Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha
add photosA surf school located in Waikiki hosted at the Waikiki Hyatt Regency. Dane Kealoha is the owner, a surf school instructor, and an award winning surfer.
Located right across the street from the Waikiki Hyatt Regency Hotel are some of the finest surf spots on the island of Oahu for both beginners and advanced - young and old alike. Classes are offered to both English and Japanese speaking surfers.
Lesson start at 8:30, 10:30, and 3:30
Lesson price includes a shirt to prevent sun burn, booties so you don't get cut on the coral reef, board, towels, a place to lock up your valuables and free board rental that you can use another day.
For current prices: http://www.hyattsurfacademy.com/html2/hours.php
2 Reviews for Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha
41
40
'10, '11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"surf local style, with kids!"
For a more relaxed and personal experience learning how to surf, check our Dane Kealoha's Surf Academy. Located at the Waikiki Hyatt, it's across the street from the beach. It doesn't seem to get the volume that the beachfront schools do and the instructors are wonderfully personable and patient. Step into the shop and you'll find a wall full of boards and numerous framed magazine covers featuring Dane. He dominated the surfing scene in the early '80s. We brought our six year-old along and he had a blast learning how to surf. In fact, he lasted most of the two hours and then wanted to go out for more. We had one instructor for my wife and I (Max), then Tasha was with our son the entire time. Atilla was also present on a board taking some awesome photos. Think you can't surf with kids? Ages 5 and younger are free with your paid lesson. If your child is water savvy, they can probably do it. A life jacket is provided for kids. I highly recommend this shop.
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
1 family found this helpful
"Friendliest and most patient instructors"
Our family took to the waves for the first time this morning - mom, dad, and 6 year old. We decided to try Surf Academy because we had heard some good things about this new surf school located at the Hyatt Regency. Our experience was nothing short of wonderful. Although we booked a group lesson it felt like we had one on one attention. There was one main instructor, a support instructor and then a photographer (yes, in the water with us). Our 6 old had someone by his side the entire time and we never worried about him at all. Our instructors (Max and Natasha) were so friendly and encouraging the whole time. They were super professional, but really warm at the same time. It made all the difference. For a first time surf lesson everything was perfect. After a quick lesson on the steps for standing up, we headed to the beach. After paddling out, one instructor sat behind the wave with us while the photographer waited on the other side of the wave. So one person is able to see what you are doing on the set up and the other person is able to see what made you fall off your board. They worked so well in tandem that within 3 tries I was up on the board. It felt so amazing. The other groups out on the water definitely didn't have so many instructors observing and providing input on how to improve. Having an expert surfer and photographer in the water was an added bonus that I wasn't expecting but made a huge difference to our experience. The other photographers were sitting up on the beach with telescope lenses. Although you are under no obligation to purchase the DVD of photos for $80 (about 130 shots), once you see the photos, you're going to want to buy it.
Natasha who was with our 6 year old was super sweet. She was incredibly patient with him, building up his confidence and towing him back out again and again so he would just have fun and not get exhausted. First he just rode on the waves sitting down. Then she encouraged him to get on his knees. By the end of the first hour, he got up enough confidence and courage to stand up. I was so impressed with him but also with the genuine interest the instructors had to see us all succeed.
We were also very happy that they seemed more interested in ensuring that we had a wonderful experience than making the most money they can from each session. If there is a young child in the group, they immediately close the session so that it's just the parents and the child. If a child is 5 or younger, they can be included for free with a paying adult. If you decide you just want an hour lesson, you can pay half the price.
I did a little price comparison up and down the beach and found that their rates are pretty much on par with everyone else, but you get so much for what you pay for - excellent instructors, towels, a place to lock up your valuables, booties, swim shirt, an an extra day of free board rental. I highly recommend the Surf Academy if you're looking for the boutique experience.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha »
Find Activities near Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha »
Find Restaurants near Surf Academy by Dane Kealoha »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
