This place is not well advertised, so we are very glad the blue guidebook pointed us in their direction. First off, they charge the least of anyone we could find on the island: $40 per person for a 90 minute session. This is usually 15 minutes of beach instruction and another 75 minutes in the water. They then let you use the boards on your own to keep practicing. Our main instructor, Nephi, was a great guy who seemed to genuinely want us to be able to surf. They are not tied to one particular place on the island, but instead go wherever the weather and surf will be perfect for learning. That means that they could be in Poi'pu one week, Waimea the next, and Princeville after that. You just have to call to find out if they are booked and where they will be. Have cash or a check ready, no plastic for these beach bums. They provide everything else you need, except your swimsuit... They have the boards and surf shirts to help prevent skin rash and keep you warm. On that note, it is suggested that women wear board shorts to keep their upper thighs from getting rashed when moving or pushing up on the board. We both managed to stand up and surf multiple times during our first ever attempt at surfing! We highly recommend this group. read more

Learn To Surf - Surfing Near Me

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My husband left the other review years ago, but we still can surf because of the lesson we took years ago! The training method really works from Learn to Surf! Thank you again for such a great experience! read more

Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, Cliff is the man!!! Very laid back, patient and encouraging... He's such a cool guy that after the surf lesson with my wife and I, we hung out like old friends throughout the rest of our stay! Don't let the awesome price fool you... it's just a reflection of how humble he is and that he loves what he does! Definitely worth double the price. Can't wait to go back! See you soon my friend... read more

Learn To Surf - Fun times with Cliff! - Surfing Near Me

First time trying to surf. We followed the tips on the ultimate guide and booked class for two. These guys charge little ($45) and I suspect they can do it because they only take cash. The class includes 90 minutes of instruction in a group of 3 or 4 plus 30 minutes of extra board usage. BF was up and running by try number 3 and so was pretty much everyone else in the group. But I sucked, so the instructor held my board for 2 straight hours and really tried to get me to stand. As I just said, I sucked so I only got up about half the times. Even with my inability to make it on the board, did not make the experience any less fun, and I really appreciated that the instructor didn't give up on me. The other guys helped out too, giving me useful advice, but I guess I am not a natural... Maybe with looooots of practice.... Anyway, my point is: they are awesome! For natural talents and for less talented alike! read more

My twins took two lessons - Cliff was patient and did such a great job teaching them. They had a great time! Highly recommend.

I like to think of myself as an expert sampler of lots of beginners instructors, (since I practice surfing so infrequently, I always go and drop money for a "beginners" lesson.) And Cliff and the Learn to Surf school are by far the best value, quality of instruction, and optimize for the most important thing on surfing.... getting you up on the board. Like any good kindergarten teacher, Cliff breaks surfing down to the simple fundamentals and gives you two things to think about -- beginning position, and tells you when to get up. As you get those basics he'll advance you to next levels of timing, momentum, etc. If you're staying in Poipu, the resorts will tell you you can surf right there. But why would you? There's rocky bottoms that will hurt you bad as you're trying to learn! Get in the car, get off the resort and go see so many other beautiful parts of Kauai and spend some of the best 2 hrs surfing with a true teacher. We learned about Learn to Surf via Kuai Revealed, you've learned from him here, so give him a call. read more

Cliff is the man. Period. Such a cool guy and amazing instructor. Any booking with a surf instructor should go like this, "I'll text you tomorrow afternoon and let you know where the waves are and where we are going to meet..." All of us where up and riding in no time and having a total blast. If you want to learn to surf and have a real experience with someone who loves what they do, hang with Cliff for a couple of hours. read more

Nefi, and his employee Cliff, are really great guys. They are good teachers and their service is reasonably priced. Nefi is an excellent instructor, but you need to make sure you specify that he will actually be teaching you himself. Some of his assistants are not good at all. Cliff, another instructor who works for Nefi, is also good... but Nefi is the best. What's great about learning to surf with these guys is that you once you learn to catch waves, you can join them wherever they are teaching and rent a board for $10. An easy way to get some practice in without having to worry about scouting a location or renting/lugging a board. read more

Fun day for the family! The 12 year old was happy and surfing easily and so was grandma by the end of the lesson! We loved it.

Cliff was awesome. Great method for teaching beginners which resulted in my surfing success!

Neefi is the best teacher. I was standing and surfing in 15 minutes. Neefi is very patient and teaches the basics.I look forward to going back for another lesson with him. I am 54 and he helped me cross this of my bucket list. Thank you Neefi for showing patients with me. read more

Great instructors and great value! Instructors were patient and got all but one of us surfing on our own before lesson was over. Highly recommend!! read more

I was never on a board before and with Nephi's instruction I caught my first wave on my first try! (not the second wave because I got too cocky. lol) More important was the real first thing we went over was safety. He also selected the particular beach that day for the lay of the land in terms of safety. There were a total of 4 of us that day and we were all doing really well and he challenged us as he saw fit. Very encouraging, good energy, easy going. Great value for the money. Surfs up! read more

After watching crowded classes on the beach near The Sheraton in Koloa I was so glad I was able to book a lesson with Learn To Surf. I went out with Cliff (and 2 other students) for a 2 hr lesson and paid $55. Wailua Beach was wayyyy less crowded and less rocky and only about 20 mins further drive from Koloa. Cliff was very good at letting us know what we did wrong or right after each wave and I actually felt like I got a hang of it. Only regret is not booking him two days in a row so I could practice more. Mahalo! read more

Me and two friends came on vacation to kauai looking for fun outdoor activities. We met a surf instructor at the beach who wanted to charge us 80 a person and we got the feeling he was trying to rip us off cuz we were girls. So we looked in the ultimate kauai guidebook and found Learn to Surf. Their rate was half the price and the instructor was super professional. The instructor actually cared if we got up on the board and had a good experience. We all caught a lot of waves and learned how to stand up stay standing and control the direction of the board. My friend who had taken surfing lessons before from a hotel said this was 100 times better because the hotel instructor didn't care and stopped paying attention to them. With Learn to Surf we actually got to stay out extra and practice with the boards. It was exactly what we were looking for - professional, quality and good price. read more

Met Nefi and his crew on the beach; GREAT GROUP. Organized, instructive and entertaining all in a relaxed atmosphere. They spend time with those who need it and send others who are stronger out to the deeper surf.... Highly recommend for all ages! read more

My niece and her friend were so happy to surf at the beautiful beach on Kauai that Nephi met us at. He was a great instructor, focusing on safety and fun. He helped the girls get out into the ocean with a calm confidence and they were able to stand up on several waves. There was others in the class and Nephi was attentive to all. I was even able to capture some fun photos. read more

Learn To Surf - ALL LOVE! Can you see the heart. - Surfing Near Me

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Cliff is fantastic! He is absolutely worthy of all the praise expressed in all the other reviews; it is clear he loves what he does, and how could he not? His "work" makes people happy. I smiled throughout the entire 2 hour lesson. Cash only = great price. You spend about 15 minutes going over safety and technique, then you are in the water surfing. If we were on the island longer, my boyfriend and I would return for more lessons. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

We loved Cliff. He was so patient, informative, calm. We didn't feel rushed. He gave great feedback to correct our position after every try. For a couple of midwesterners this was the best way to learn to surf. read more

Very friendly people for some surfing fun. They also have best prices that I found on Princeville side. The "tourist info centers" and concierge had companies charging much higher prices. They had both my daughters up on their first tries and even did a tandem board ride together for some great photos. read more

Cliff was great. I had been surfing for about a year and took the time to teach me a lot of new things. He was patient and a clear teacher. I'm excited to get back out there and practice what I learned. Thanks Cliff read more

We had cliff as our instructor and he was great. Everybody stood up on their first try. It helped that he had us on the beach first. Plus he was really good with getting photo points like he had my brother and I get on the same surf board. The surf boards were a little beat up so we all had surf burns. So I recommend a light long sleeve or they provide a shirt for you and long board shorts if possible. Definitely made our stay in Kauai better. read more

Cliff is awesome! The lesson was probably the highlight of our trip. They were half the price of anyone else on the Island and we were standing and surfing in no time. I just couldn't wipe the big stupid grin off of my face. read more

CLIFF IS A PHENOMENAL INSTRUCTOR! Fantastic Experience! GOOD FOR ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE: There were three of us taking lessons, and Cliff was able to cater his lesson to each person. This was my first time surfing, and even though I was a little nervous to try this, Cliff gave a lot of guidance and made it a very enjoyable experience. The other two people had taken one or two lessons before and Cliff was able to give them more advanced tips. LOTS OF TIME OUT ON THE WATER: Unlike some other surfing lessons where the instructor spends 20 minutes or more on land going over techniques, we were able to get more time in the water and getting hands on experience and learning techniques in vivo, which was fantastic! Even though each student was at a different level of skill and expertise, there was no waiting around to get your "turn" to catch a wave since Cliff strategically had the more advanced students catching larger waves with me closer to shore. GREAT PRICE: Every other place we looked at cost double or triple the price. This is truly unbeatable in price and with a phenomenal instructor. Overall this was a highlight of my trip :D read more

very simple and easy learning experience, i had surfed several times w friends w/o being able to stand up, also it was exhausting having to paddle back out each time. after a few mins of simple instructions on the beach we walked out to the surf break which was close to shore. like everyone else i was up in 3 tries. then later caught my own waves. after i was pooped out, they let my wife and dog borrow a SUP and they used it while they packed up. Wesley was my instructor, def best if you have a pvt or semi pvt lesson so the instructor can stay w you. Nephi gave me precise directions to find the beach, Cost was $45 but i gave them $60 Dog friendly also read more

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Cliff is the best. He spends about 15 minutes going over safety and the basics on land. Then he gets you out in the water and has you up in riding in no time. He's sweet, patient, and really great at pointing out the specifics when offering suggestions for improvement. We couldn't have asked for a better experience - and we had an absolute blast! Will definitely be an in forgettable experience from our trip! You da man, cliff! read more

Learn To Surf - Best. day. Ever. - Surfing Near Me

My daughter and I took a group lesson with Cliff. In no time Cliff had us all up and surfing. Cliff was laid back and made it a really fun experience. We will be back next time we are on Kauai. read more

First time to Kauai and first time surfing. We highly recommend Learn to Surf with the instructor Nefi. We made a reservation and the afternoon before our reservation he called us to confirm where we would meet. For $45 per person this was an excellent value and well worth our time and our $. They provide everything... you just show up with your swimsuit and cash or check. When we met him at the confirmed beach he went through the instruction. It was just the right amount of time for helpful instruction but did not over explain everything. We were out on the water in about 15 minutes. He was very helpful, encouraging, friendly, and had an easy going personality. If you wanted more of a challenge he encouraged it, giving good tips and telling you how to improve. We highly recommend Learn to Surf if you're looking for your first lesson. You will enjoy the company and feel like you definitely got your money's worth. read more

My wife and I enoyed the beautiful island of Kauai for vacation before she starts grad school. She really wanted to take a surfing lesson and I was reluctant, but am glad we did. I had so much fun! I found LEARN TO SURF in a book about Kauai. There's no website, just a phone number. Don't let the lack of info deter you. If you're looking for a surfing lesson, this is the service to use. Ephi was our instructor and he was great; so patient. I had never surfed before, but his instruction made it so easy. He was so nice and approachable. All the equipment is included. Just bring a good attitude. After I called the phone number and left a message, I got a call back and then a text telling me where the location of the lesson would be. They know all the beaches and the best time conditions are perfect. A day before the lesson, you'll get a text w/ the location. This was the best part of our vacation. You won't be disappointed w/ LEARN TO SURF!! read more

My wife and I surfed with Cliff from Learn to Surf. The experience was fantastic. I've taken many a lessons for various things over the years and have to say that Cliff is one of the best instructors I've ever had for anything. He is patient, encouraging, and never seems to get bored. My wife caught on very quickly but I had some difficulty. By the end, I was catching waves and Cliff was happier than I was, which is pretty tough to top. Highly recommended and at $45 per person, this is probably one of the best deals on the island. read more

My two boys 8 and 10 had lessons with Cliff when we were in Kauai in march. Cliff was great! My boys were able to stand up on the boards in no time! anyone who wants to learn how to surf, take a lesson with Cliff! My boys had so much fun. read more

My boyfriend and I took 2 surfing lessons from Cliff and we couldn't have been happier. He is a very laid back guy and explains things so they are easy to understand. He was in the water focusing on us the whole time. The fact that he is 6'6" I think helps him so as I was trying to battle the waves he just stands tall and was able to give me that push to help catch the wave. I took a lesson 10 years ago but never really got up and kind of wrote off my chance of ever surfing but Cliff got me up on the second wave and I LOVED it!!! He gave great feedback on what we were doing wrong and then helped me catch another wave. We loved our lesson so much that we took a second one the next day right before our flight home. I just wished we would have taken the lessons sooner in the week and I would have done it every day. I also think that Learn to Surf is the cheapest place for lessons and I believe they do a max of 3 people. read more

I am a huge wuss and not that athletic, but to my surprise, this surf lesson was the most fun thing we did on our honeymoon! Nefi was a great surf instructor. He made me feel like a bad*!# surfer girl and I got up many times with his simple instruction. They take you to a beach that has the right wave conditions if you are a beginner and so you are totally safe and comfortable! Great price for the fun! read more

Cliff is an amazing instructor. He cared about our wishes, needs and expectations and tailored the class for us. Highly recommended! We did 3 lessons and improved our surfing skills. read more

Cliff is a gifted, kind teacher. He was positive, constructive, and effective in getting us trained in the fundamentals so we could succeed. We heard others who took surf lessons talk about just having someone pushing them into the waves coming to shore to help them get going. We had so much more coaching, training and help than that. I would recommend Cliff and Nefi to dear friends as guys very good at their mission. Clear emphasis on safety and fundamentals. Our experience was the best. Very glad to heartily recommend them!!! read more

By far our favorite thing that we did on this 2 weeks trip to Kauai! This was our 3rd time in Kauai and we had never tried surfing. Our kids (ages 6-13) wanted to take lessons so we did and it was phenominal! We got the phone # for Learn to Surf from the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book. And I'm assuming that from the reviews people have posted of other places and from our experience, that Learn to Surf was the best! There were plenty of instructors and they all cared! They never lost interest and would high five and cheer the kids on! Of course, the hardest work was the adults and they were awesome with us as well! They met us at a beach closer to us and then gave us recommendations of where to surf and rent boards to surf on our own the next day. We lost our water camera while surfing and Nephi called the next day to say he had searched his truck where the surf boards were loaded and wanted to know if we had found it. He also asked how our son was (he got hit in the head by a surf board). Don't let that scare you because the entire time they preached safety and how to hold your board while in the water, but they can't control another kid who let his board go! To wrap it up, Learn to Surf was $35+ cheaper and provided an excellent environment for learning, safety, and fun! You won't go wrong with Learn to Surf!!! The Perez 5 read more

First the basics, we were here on Kauai begining of May 2014. They charge the least of anyone $45 per person for a 90-120 minute session. They have a 15 minutes of beach instruction that centers around Safety and even if you are not a beginner you want to make sure others understand how to be safe. They provide everything, boards and rash guards, but i'd also recommend wearing longer board shorts to protect against board rash. then let you use the boards on your own to keep practicing. Payment is by cash or check. Our main instructor, Nephi, was awesome. I was out with the family and I have been surfing but my kids had not, so I was not sure of spending the money on a lesson..But it was so worth it!.. Their instruction was great, they let me do my thing with enough instruction to really help me learn to turn into the waves and really surf. More attention was given to the kids..These guys were great with kids..Our 6 yr old was not going to do it, no way..the next thing I know, I am on a paddle out..hear my daughter and there she is on a tandom ride with Nifi standing up with a smile ear to ear..All the guys in the group seemed to be as excited as you are when you catch one..Once out in the water they all work sesamlessly together ensuring the little ones are safe, having fun, and more skilled people are given tips and tricks to help accelerate their learning. It did not take long for everyone to be up and surfing..Can't say enough about how great these guys were.. They go wherever the weather and surf is best for learning. You just have to call to find out if they having openings and where they will be. (I highly recommend these guys) read more