Surfing Lessons Oahu ~ Ali'i Beach Boy & Company on the Northshore Oahu, in Haleiwa, Hawaii

Each lesson covers the following:

Brief history on ancient He’e Nalu (wave sliding)
Safety conscious, highly motivated instructors
Land drills and techniques
Shallow water practice of skills
Surfboards and rash guards
Information, information, information.

The beginner boards we use are ‘soft tops’, their fins are ‘flex’ fins. The designs are to help improve the SAFETY margin.

INTRODUCTION

1. Surf Lessons

2. Instructor (self intro.)

3. Participants (share as much as they want)

SAFETY / RESCUE

1. Emergency Phone number in Hawaii is 911

2. Bleeding / Direct pressure and elevation / Use a barrier

3. Whistle / Arm Signal / "I need assistance"/"Help"

4. Surfboard is the most immediate rescue tool

5. Personal Conditioning / Know your capabilities / Do not attempt a rescue if tired.

6. Survival Skills / Know how to float on back and face down positions. / Go underwater to avoid collisions

7. Sun Protection / Hat, Glasses/Goggles, Sunscreen

8. Alertness / Focus

9. Never Surf Alone / Go with a Buddy

We always emphasize staying relaxed and rest as much as you need to!

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

1. Knowing Your Equipment / Nose, Tail, Rail, Stringer, Fins, Deck, Bottom, Leash, Wax.

2. Surf Site / Lifeguard, Accessibility, Bathrooms, Phone, Parking, Shoreline, Depth, Hazards.

3. Waves / Set Height, Intervals, Direction, Peak/Shoulder.

4. Wind / Speed, Direction.

5. Current / Direction (s)

6. Tide / Check a tide chart.

7. Using Landmarks / Identify objects directly in front (on the beach), to the right / left. Also, use other people.

8. Sun Factor / Plan for the time of day / Duration / use sunscreen.

9. Surf Etiquette / Never go for a wave if someone else is going for it.

10. Channel / Paddle Out / Locate the channel prior to going out.

11. Surfer's Right / Left

12. Board Positioning relating to waves / Keep the nose of the board pointing into the waves.

13. Rotation of participants / Where to sit / Focus

SKILLS

1. Prone Position / Turning / Resting / Both hands palm down, one forward one back. Back hand scoops forward (this is the direction you'll turn)

2. Sitting Position / Turning / Resting / to turn, rotate your legs clockwise or counter clockwise

3. Paddling Strokes / Reach forward, pull with arm and elbow underwater, past the hip. Recover at Shoulder height.

4. Standing / Weight evenly distributed over 4 points of balance: front of both feet and back of both feet. Feet spread just outside of shoulder width. (min.) Knees / Hips always bent (keep your head over your feet). The more bend the more stable you are.

5. Sliding / Feet kept on the board, in the center. You slide forward and back, one foot at a time to shift your weight to stay in the wave.

6. Walking / Cross over step, keeping the same angle of your feet. Start with the back foot up the center of the board / slide back.

7. Turning / Shift weight from the front foot to the back foot. Put pressure on the front or back of the back foot, depending which direction you want to turn.

8. Falling / on your stomach or backside - ALWAYS keeping feet UP. Swim to board or pull it towards you with the leash.