I've been surfing in Oahu 3 times and Micah was the best teacher by far. I went with my brother and sister and he was able to get them both up on their first wave. Also I liked the fact he used the shorter long boards instead of the huge blue floating island boards. He was a great teacher who knew where to position us and taught us how to catch the waves on our own. We caught several more waves in the time we were out there compared to other surfers or classes that we notice. I would highly recommend him for any beginning surfers visiting Waikiki. read more

Very knowledgeable of everything surfing and paddle boarding. Would recommend to everyone because he is patience and personable. My family was all able to catch a wave. read more

Great lesson with Mickey. He showed my son and I the proper technique for standing on the surfboard and helped tow us out to the waves and into the waves to surf. He did everything he could to make sure you caught a wave. Highly recommend! We will take lessons again next time we are on Oahu. Another huge plus was the GoPro footage he gave us of our surfing. read more

Booked a lesson for my birthday and couldn't have been happier with my experience!! Micah/Mickey has got the greatest energy and puts you right at ease. He is incredibly knowledgeable and excellent at guiding and explaining, even sent videos to prep before your lesson, really makes sure he is setting you up for success. I've had a previous lesson elsewhere that I enjoyed, and this far surpassed that experience. Plus I now have video footage catching waves!! Amazing both for fun and to help improve my skills. And incredible price. Book your lesson! read more

Thank you Mickey and Sparky on behalf of my husband Mike and son Jayden for the surf lesson! My son is not a strong swimmer and they provided a safe and FUN experience for him--he left feeling more confident in the water! Mickeys surf school is a MUST when visiting Waikiki! read more

Wish Yelp had more stars for this. Mickey is a fantastic instructor. He's extremely knowledgable and thorough, even taking the time to illustrate the videos and pictures of our lesson so I had things to focus on and practice after I left. Most importantly, the entire experience was nonstop fun. I'm already trying to work another trip back to take another lesson. I'm not a water person by any means, but felt super comfortable the whole time. If you are even remotely thinking about ever trying surfing, contact Mickey right now. I promise you won't regret it. read more

Simple and precise instruction so the novice quickly understands. Mickey is also a great local guide and knows everyone on the beach. Do not hesitate to book a session or two. read more

Where to start with Micah aka Mickey... First off, this dude knows the ocean & waves to a science. When you go out with him, you learn the basics in a way that sticks. You also get the vibe that you're out there with a friend that's super passionate about surfing, NOT some random guy that's just doing his job. He's super friendly, funny & well respected in the surf crowd...when you get a lesson from Mickey (Micah), you're getting straight knowledge while having fun from an official native with that aloha spirit. Plain & simple. To give some perspective, I ain't some square that just gives out 5-star ratings just because, it's gotta be worth it. Make that reservation... read more

Not one to write a review but felt it may make someone's decision a lot easier when trying to find a legit surf instructor. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this man, he sent us some "homework" the night prior so we can make the most of our lessons; after a brief talk we hit the water, Mickey stayed with my 11 y/o daughter and had her standing up and catching her first wave on her first try. Throughout the morning, he coached us is a professional and in a clearly passionate way to make it a memorable experience for both of us. I could not have been happier with the experience. My son was too nervous to go out so after the lesson Mickey took him out so he could experience how much fun he could have...he immediately begged to rent a board. Solid dude that truly loves what he does and passes it to all his students. Mahalo Mickey! read more

We hired Mickey for my 9 year old son. My son was super nervous and can get easily frustrated but with Mickey he did amazing! My son caught the very first wave out there which totally boosted his confidence. He also isn't an amazing swimmer but I never felt he was in any danger. Mickey was great at communicating thru text before the lesson, and even took GoPro footage of the lesson up close! I highly recommend using Mickey for your child's lesson! read more

Did a 1 hour private lesson with Mickey and it was fantastic. He really focuses on helping you learn the components of surfing that will let you go out on your own, including reading the waves, timing of paddling and standing, and how best to avoid other surfers. He is incredibly friendly and patient. He even sent me some pictures/videos from his GoPro free of charge! Prices were very reasonable compared to others in the area, and he wasn't focused on finishing by a certain time but rather on making sure you got the full experience. I'd recommend going earlier in the morning to maximize the experience as Mickey takes you surfing in the heart of Waikiki, which can get crowded at times. Would 100% recommend Mickey for all those looking to learn to surf on Oahu. read more

I am somewhat leery of businesses that have all 5* ratings, but Micah really deserves it. I took a surf lesson with him last week and learned more in an hour than I have with a series of other lessons over the years. Not only did I have a blast, but I am now aware of some crucial errors I was making, so I can work on correcting those. I don't buy lessons to have someone kiss my ass - I do it to actually learn. Plus he's super sweet and sooooo with the spirit of aloha. A, ala, watchful, alertness L, lokahi, working with unity O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty H, ha'aha'a, humility A, ahonui, patient perseverance Mahalo, Micah! read more

Me and my 8 Year old son had a wonderful time with Mickey. He was really friendly and made us feel super comfortable. We both stood up on the first time and finished the lesson by surfing tandem. Text him to get a reservation. Prices are reasonable as well. Tips: wear a rash guard and bring reef shoes. read more

Booked a surf lesson with Mickey and it was a great time. With his knowledge, any beginner can get up on a board with him.

Took my BF's son to Micah/Mickey for private surfing lesson Saturday. Mickey had him tag along another day (Wednesday) when he had a group lesson just to give our kid more time & experience in the water. Mickey is the best in Waikiki! Very nice and super knowledgable! He offered to help us with purchasing a board if we ever needed to & invited us to hang out with him if we see him in his "office". Will definitely recommend Mickey to all our friends & family who's coming to Waikiki. And we will definitely come back for more lessons or just to hang read more

Mickey is the Surfing Sensei! My wife and I wanted to escape from the Waikiki beach and explore other parts of the island in search of some good waves and learning a little more about Oahu. Setting up a day with Mickey was just the right call. He met us bright and early at our hotel, with all the gear needed for the day, including boards, rash guards, a nice beach chair in his Subaru SUV for the excursion. We went up to the North shore, stopped at a local coffee house for a quick coffee and some delicious pastry. We toured around the area taking in the great beaches, looking for the right waves for our capabilities, and enjoying his take on Oahu and the growth and changes he has seen having been there his whole life. This included stopping at a local fruit stand for snacks. We ended up at the Diamond Head "Cliff" break for an early afternoon surf session and lessons. We rode some great waves and enjoyed some fun times! We will definitely connect with him the next time we are in Oahu. Reach out to him for a lesson or a day long surf adventure, you will not be disappointed! read more

Recently returned from a short stay in Honolulu. We packed a lot into three days, but we couldn't leave without doing a little surfing. Micah, was not only an excellent and patient instructor, he was a such an amazingly genuine person. It's very clear he enjoys what he does and he will do what it takes to make sure everyone is comfortable and enjoying their time on the water. It's always great to have an instructor who seems to be enjoying your experiences as much as you are. My wife and I were both able to get up on our first attempt, so that probably helped boost our appreciation for Micah's training as we did exactly what he told us to do. I may not have looked as smooth as my wife who was dubbed the "surf ninja", but we both were able to ride plenty of waves in throughout the lesson. It was definitely worthwhile and very memorable. After the lesson, Micah really went out of his way to spend some time with us after he was done instructing for the day and gave us so many great insider tips about where to go on the island. I would highly recommend this surfing lesson, I'm sure there are many other capable instructors, but you won't find anyone more accommodating. Oh and a bonus where applicable, he is fluent in Japanese! Thanks Micah! Hope to see you again someday. read more

Mickey is awesome person and knowledgeable coach. He helped us with everything from choosing best sunblock for water sports to taking perfect pictures. But above all Mickey gave our 8 year old son the skill and confidence to stand up on his own and enjoy surfing. read more

Mickeys Surf School - Wooohooo!!!!!! - Paddleboarding Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Mickey, you're no doubt the BEST at what you do! Not only as a teacher but as a person too. I couldn't be more stoked that we got to learn and hang with you. My girlfriend and I were in Kailua for about a week (end of May) and decided last minute to try and sneak in a surf lesson. Being that it was at the end of our stay, we were looking at getting out the next morning, so, our hopes weren't super high. After reading amazing review after amazing review on Mickey's Surf School we decided we had to see what the hype was all about. We sent Mickey a message asap. Not only did he get back to us right away, but he was able to take us out the following morning like we were hoping! We have both surfed before but we are definitely still in the beginner stages. It had also been awhile since we had been on a surfboard, so the nerves were starting to set in a bit. To help us get prepped for the next day Mickey sent us a couple instructional videos he had made. They showed two different styles of popping up on the board. The videos definitely helped in multiple ways. Not only did they help calm the nerves but they gave us the correct technique to practice. The next day we met Mickey down by The Duke statue before we headed over to the surf shop to grab a board. While at the shop we went through what we had learned on the videos and he gave us some extra pointers based on how we popped up. BTW, I 100% recommend you go with the size board Mickey thinks would be best for you. I promise you'll have a lot more fun if you do. We all want to ride a shorter board but Hawaii is a different animal and you don't want to gas yourself out before you even get to the break.. The lesson itself was amazing. We learned more during our time in the water with Mickey than I could have ever expected. From reading the waves coming in, to positioning yourself correctly, and seeing the best route to paddle back out.. Mickey is super positive, encouraging, and patient. He tells you exactly what you need to know to get better. He truly wants you to get better while having the most fun possible, and it shows with his style. I'm also pretty sure Mickey knows every person in the water whenever he's out there! Haha. He's always hollering and talking to people, which for some reason helps you feel more at ease and makes the vibe even better. Overall, it was an epic experience and I couldn't recommend him more. He is the epitome of the Aloha Spirit. Not only did he take us out for coffee after our lesson but Mickey even sent me a "How to" video he made on how to strengthen your swimming outside of the water. Just one more aspect that you definitely wouldn't get anywhere else. We are looking forward to coming back to Oahu in the beginning of August and taking another lesson with Mickey. Hopefully the work pays off! Mahalo! Nick & Ivy read more

I couldn't have asked for a better surf instructor than Micha. He's a local who when you talk to other local surfers say he's an amazing surfer. He's super friendly, very informative and also speaks fluent Japanese. He will teach you everything you need to know to get started and knows the exact spot to catch the best waves. Even when you head out by yourself and he happens to be out in the water too he will shout out a few tips to help you. Not only is he a great instructor but a great guy. He went out of his way give me one of his rash guards and leant me a roller to help my recovery from 3 straight days if surfing. I'm headed back to Waikiki again and I will be calling him for more lessons. If you are looking for a great instructor for you or your kid. You just found him. read more

After a couple surf lessons with different instructors on earlier visits, a local surf shop recommended Mickey's surf school to me. I am a beginner surfer but was looking for someone who would teach me the basics of reading waves, and understanding what really goes into catching one, instead of just pushing me onto the wave at the right time. Mickey was amazing at this! If you let him know you're looking for more in-depth knowledge, he will share it with you with visuals drawn in the sand, easy-to-grasp metaphors, and allowing for your trial and error so you start to get the concepts better. For example, when you inevitably DON'T catch the wave you were swimming for, or wipe out, he'll help you understand why, and you can use the new info for your next try! He's an amazing teacher, who pays close attention to each student's needs and what they want to learn. Mickey knew a bunch of the surfers out on the water and chatted with the newcomers too, in English and Japanese, treating everybody like family (and on the beach, and in the surf shop). He is living aloha, so don't think you're just getting a surf lesson, you're likely to get a new friend/mentor as well. He really cares about the journey of each of his students, even if you just take one lesson. I took one lesson a year and a half ago with him, then brought my brother and dad so we could all have a lesson with him yesterday - and Mickey remembered me and most of the stuff we talked about, plus the type of waves we surfed! read more

My 11-year-old and 9-year-old wanted to try surfing, and I feel very lucky to have found Mickey. Mickey is a very positive fun guy, definitely experienced teaching kids and adults. I felt my boys were safe and having a great time surfing with Mickey, and Mickey took amazing high quality videos of boys catching the waves. read more

Hands down awesome experience and would definitely do it again! Mickey was super helpful when it came to the lessons and even provided videos of us for free. Being that we haven't surfed before, he was super patient, which was awesome! read more

What an amazing experience! Micah was so patient and knowledgable and he made our day so special. We would highly recommend him to anyone. Mahalo read more

My boys had their lesson with Mickey today, and they had a blast! Even my 12 y/o, who didn't want to take lessons in the first place, had a big smile on his face and said he had so much fun. Mickey was good with the kids, and also gave us awesome pictures and videos. Would 100% recommend, my boys were up on their boards multiple times during the lesson! Thank you so much, Mickey! read more

My sister and I decided that we wanted to learn to surf while visiting Hawaii last week. We shopped around Waikiki the first few days, and by luck found Micah. Micah was a very straightforward and genuine person. He stressed that if we listened to him close that we would be safe and get the most out of the lesson. He was right. Couldn't have been happier with the experience! Micah gave my sister and I the confidence required and we were up and riding on our first waves. He not only taught us to surf, but the etiquette and patience that go along with it. We got way more of an experience than we paid for. When we got done, we were surprised with professional grade photos of our time out on the waves. I don't think there is a better value on Waikiki and I recommend him to anyone who wants the best experience. Micah also invited us to follow him on social media for surfing tips and exercises to improve. He stayed and talked to us for 20 min after the lesson. Great guy. Will be hitting Micah up for subsequent lessons whenever I get the chance to return to Hawaii. read more

This is a review for Mickey. Really nice guy and caring instructor. He works almost every day and wants you to have a great experience. The photographers and other staff are ok, but people come here for Mickey and his laid back friendly instruction. Our two girls 7 and 5 had fun. They were still a bit young to ride by themselves but did ride tandem with Mickey. Would recommend him to anyone that wants to learn basics of surfing and being comfortable in the ocean. Mahalo read more

Micah is AMAZING! He's so passionate about his teaching skills! He doesn't just spend 5 minutes telling you what to do & send you out in the water with a random board! He teaches you proper technique from safety to actually catching waves! He has you perform the technique on the board before you actually go surf. He personally makes sure the board size is appropriate for the each person learning-not just one size for all. My 13 yr old & 11 yr love him & they learned so much! He made them feel confident! I also took a lesson with Micah & my boys & I all learned so much! I feel safe w/him & so do my boys Micah is also very personable! He is so friendly & I would be able to email him from the mainland with any questions. We would not choose any other random instructors & are fortunate we found Micah! We highly recommend him for all ages! You will be 110% happy! read more

Mickey's Surf School was great. Mickey, Sparky & Coolbo (sic) were all wonderful. They were all very patient & kind. Mickey is a character who really makes you feel like you are part of his ohana. He even took my 10 year old son out on a tandem surf after our lesson. He truly embodies the hospitality of the islands. All 3 in our party had a great time, I only wish we had taken the lessons earlier in our trip so that we could've had more time to surf. Do yourself a favor and come to Mickey rather than the other larger surf companies on Waikiki, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Mahalo Mickey & friends! read more

Amazing teacher, great tips and genuine personality who can really get you to love and appreciate surfing!

there is a reason every review on here is 5 stars. its because Mickey is that good. I'm 35 and I never imagined I would be able to surf. in just 3 classes I am now able to catch waves and ride them to shore. other schools don't care about their students. Mickey cares about your progress and he is super technical so you improve. he teaches you proper form, surfing etiquette, how to spot waves, and how to avoid trouble on the water. I am now hooked onto surfing and can't wait to come back to train with him again. don't bother with other schools. train with Mickey. you honestly won't regret it. he is one of those few in the world who actually cares and wants to see you improve. check out his website and shoot him a message. he spends most of the day on the water but he usually will get back to you by evening time. he is also super friendly and collegial you will love getting to know him and honestly he's a friend now. I can't wait to get back to waikiki so I can train with him again. read more

First time surfing and decided to book a lesson with Micah due to all of his great Yelp reviews. These reviews did not lie. He was a great teacher and helped me every step of the way. His teaching style is unique. He stays next to you even while you are riding the wave and coaches you at the same time. If any one is looking for a teacher I highly recommend Micah. read more

This was the best surf lesson I have ever had! Micah stayed next to me and helped me balance and stand on the board the first three times and then I made it on my own the next two times. It was so fun and he is so positive that I plan to return to Waikiki and bring my 11 year old daughter for a lesson. Thank you Micah!! read more

I can't recommend Mickey highly enough - he's awesome. My 8 year old son has done 1 on 1 lessons with Mickey at Waikiki twice and had a blast both times. Mickey took super good care of him out on the water. Mickey is great with kids and took lots of videos of my son surfing. If you're looking for a surfing instructor for your kids, Mickey's your guy. read more

Absolutely the best with kids. We came when the hurricane was hitting and the waves were looking hard to tame for my novice 8 year old. Mickey was able to get him up and going nevertheless! My new go to guy for our annual trip!!! read more

AMAZING that's all I can say if your still reading reviews your missing the time of your life!!! I got up my first time and every after until my arms could not move anymore. He is a great teacher and amazing person will help you with whatever you need. He remembers you if you run into him in town and will always answer questions you might have. I am not one to write reviews but I could not resist leaving him one after the service he offered me. Thanks so much Mickey hope to get back soon so I can surf with you some more! Mahalo read more

My two children (age 14 and 11) did their very first surf lesson with Mickey. They were both a little nervous at first but Mickey soon made them feel at ease. Both of them LOVED the experience and reported that Mickey was quite funny and a great teacher. I sat under his umbrella while they went out in the ocean and saw some other instructors doing lessons on the beach and felt that they were not as personable as Mickey. We probably would have done another lesson with Mickey had we more time in Waikiki. Next time! Him filming with his gopro and giving us the footages right after the lesson was an added bonus. read more

What a great teacher! My girlfriend and I called in last minute and were able to set up a first-time surf lesson for later the same afternoon. First Micah helped us get our bodies positioned properly on the board, and we practiced standing up on land before we got in the water. He taught us so well on land that we both successfully stood up on our first waves! He gave excellent feedback and really paid attention the entire time. We got a ton of practice in. He's also great at getting random people out of the way in the water and helping you feel comfortable among the other surfers. Can't ask for a better experience. If we weren't leaving, I would definitely go back tomorrow. read more

Thank you Mickey for an amazing surfing lesson. We, my husband, our 8 year old daughter and my self, took a surfing class with Mickey. This was the first thing we did when we got to Hawaii and it was the family favorite out everything we did. I hadn't surfed in 30 years, my husband and daughter have never been surfing, all of us got up and caught several waves. Mickey and our daughter did tandem surfing & they had a great time. Words can't say how pleased we were with the experience. The memories will last for ever with all of us, he even had a photographer that was there and was able to get some great video and pictures of us surfing. Thank you again Mickey for everything. read more

We just finished lessons with Mickey today and it was one of the best experiences. He was very supportive, friendly, fun, and educational. He taught us so much and provided a once in a life time experience. It was great having his one on one support and his local perspectives. Also, he provides awesome videos and pictures with his lessons. I definitely recommend taking lessons with him, we are so grateful for the experience he provided! read more

Mickeys Surf School - Paddleboarding Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii