I was waffling between 2 and 3 stars; I would give 2.5 if I could. First-timers and beginner surfers should definitely research the current surf conditions before paying in advance to book a lesson. When you book on-line, it says you can get a refund if the lesson needs to be cancelled due to weather or unforeseen issues. I understand now that, to cancel for full refund, it would need to be EXTREME weather (read: hurricane...tsunami...) or all staff fail to show up for work and there is no one to take you out. I am a first-timer and I have no idea what to look for when assessing surf conditions, nor did it occur to me that it would be necessary to check conditions, so I guess that is on me. Learn from my mistake!!
The group that came back right before my private lesson said the conditions were horrible and the instructor pretty much begged me to reschedule the lesson when conditions improved. I would have rescheduled but we were leaving Oahu the next morning to go home. Given that it was impossible for me to reschedule, I asked to cancel for a refund but they said that was not possible. The staff were all super nice and apologetic about not being able to give me a refund -- they tried making a phone call and I def got the impression that someone higher up on the food chain said no. They did offer to let me buy $179 (price of private lesson) worth of stuff from their shop instead of going through with the lesson, but I didn't need nor want any more sunglasses and I was bored by the Big Wave Dave merch.
I felt really bad for the instructor -- he was exhausted from the previous group lesson (which was surely a shit-show due to the wind, currents and rough surf); he was forced by higher-ups to take me out (note: i didn't have any other viable options; I was reluctant to just flush $200 down the toilet!!)
Conditions were rough and I was exhausted, paddling non-stop. I also got thrashed around quite a bit in the rough surf but that is probably normal (?). I have a massive bruise on my arm but don't really remember getting hit by the board, probably bc toward the end I was too busy scrambling out of the surf to catch a breath before getting thrashed again, lol. BUT, I also should have been more self-aware about my lack of upper-body fitness and, to be fair, the instructor did warn me that it was going to suck. After about 45 minutes, I gave up and we came in (lessons are 1.5 hours). I do understand that they can't just cancel and give refunds if conditions are rough -- I used to work in the scuba diving industry and it's a common policy to accept the ocean's capricious conditions and dive regardless: for every seven amazing dives, three are usually a nightmare, and you just have to accept that.
I guess the only thing I would have changed was the amount of tips and instructions given out in the water -- since it was a private lesson, I would have liked more tailored instruction and i wish I could have learned more about how to spot a rideable wave and about surf etiquette bc I have zero experience and am clueless. But, again, I'm sure if conditions were different there would have been more calm downtime to bob in the water and get more tips. The poor instructor just had to wait for days for me to reach him as I paddled fruitlessly against the current after each attempt to ride a wave. I could tell he was trying hard to find me decent waves and get me riding.
Highlights: I did get a sweet arm workout and saw loads of turtles! The instructor and staff were nice and friendly; they were apologetic about the situation and, to be fair, the instructor was honest and candid in warning me that it would suck and that I should reschedule.
I shall end the World's Longest Rambling Disjointed review with this conclusion: if you are a super-beginner, you don't have flexibility in your schedule, and you do not have the yoked-out upper body of a Cross Fit queen, RESEARCH THE SURF CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU BOOK AND PAY. Unless there is a hurricane, you probably won't get a refund. read more