Our family had such an amazing experience! We booked a family surf lesson with our three kids (ages 4, 7, and 9), and they paired us with four instructors. I honestly can't say enough good things about the entire team. My two youngest stayed on their instructors' boards the entire lesson, which was perfect for their ages. Their instructors were incredibly patient, kind, encouraging, and so amazing with young children. My oldest had his own instructor who really took the time to teach him and build his confidence. My husband and I were with Sparky, who was absolutely fantastic. By the end of the lesson, every single one of us had stood up and ridden a wave more than once! The instructors made everyone feel safe, supported, and successful, no matter their age or experience. It also gave us peace of mind knowing everyone is lifeguard certified. We had so much fun that before we even got back to the car, my kids were already asking to book another lesson before we leave! If you're thinking about surfing, especially as a family with young kids, I can't recommend Sparky and his team enough. read more

I (9 year old) took an amazing surf lesson! Sparky is the perfect guy for me, he was so patient! And he was always lifting my spirit with amazing positivity whenever I wiped out on a wave. I loved him so much I took another surf lesson the next day! Since I am a kid it is not too easy but with Sparky on my side the word hard never came my way! Surfing with Sparky is amazing and if you are looking for a successful surf lesson you should definitely go to Sparky's! Love Olivia to Sparky!!!!! read more

Wow, Sparky is such an amazing instructor for the kids. He knows how to ensure the kids have fun and learn as they're having fun. Sparky taught my 6yo son (he had his own board - such a brave big boy!), and brought a female instructor for my 4yo daughter who happened to be a world champion surfer - what a pleasant surprise. She was so attentive to my daughter and surfed tandem with her. My kids want to go pro now! They love surfing and can't wait to surf with Sparky and Sophia again soon! read more

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Okay, Sparky hits different. Let me explain: - He's been doing this for 20 years so he knows surfing inside out and is great at teaching it. Of course you can expect that from many surf schools around here, but his crew is definitely up there. - Sparky called when the surf was bad and suggested rescheduling. I wasn't in town for much longer and he considered a refund, but we ended up finding a new time that worked. Other places would have just taken the money and given a sub-par experience with lousy waves, but here it's all about providing a really good time and I appreciate that. - The pictures. That's really the big thing. We're not talking about a GoPro slapped on the board and just recording a boring video. The pictures are taken with a proper underwater camera with a long lens so that there's a narrow focus on foreground and the surfer actually filling out the image. The photos are carefully framed so that they're interesting - some with Diamond Head in the background, some with The Royal Hawaiian. Different poses - paddling, waiting, and of course riding waves. The pictures are properly graded in post-processing and reframed, so it takes a week. It's worth it. On that note, Sparky also suggested the best time for pictures to get optimal lighting when I booked. - Native islanders! Proud inhabitants of Hawai'i for generations. Those are the people who should get your business. Yeah, seriously. Go to Sparky's. There's nothing like it. It's a great experience start to finish, and the pictures are SO worth it. read more

Sparky's Surf School - One of the photos - Diamond Head in the background, gorgeous rim lighting, and perfectly framed. - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

There is a reason this is rated 5 stars so often. Sparky is a class act. Wanted to get some eyes on my technique and help me with some bad habits. Not only did I receive a world class experience, but I felt I made a friend in Sparky. He has a great way of coaching and I fully expect anyone who wants to either learn for the first time or get better at what you do already, to go see him instead of the big businesses. Support this business and you will be grateful you did. Thank you Sparky I will come visit you again! read more

My daughter and I did a private lesson as it was our first time surfing. We had 2 instructors and they were super patient with us and seemed to really know their stuff. Definitely recommend. Super fun. read more

We LOVED Sparky's Surf School! We brought our twins to Hawaii for their 5th birthday and one of our goals was to find someone to give the boys surf lessons. We found Sparky's Surf School on Yelp and were impressed by all the great reviews. Sparky was so accommodating and scheduled the boys for lessons with short notice. Sparky made our trip so memorable - both boys were able to stand on their first wave attempt! Sparky was so kind, patient, and wonderful with our boys. Hands down Sparky is the absolute best! This is the place to book! read more

Sparky and associate made amazing memories for my kids. They immediately made them feel comfortable and got them out on the water. The ease that the kids felt made the adventures that much better. They told us where to stand so we could get amazing videos and pictures. Even better as Sparky is a Mahomes fan. Absolutely worth the memories that are created. read more

We are a family of 4 with kids 7 and 10. They took great care of us. Each child had their own surf instructor. When my littlest got cold and wanted to go in, he took her to the beach and built sandcastles with her. My 10 yo could not stop smiling and is hooked on surfing. We opted for the photos package and their photographer was right in the water with us. We got such great photos. A wonderful experience and highlight of our trip read more

My 7yo daughter had a private surf lesson with Sparky. He was so kind and patient with her. She was able to stand up so many times and learned the basics so quickly thanks to Sparky. He has a real rapport with children and was also so great with us positioning us in the water for great videos and photos. Highly recommend and next time we are in Waikiki we will definitely take another lesson! read more

We got surf lessons for our three kiddos with the youngest being 8 years old. We had three instructors during our lesson Sparky, Dana, and Christian. They were incredible!!! Our kids were able to stand on the first wave and they made it fun, safe, and such a memorable experience for all of us. They were very positive and encouraging and were amazing!! You will NOT regret it and lessons with them are worth every penny and more! read more

Sparky is world class! My 6 and 8 year old had been dying to learn to surf and they are absolutely hooked after having such a positive experience with Sparky. They both got lots of rides, Sparky had a great setup with a partner instructor, and both instructors built such a relaxed, comfortable rapport with the kids that both kids came away super stoked. I even got a picture of both boys riding in at the same time! This exceeded every expectation, and I cannot imagine a better first learn-to-surf experience. Thank you so much for lighting a passion in my keiki read more

Mr. Mark is fantastic working with younger ones. He's very patient and communicates well with them. After 15 mins he had our son up and riding waves! We didn't know what to expect for the first time and we were blown away! Compared to the other beach front services, Sparky's has a very local authentic feeling. Mark is native and surfed his whole life, he has lots of knowledge to share! read more

It was so helpful to actually get somebody who would help us out on the water, and riding the waves, also standing on the board like we're good at it! We had so much fun, and I think an hour is just the right amount of time to get standing on the surfboard by the end. We were all pretty tired after the lessons but we loved it and had the best time!!! We're probably going to be talking about this for a pretty long time. read more

Sparky is able to pinpoint what exactly you are doing wrong or could improve on in order to better your surfing. He's patient, kind, and fun to be around. He cares about your comfort level and encourages you to be honest about how you are feeling in the water so that he can try to accommodate. He also has a very clear presence in the water. Everyone knows Sparky and respects him. One thing I really love about Sparky is that he cares a lot about the conditions for the time you scheduled. If he doesn't think that they're suitable for your level, he'll recommend a different time and you should trust him. If you choose to have photos of your session taken, Corinna is extremely talented and kind. She has a clear passion for photography and wants you to be really happy with the outcome. read more

My 8 year old had the best time with Kaaina! He rates him a 100/10 for skill and friendliness

The instructors were AMAZING and they were very knowledgeable and kind to my daughter and me. I would highly recommend and can't wait to do it again! read more

These guys really deserve their 5-star review. While traveling with friends, we had 4 boys that wanted lessons, ages 10 and 12. The instructors could not have been nicer and easier for the kids to learn with. They quickly covered safety, then followed with technique before entering the water, so they didn't belabor the dry side of learning. Waikiki Beach is awesome for easy rolling waves in which to learn. Our instructors helped make the most amazing experience for our boys and we are already planning another lesson before heading home. So much fun and good people to guide our kids! read more

Sparky's Surf School - Everybody's leaning how... - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My two kids took surf lessons with Sparky and we also got the photo package. It was an incredible experience! The kids had a great time, Sparky was so patient and they took to it right away, and we have the most incredible pictures as a keepsake! read more

My family and I, which includes our 7 and 10 year olds, had a wonderful time learning how to surf with the Sparky team. Everyone was so warm, patient, and made us feel like we were part of their family. Thank you so much for one of the best experiences we've had in Hawaii! This was our first time visiting Hawaii and learning to surf at Sparky's is a memory we will never forget. Mahalo read more

Wife, kiddo, and I set up a morning lesson with Sparky. Sparky and Kaipo were fantastic. We had all surfed some before but at different levels. Sparky made sure my wife was safe, comfortable, and confident in the crowded lineup. He focused on helping her learn how to paddle out, turn and catch waves on her own and made sure other surfers gave her plenty of room. Kaipo set my son and I up in the line up and let us know when the "good ones" were coming. We all caught so many waves our arms were noodles but our smiles couldn't have been bigger. Amongst a number of instructors in the water, Sparky and Kaipo were definitely the ones you wanted to be with. Only encouraging, calm, and fun. We didn't take a surf lesson, instead our new friends taught us how to surf better. Even if you have surfed before, I would highly recommend spending some time with Sparky to learn where the "good ones" break and be comfortable surfing in a new spot. We rented boards the next day and couldn't have been happier to see our new friends out in the water! read more

Sparky was really patient with my friend and I, not to mention very observant about correcting any mistakes in our form. We had a blast with him and he is also very friendly and easy to talk to. We recommend him wholeheartedly and we found his school from talking to a local hotel concierge. read more

We went in here because it had great reviews. To be honest, I would have preferred the surfing classes offered at the nearby hotels. Maybe this is a great place for people with prior surfing experience but for someone like me that had zero experience was not helpful at all. Sparky spent the hour not completely focusing in helping me learn to stand on the paddle board, but instead he was coaching other people near by on how to Surf. I felt that it was completely disrespectful to my hard earned money that I had to pay for 1 hr private lesson. I had another semi private lesson in the past and this one was the worst. I'm very disappointment with this experience. read more

We contacted Sparky's via phone to book a family lesson. Sparky returned our voicemail and we easily made the arrangements on their web site. Our family of four people received excellent instruction from three instructors who were very experienced and longtime surfers at Waikiki. Our entire family was standing on boards, surfing waves and having a fun, memorable experience at this legendary beach. The lesson rates were more than reasonable for what we received. We're ready for more! read more

I took a surf lesson with Sparky a couple months ago and it was hands-down the highlight to our vacation. Sparky's knowledge, patience, and energy were all qualities we enjoyed and appreciated. His instruction was clear and precise. We loved that he equally prioritized fun and safety the whole time. We also loved that we were supporting a Hawaiian native owned business. As we walked on Waikiki beach and waded in the water - many people greeted Sparky - unbenounced to us we were with a local celebrity! I already can't wait to take another lesson with him! read more

Sparky's Surf School - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Highly recommend Sparky's ‍ my daughter had the best time catching waves with Abe ... read more

Sparky's Surf School - Surfing ‍ - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Can't recommend this place enough. Our four year old is sometimes shy with new things but Mark did an incredible job making him feel comfortable in the water. They got up a few times and my husband was even able to surf right by them. We actually moved around a few things in our trip so we could book another lesson. read more

Mark gave my high energy 9yo a great lesson; he's surfed once before but it's been a few years and Mark had him standing up and riding some long waves within minutes. The 9yo gives him two thumbs up :) read more

My kid's surf lesson--from Sparky himself--was the highlight of our trip. All the 5 star reviews are no joke. Yes, she had the swimming skills and basic gymnastics balance & strength to do the job well, but it was his expertise and friendly teaching style that really got my typically nervous, shy kid standing up on the board and riding waves in the first 15 minutes. I was shocked at how much ease he brought into the whole process for her. She surfed like it was the easiest thing in the world, so relaxed. I have had years of experience watching her and her results with countless teachers, camp counselors, music instructors, and coaches. Sparky knows how to encourage kids, he knows how to make a scary thing seem effortless and fun. She loved surfing and cannot wait to go again. In Waikiki you can find surf lessons littered up and down the beach, but Sparky's got a way with kids and you can't argue with results. We booked a semi-private for my husband and daughter because she was that nervous to go alone, but each person still has their own instructor and I think she would've been comfortable with a private as well. The booking process can seem a little odd, you have to book online or by phone then show up at the Duke Statue and there's not a lot of info provided unless you ask. But not to worry--they will be there, surfboards in hand. Just be sure you have someone to watch your stuff for you on the beach. read more

Sparky's Surf School - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My son enjoyed the lessons from Sparky. He was very accommodating and excellent. I would recommend this school.

Mani was amazing!! Did such a good job with our teenagers and got them up more than they have been before. Highly recommend Mani!!

My first time to Hawaii and I wanted to try something new before the rest of my family met me on Oahu! Surfing was something I've always wanted to do and Sparky made that happen. While I wasn't the best I was still standing and managed to ride a few waves damn near to shore! Sparky is awesome and made the learning process super easy! Might even have to get back out there while I'm here! read more

Perfect! Sparky and Abe were amazing. They helped our kids (and the adults) relax and get over our nerves. We got up for every wave. No kidding. It was pleasant and easy with their guidance. Quit searching and just book the lesson with them! read more

This was an excellent experience!! First off I'll start by saying we slept in and ended up being 20 min late to the private lesson for my 6 year old daughter.. totally my fault. That said the instructor was totally understanding and accommodated my mistake as best he could. Parking can be a little challenging so I recommend leaving early enough to account for that. The instructor got started right away with some drills in the sand and before I knew it she was in the water. On her FIRST EVER WAVE she got up! I couldn't believe it and it made me really happy to see her succeed so quickly! The instructor worked so well with her and I felt very comfortable having my 6 year old in his care. I HIGHLY recommend Sparky's Surf School for kids and adults alike. Such a great experience! read more

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I had such an amazing first-time experience learning how to surf with Sparky! He's a super funny and chill guy, very patient and encouraging, which makes the learning process feel smooth. They even took some really cute photos and videos of my boyfriend and me--soooo sweet! I would definitely recommend him to any beginners looking to learn how to surf :) read more

Simply amazing. We booked a lesson with Sparky for our four year old daughter after being told several places that she was too young. He was incredible with her- patient, clear, and made her so comfortable in the water. She stood up and rode the waves several times, and this was her FIRST time attempting to surf. My only regret is not knowing about Sparky's school until the last day of our vacation. If we had been able to do a lesson every day we were there, our girl would be a pro by now! read more

Sparky's Surf School - Standing up first time surfing - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Husband and I had an excellent time with Curt and Ikaika as our surf instructors. They were patient and encouraging and made sure we both were able to stand up and actually surf! We felt safe even though it got pretty crowded in the water and had an absolute blast. read more

Sparky's Surf School - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My daughter had the best time with Sparky's surfing lesson!!! She learned to read the wave, paddle, stand up and ride. Brought her so much joy and Sparky was so kind and patient with her. Highly recommend this school to everyone! read more

Sparky's Surf School - Surfing lesson - Surf Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My son and I have been surfing with Sparky's for our last 3 trips. They are family oriented with a great staff. I would recommend Sparky's to anyone looking to catch a wave for the first time. read more

My 11-year old daughter had the most amazing surf lesson from Sparky (Thomas Barros). He was very professional and knowledgeable! He met he at the Duke statue on Waikiki beach. He did an excellent job communicating with me regarding our lesson time and location. And even though I was running a few minutes late, he still gave my daughter the full hour lesson. He was also willing to give us a military discount. My daughter had so much fun with him that she didn't want to leave the lesson and was begging me to rent a surf board afterwards so she could continue surfing! I also decided to pay the money to have pictures taken out in the water of her lesson...who knew it would be by the #3 female surfer in the world, Sofia! She was so polite and took all of the pictures I could have asked for! She was also extremely helpful getting my daughter back up on the board after she road it in towards shore! For any new surfers, they do provide the board, but I do recommend wearing a wet suit because of getting on and off the board. So if you can rent one or buy one ahead of time, you will be much more comfortable. And don't forget to use ocean safe sunscreen on your face. The only challenging part was finding a place to park near the beach so I recommend arriving in plenty of time to find a spot. Thanks again Sparky and Sofia for an amazing experience!!! read more

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