun, and we got so much actual tangible advice that we could use, Al caught us some great waves, and we got to stand up so many times. It was just such a blast, after we left the beach we both came to the same conclusion that we should quickly text Al to see if he'd be able to fit us in the following morning before our flight for a second lesson! Second lesson was just as good if not even better--Al took us further out to catch even bigger waves, gave us even more advice, and taught us to weave. He really doesn't hold anything back, and made sure we were having fun. I had told Al when I was initially booking the class that I wasn't a strong swimmer, quite weak in fact, and he was very kind and kept this in mind and pretty much towed me out so I wouldn't have to spend too much energy paddling and could save it for actual surfing. It was kinda hilarious but I was honestly exhausted--and it was just thoughtful. When it was close to the end of our lesson, Al wanted to make sure we got *the perfect wave* and so we waited and waited out on the water, even though it was past end of class, Al made sure that we could end on a high note and would not send us off until we caught the perfect wave. Anyway, given I've had experience at other professional surf schools (including the most highly rated one in Bondi in Sydney), I can tell you that Al's class is one you will definitely not regret taking. I mean, I came back immediately the next day! I'd 150% recommend coming. I feel sad writing this thinking that I'm sitting at my desk in San Francisco and can't go back :( If I lived in Honolulu, there's no doubt I'd take lessons with Al on a regular basis. Finally, for all the people who complain about not being able to reach Al, he didn't pick up on the first time I called either--Just leave a voicemail!! I mean, are you with your phone all the time? He's probably out teaching a lesson. Al got back to my voicemail really promptly within 1-2 hours. It's not a big deal at all, just LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE! read more

More affordable and higher quality lessons than the other Waikiki based surf school lesson I took. I got an advanced beginner 2-hour private lesson w/ Mark who was a fun and chill guy to hang out with. He took me to an open area and watched me catch waves and offered feedback instead of pushing me into the waves, which was better to learn from. He was generous with his time and let me use his own board after. read more

One of the best experiences of my life. Let me preface this review with the fact that anyone who knows me knows that when it comes to any physical activity involving a board typically ends in injuries for me. I am terrible at almost every sport, so I was a bit nervous to take surfing lessons knowing my track record. With that said, my husband and I just moved to Honolulu and he wanted to take surfing lessons. So I called Al and made a next day appointment for a 2 hour lesson. We were supposed to be with Al, but about an hour before, he called and told us that Kenny would be our instructor. After meeting up with Kenny near the beach, he immediately had us stretching and getting accustomed to our boards that he provided. He gave us a thorough and quick lesson, then made us practice on the board on the sand. Next thing I knew, we were paddling out. Ill admit Kenny had to drag me out a bit because paddling is tough! lol. He instructed us and told us what to do and when...wouldnt you know it...I caught and rode every single wave. I stood up on about 10-15 waves in that 2 hours. Kenny is an unbelievable teacher who made the girl that can't do any board activities into a beginner surfer. I am so stoked for our next lesson! If you are looking for surf lessons, call them. They are the (in my opinion) best teachers and have the most reasonable prices in Waikiki! read more

Took my son here to get a surf lesson from Al. He was absolutely awesome, very very experienced and knew exactly what he was doing. He was flexible with the timeframe and will give you best options that will maximize the amount of waves you can catch in a single session. My son had a wonderful time and after seeing other instructors I know I made the right decision by going with Al. Everything about our interaction was smooth and he really helped my son feel comfortable out in the water. Next time I return to honolulu I will definitely go with him again. read more

My surf instructor was Al. Don't let his beat-up practice boards or his laid back demeaner fool you into thinking that he's not a serious surf instructor or that your surf experience will be dull. Al reviewed the basics of surfing and all the safety aspects before we went into the water, and that was extremely important to me because I am a sub-par swimmer. He taught me how to use landmarks to gauge myself while in the water, to effectively paddle, to balance myself on a surfboard whether paddling or standing, and how to adjust my surf speed on a wave. My final wave best described what I learned during my two hour, private lesson with Al: I was able to paddle to a wave, stand, and lean forward to gain speed to the end of the wave albeit that Al's thrust was what actually helped me catch the wave. :) I highly recommend Al as a surf instructor for all level surfers especially if you don't have a good understanding of balancing on a board. read more

Albert and his assistant were incredible. Albert made our first time surfing so easy to understand. He started out on land teaching us some basics, then stayed with us the entire time, guiding us and then letting us work on our own when we were ready. He had all the gear we needed and we just had such a blast out there in Waikiki! read more

Al and the other instructors were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating. They began with an on-land walk-through but we were in the water super quickly. We had a group of 6, and I'm not lying when I say EVERYONE stood up and rode a wave on their FIRST TRY. Incredible. We went to a super empty area in Waikiki at like 6:30 am, so we had the ocean to ourselves. The early wake up was easily justified by the good conditions, beautiful sunrise, and the amazing time we had catching waves. Thank you!! read more

Terrific experience with Albert and Mark. They taught my wife and three daughters a 2 hr lesson and they had a great time. Link up was easy and the spot was perfect. The instructors were calm, patient experts. Everyone was up and surfing in the first 30 minutes. We'd recommend Mark and Albert to anyone; awesome value and the most exciting part of our vacation! read more

Al was awesome. My friend booked our lesson and I nervously went along for the ride! Al picked us up and we went to the beach, meeting up with a few other folks and Al's co-instructor. We got a good, thorough safety lesson, which I appreciated, and Al had rash guards and reef shoes for everyone. The ocean makes me seriously nervous, and Al picked up on that, dividing the group into the more adventuresome and super beginner...and he taught the beginners. He was so helpful, so thorough, and made the whole experience REALLY awesome! And I think the price was REALLY-REALLY reasonable, especially since my friend has taken multiple lessons around town, and says Al is the best! read more

I had tried to get surf lessons with Al, ( I called him ) and it turned out it was the Jelly Fish calendar and unable to surf the dates i wanted. In spite of him not getting our business, he was very helpful in giving suggestions of where to surf, stay in Kuai. It is wonderful to have people who try and help even though they were not getting anything out of it. Thanks again Al.. read more

My wife and I scheduled a private surf lesson with Al who was a patient and thoughtful instructor. He took us south of the main crowds early in the morning and we were able to catch plenty of waves before our session was over. We always felt like he had our safety in mind and the spot he picked was perfect for a couple of beginners. The spot he picked was far enough out to sea to be exciting but not so far out that we felt like we were in over our heads. It was a little expensive but we felt that it was worth the personalized attention. Thanks, Al! read more

I've had two lessons with Al and they have both been phenomenal! This trip, I was only in Honolulu for 48 hours, and he worked around my tight schedule to fit my lesson in! Both times I've taken lessons, he and his co-instructors have gone above and beyond to give great instruction and a great time! They are professional, friendly, and insist on safety at all times. This was the absolute highlight of both my trips and I will definitely be calling to schedule another lesson next time I come out! read more

Alysha Surf School - On a post-lesson high! - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We took 2 adults, 3 teens and 2 kids for a lesson with Albert, Mark and Kevin. We had the best time with our lesson and would highly recommend them for all ages. They were knowledgeable, patient, kind, great with the kids and made us feel like family instead of customers. read more

Got into Waiklki walked up and down the beach, got nothing but bad vibes from bored surf instructors, and of course wanted this to be a positive experience for my daughter. So I did Yelp it and called a few got a hold of Al and we clicked. "You want to surf this afternoon?" Why yes please!" First off we were lost , he talked us in, no problem and didn't minus time. Took each student analyze each run to improve each time. All the safety checks , how to read water, footing, etc. Then told me where to stand for better pictures . Lol . Afterwards discussed what kind of board to buy when we get home and if we have any problems my daughter free to call him for advice to get over the hard parts. That's a teacher! PS He also knows where all the good Hawaii food joints are. read more

Alysha Surf School - Al and Chloe - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I never thought a pair of 50 year olds could learn to surf on the first lesson, but Al had us riding waves after an hour! Our oldest teen did a successful pop up on his first go. Our second teen also stood up and rode a wave on her first try. Al began with on-land instruction on positioning, paddling and different techniques on standing. Al made safety a priority and taught us how to minimize fatigue. His instruction was easy to understand. I appreciate that he kept an eye out for the least experienced swimmer in our group (me) so I was confident going out. Ala Moana was a great location to learn in the early morning before the crowd. The waves are perfect for beginners. Don't hesitate to book with Al. We'll be back on our next vacation. read more

I gave Alysha short notice, unintentionally, and they worked to get us scheduled for our lesson the next day. After a brief stretch session and quick rundown of techniques and verbal commands we were out in the ocean and surfing in no time. All four of us, some in our 40's and some in our teens, were up and riding on our first attempts. We had a great time and I think my daughter has found a new hobby. Thanks for the great lesson and helping us get scheduled. This was one of the funnest things we did on our trip. A must do. Shaka! read more

My daughter has been bugging me to find someone who could teach her how to surf for the past two years. After researching online I decided to go with Alysha's surf school because of the great reviews. I booked lessons for my daughter and thought I'd give it a try too. Al made sure we warmed up and started off with the beach lessons which consist of how to line up you body and placement of your arms and feet. He made sure we were well informed about being safe before we headed out into the ocean. You can tell that Al loves what he does because of his enthusiasm and passion. He has a great personality and make you laugh and have a good time. My daughter went first and I couldn't believe that she caught her first wave and made it looked so effortless. It was my turn and I was getting nervous but Al gave me the step by step run down and before I knew it I was up and riding my first wave. What an awesome feeling it was to be gliding on the water! We will definitely call him up for more lessons. Al is a fantastic instructor and I highly recommend him to all looking for an awesome experience. read more

This is the absolute best surfing class I've ever taken. "Al" or Albert is an excellent instructor who is certified. This certification means a lot since there are many hazards on the water. This became extremely evident when someone with another surf school lost her 2 front teeth because the instructor had not discussed proper safety. Albert was excellent, professional, and very patient. He had me catching my own wave by the end of the day. He likes to go out at 7am which is tough if you're coming from L.A. with the time change, but totally worth it since the water is great and uncrowded. Call him up! Albert's the best! read more

I had gone surfing with a friend one time. My friend was teaching me he bad habits to surfing. So I saw that Albert had a cheap deal. He worked with my schedule. He is very organized. He talked me through everything I was about to do along with what I was doing. I didn't just feel like a number getting a surf lesson being a tourist area. He also was teaching me how to see the different waves. He also went out of his way to help me know what surf board I should buy and a great place to buy it. When friends and family come to visit I will definitely recommend his surf lesson for I know they will really learn something and have fun doing it. read more

Alysha Surf School - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

For a first surf lesson, this is the place to go! Awesome instructor (Al Mahoe) who really made me feel comfortable about getting in the water and catching a wave. It was obvious that he loves teaching and surfing and is willing to answer any questions you might have. Bear in mind that for a first lesson, he picked the waves and pushed me into them, so I didn't learn much about how to do that on my own. But surfing was still so incredible and liberating. I definitely want to do it again soon! We went around 4pm for a 2 hour lesson, and with the cold water and breezy wind, I was getting goose bumps while sitting and waiting for the waves. Best price around--$90 total for the two of us, for a private lesson! read more

A great surf lesson from instructors who know what they are doing. Along with the fun of riding waves, our teachers let us know about surf etiquette, how to pick a wave, different strategies to carry what we learned going forward. They were specific in their instructions, and that made a big difference. We rode waves, enjoyed the beautiful beach and cannot speak highly enough of this team! Thank you for making our Hawaiian vacation great! read more

Have done lessons with them before and LOVED every time! Great prices and even better experiences! Very friendly and fun staff and everyone was able to catch waves and love it! read more

Highlights: * Both Al and Perry had 40+ years surfing experience * Teaching with passion and patience: my son made his first surf for his first attempt * the biggest bang for the buck: 10 surfs per person for $39. Most of other Waikiki lessons are 3 surfs for $100. Tip: Sign up 7:30AM class for calmer and less crowded water Longer version: Based on Yelp reviews, I signed 2-hour lessons with Al for my daughter (14 yrs old), son (11 yrs old) and myself (my age is too old to share:-). Man, this is the BEST experience ever in Hawaii. I called Al a week in advance for the reservation. To my surprise, no credit card was asked and everything is in gentleman's agreement. Al reconfirmed the reservation 24 hrs ahead to the scheduled lesson. You could still reschedule or cancel the lesson without any commitment. The class started 7:30AM. There was totally 5 persons. My initial concern was whether the water was too cold for kids. It turns out the ocean water is very warm. (Not bathtub warm, but close. Now, you got the idea). Since we started earlier, there was only one group, which is us. After we finished our lessons at 9:30AM, the beach became very crowded, at least another 5 groups or tried to surf in the same area. The surfers were a little bit too close to each other. read more

We took a group surf lesson that ended being semi-private for a really amazing rate for what we learned and experienced. Probably our favorite experience in Hawaii. We were able to actually stand on the board after only a few tries with his instruction and guidance, and had plenty of time to keep practicing. Extremely nice instructor that actively participated in our learning. read more

Al was great! It was myself (Dad) and my two kids. Al spent alot of time with my 10 y/o daughter and she was surfing like a pro! We all got up on the board a time or two. Al was very safety minded and spent time with us on land as well as once we got into the water. Al met us at the hotel and we followed him to a less crowded beach so we would not have to worry about others. One of the most memorable experiences for the trip! read more

First of all, I would like to state that I am a long time yelper, first time reviewer. Met with Al today for a 2 hour lesson with my wife. Neither of us have ever surfed before, or even skateboarded/snowboarded. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing. Al was so patient, so nice, and an amazing teacher. By the middle of the lesson both of us were able to stand on the board and catch some nice waves without falling down. Al has a great attitude, is extremely safe, and has an excellent surfing philosophy/lesson plan to make almost ANYONE into a decent surfer. This was better than I could have imagined. Al was so caring and really was all about customer service. He called us multiple times to confirm, called us on the day of to direct us to his exact location, and even gave us change for the meters. We wanted to give him a tip which he graciously refused to accept, and said he loves his job and asks for the money he wants up front and that is it. If we loved it then he told us to give him a call whenever and book another lesson. Classy move. If you look at all of the negative reviews on this site they are because he did not answer his phone. Sometimes he is out of town and also people have reasons why they cannot work. Nontheless, unless you partake in the experience I think it is quite foolish to give a poor review. You really aren't rating your true experience. It is a bit ignorant. Also, it was the most inexpensive private lesson you can get in the area by at least 50%. So, if you want to meet an awesome person who is an excellent teacher, and have one of the best learning experience I have ever had, then call Al. If he doesn't pick up then try again or leave a message. He called us back within 4 hours, however sometimes he is not around or out of town. In that case, find someone else, don't write a negative review! read more

I cannot say enough good things about the great semi-private lesson that my GF and I took while vacation in Hawaii! For some perspective, neither of us had ever surfed before, so we were unsure of what to expect. After walking down to the beach from our hotel, we meet up with our two great instructors and went over the game plan (which really was pretty simple). Fast forward about 15 minutes and both my GF and myself are up and riding in no time at all!! Definitely recommend this school, and opt for the early lesson at 7am as the beach will be very quiet and you will not have to fight the crowds or deal with other people trying to steal your wave. Thanks again!! read more

I took a lesson with Alysha's dad Al. Al is a great instructor! Very methodical, very supportive and just overall teaches really well. The lesson was a very good value for money. I would definitely recommend him to any beginner. read more

This is the best surfing experience for beginners or anyone who wants to experience the waves with a relaxed, knowledgable and fun instructor! I had sworn off of surfing due to some really bad experiences in the past, but Al reassured me that it was going to be ok -- and he was right! Two lessons later, and I am HOOKED! He is a patient teacher and knows the water and the waves really well. Can't wait to come back to Waikiki and do this again. read more

Al provides a thorough foundation of surfing fundamentals to confidently stand up on your own. He goes out of his way to find the perfect wave for you to ride and provides extensive feedback on how to improve for your next run. More importantly, you get out to surf at 7am when no one is there. It truly feels like you have your own private beach! I only wished Al had someone out there to take a few pics or video to cherish the memory. Other than that, highly recommend! Superb lessons and professionalism from Al! Will def give him a ring for another lesson next time I'm in Oahu. read more

We were first timers to surfing but had a great time in a semi-private class. (Just me and my wife) They are super responsive to inquiries and class appointments but that is the usual stuff. Our instructor was fantastic! He made us feel comfortable right from the start. We were a little leary being absolute beginners. We did 15-20 minutes on the beach going over the basics then straight out to the water. The best part of the experience was you could tell the instructor was trying to share how excited he was about surfing and that made the whole thing awesome. On top of that they offer more experienced classes and have a ton of local knowledge to share about different breaks around the island, places to go, things to do, pretty much anything you can think of. If I get back to Oahu in the future I will do it again. Mahalo Al. read more

Albert was awesome. My first time out I tried surfing on my own and scored zero waves. With Albert's help, I got up on every wave I attempted during the lesson. Albert gradually builds you up with each wave adding technique tips each time. Also, highly recommend the 7 AM timeframe. The water was empty besides us. read more