Hook Up Surfing

Ivan was fantastic teaching my 8 year old son how to surf! My son completely enjoyed the surfing experience at a nice local spot! When we return we will sign up for more lessons. Ivan is an excellent instructor! I highly recommend surf lessons from Ivan!

Jenn was AWESOME! Great teacher, would recommend Hook up for any level of experience. It was a great experience. If you are anywhere on the island look them up. Mahalo.

Me, my wife and 2 girls had lessons today with Ivan and Jen. They were first rate, concerned with our safety and our surfing fun. None of us had ever been proper surfing, though we have body surfed and have done boogie boards. They picked us up at our hotel and drove us to a great spot for beginners. We had a perfect morning for surfing and 3 out of 4 of us were able to stand up. Jen was really great with the girls (9 and 10) and both of them are really stoked to surf some more.
Ivan worked with the adults (me and my wife) and struck a good balance between working us and building confidence.
It was a really great day and experience for all of us!

WISH I COULD SIGN UP FOR MORE! My husband and I signed up for lessons at a local surf shop near our hotel and were so glad we did! Ivan is an excellent instructor! His on shore instructions/​information was quick and striaght to the point so that we were able to get as much time in the water as possible. He really paid attention to our form and told us how to work with what is natural for us. His feedback after every wave was really helpful and helped us ride more waves than we thought either of us would!!!
Next time we are on Oahu we will definitely call Ivan again!!!

I was able to cross ‘surfing in Hawaii’ off of my bucket list, thanks to my instructor Ivan! I actually found ‘hook up surfing’ by chance, walking into a surf shop near my hotel.
I definitely recommend the one on one lessons if you’ve never surfed before.
Ivan goes over with you thoroughly the fundamentals and shares with you tips and tricks so that you will be able to surf safely. You will be standing and surfing on your first lesson with his help.
I wish my visit was longer so that I could book more lessons!

Great experience and a great guy. Ivan is great at identifying with his students and does an excellent job making everyone feel comfortable.
My two sons and I took group lessons and he couldn’t have done a better job of making everyone feel like it was a private lesson. His skill and knowledge transferred through flawlessly. If we return I would love to go out again with him.
Thanks Ivan.

If an Ohio girl can be taught how to surf than anyone can!
I am proud to say Ivan at Hook-​Up Surfing is my surf coach! They tailor each lesson to fit your surf level. Ivan taught me from day one all about the being comfortable in the ocean and reading waves (back home we only have Lake Erie) to strapping the ankle band on securely, to standing up, and of course being comfortable surfing all size waves!
I trust this crew!

Jenn and Ivan were kind, encouraging and patient. My wife, daughter and I all took lessons while in Waikiki. By the end of the first lesson we all rode waves! Most importantly, Jenn developed our daughter’s confidence in the water. In fact, after we left Waikiki, our daughter remarked that she wished she could still spend time in Waikiki so that she could spend more time with Jenn. High praise from our nine year old.
Surf with these two folks, you will enjoy the experience and improve your surfing.

Jenn and Ivan are great instructors. You owe it to yourself to take a lesson if you want to learn to surf or stand up paddle, you will not regret going with hook ups surfing.

I love Hook Up Surfing! I’ve been out for lessons with Ivan and Jenn 6 – 7 times over the past year and have had a great experience every time, both on group and private lessons. Ivan is encouraging and personable and very good at helping you make corrections so you get better with every wave, and he makes sure you always have fun while you’re learning. Jenn is similarly awesome, both for her photo-​taking skills and her surfing and stand-​up paddle (SUP) instruction. Nothing like learning from a pro. :)
Lesson rates are very reasonable, they provide transport, the land lesson is comprehensive and has a good safety focus, and they always make sure to find the best waves for your skill level once you’re in the water. I can’t recommend them enough!

Hi,
This review isn’t about the quality of instruction, but ethics instead. I bought a living social deal the year I was going to go there. He was all booked when I was there and told me I could give it away to a friend or family member and he would honor it. Anyway, when I did that he was charging them more than the value of the voucher ontop of the voucher. Very shady.

Ivan is a terrific instructor. When you first meet him you will notice that he is very chill and he puts you at ease. He will hand you a long-​sleeve rash-​guard shirt so that you do not get rash burn from the board that he provides to you for the duration of your lesson. He stresses safety first and foremost which is great. Safety comes first… both yours and Ivan’s and the people who you may be with while surfing.
During the land lesson which lasts for about half an hour he goes through technique and makes it very easy to understand. Make sure you pay attention to what he says and does and ask questions if you do not understand.
Then he hands out the surf boards and lets you know where to walk. From there he takes you into the water for the surf lesson and helps you with your leash. My husband was up and running in no time! Check out the picture that I uploaded of my husband surfing for the first time ever.
I highly suggest that you take surf lessons from Ivan. He gets 5 stars which I rarely give on Unilocal.
I also highly suggest that you buy the pics and video so that you can remember that day. You will not regret it! :)

Got a living social coupon for the both of us, called up and made appointment, and got prep instructions on the phone. We were in front of the hotel on the morning, and Ivan swung around in his van (with long-​boards on top!) and picked us up.
Upon unloading, he handed out long-​sleeve rash-​guard shirts to both of us. Came in very handy! Good instruction and practice on the lawn. Then it was off to carrying our boards to the beach.
After instructions on paddling, he led us off slowly to the breaks. These were not your Waikiki tourist low-​liers. These were 3−5ft! For first-​timers, it was a bit daunting but Ivan gave us confidence and reassurance. Also, there was practically no one else around except some dumb canoer whom Ivan shoo-​ed away to give us some space. Then he shoved us off and we were on a roll. After each run, he’d direct us back in line.
The boo was having a bit of trouble, so he paused to give detailed instruction, correction and make her practice before catching her next wave. It helped — she got it done!
Could’ve gone on forever and gotten better and better if i didn’t wuss out of breath. Ivan generously helped push me back to shore! Which instructor would do that?
Will definitely go back, maybe try SUP with Jen (who came along to take pics and help) next time. Good people, excellent instruction!

Whenever I experience something fun and awesome, I want to share it with the world in hopes that others will try it too. Surf lessons with Ivan is one of them.
It’s been a looong winter, and I was hesitant about standing up on a fast moving longboard in a bathing suit amongst strangers. I agree with Vadim’s post, ‘it helps if you’re in good physical shape…,’ but on the contrary, I was NOT FIT and still had a BLAST! Soooo happy I did it!
Getting in the water, paddling and catching waves is such great exercise and so much fun. I felt like a kid again, playing in the ocean. Surfing has actually inspired me to incorporate those experiences into my daily life on the mainland. Why shouldn’t we have that much fun everyday?!
Oahu spring morning started off rainy, but by 9am was sunny and warm. Met Ivan at Kaimana Beach, but he will pick you up in Honolulu too. Right away, I spotted his blue van loaded with six long-boards…couldn’t miss him. He handed out sunscreen and rash-​guard shirts (long sleeve) for everyone. Ivan was well prepared.
Our group of five students were at different levels. Two had already taken lessons prior and the rest were beginners. We went through the land lesson where Ivan customized our stance for each individual. He had great tips for paddling too. Before we got into the water, everyone felt confident and safe about where we were headed.
Once we were at the wave break, Ivan lined us up and helped us catch our waves, one by one. Waves were 1 – 3 feet on the front side. After catching my first wave, I had a huge permasmile… the ENTIRE DAY. We each caught as many waves as we wanted or physically could. I actually asked if we were almost finished before the lesson ended, because I caught so many waves. I bet private lessons are well worth it. Everyone was positive and supportive, cheering each other on. It was awesome!
Ivan is truly a great coach. If you listen to his instructions and follow them, you will learn to surf. I tend to err on the side of caution and over think things. Ivan made me feel safe and confident about catching waves.
Things I would do differently:
Light Meal: I ate a huge breakfast and still managed to have a great time. But in the future, I will have just one banana or papaya.
Sign-​up for Day One & Everyday of trip: I scheduled my lesson towards the end of my trip, but wish I signed up for Day One and Everyday. Highlight of my week/month…über memorable!