Surfing In Hawaii

How I Started

Green barrel wave next to rock jetty

View of surfers across Waikiki toward Diamond Head

I first went surfing in Hawaii in 1995. I didn't know that when I started the trip, but it ended up being one.

On my to Hawaii, I bumped into a childhood friend, Berndt, whom I knew from Germany almost 15 years earlier. He just happened to be going on vacation to Hawaii on exactly the same flight. Once in Honolulu, I bumped into another friend, Tom, from back home in California. A surfer of a few years, Tom convinced Berndt and I to give it a try. I�d already spent lots of time in the ocean, both bodyboarding Ocean Beach in San Francisco (with a super-thick, old-school Jacques Cousteau wetsuit) and scuba diving in Monterey, so I was an easy sell.

The three of us rented huge hardtop longboards from a rental stand on Waikiki beach � two hours for twenty bucks. (I�ve since found far better deals, but it sure was convenient.) After going over some basics like pop-ups and foot position, we paddled out and started waiting. The massive two foot waves started rolling in. After some encouragement from Tom (Paddle!Paddle!Paddle!) and a few wipeouts, Berndt and I actually started riding waves, and for longer than seven seconds. I loved it. I tried it a few more times that week. After surfing in Hawaii a few times, I could actually trim a longboard on easy, small waves. I�ve since gone on to surf smaller boards in colder water, but that�s another story.

Hawaii Accomodations

If I�m going to go surfing in Hawaii, I want an ocean view. I love being able to hang out on the balcony with my wife, watching the waves roll in and having a drink. Of course I�m on a budget and can�t always afford the full ocean view, especially in Waikiki. So for about half the price, I usually find something with a partial view about a block from the beach. But �partial view� can mean many things. Sometimes you�re staring at a derelict in an alley with a tiny glimpse of the ocean, and other times you get a nearly full view. Many hotel Web sites show images of the kind of view you can expect. Sometimes you can change your room for something better if you don�t like it at check in. I usually travel in May or September and get good off-season rates. We usually end up staying at an Ohana hotel.

Car Rental

You can find good rental car deals on the Internet, and off-season car rates are great. Since I have a family and my rented surfboard, I get a Minivan. When in Hawaii, I love cars that are practical in transporting kids and surfboards, and therefore totally uncool. I�ve found rates as low as $180 for the week. If it�s not a busy time of year, you might get your best deal just walking up to the counter when you get there. If you don�t like their prices, there are several other counters nearby.

Hawaii Pics

Some places I surfed in Hawaii

Map - surfing in Hawaii.

Rainbow at Hanalei Bay, Kauai

Rainbow at Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii

Daugher on surfboard Ala Moana Park, Honolulu

Daughter on surfboard Ala Moana Park, Honolulu

Protected beach Kauai, lots of fish and kids

Web www.surfingcal.com

Surfed Hawaii?

Did you share the waves with thousands of other people? Spend too much money for a Haole Luau?

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