Hawaii Surf Guru

This was my first surf lesson and I couldn’t have chosen a better instructor. Kimo has a great philosophy towards surfing and really wants you to have a positive experience while in his care. After a little lesson on the beach, we hit the waves. I stood up on my first wave and the experience only got better. He started teaching me some technique on how to turn and proper surf etiquette. It’s a bit after the lesson now, I’ve got some sore muscles that I didn’t even know I had, and a huge smile on my face. I will be surfing from now on. Thanks Kimo, next time I’m back hopefully we’ll have a little more advanced lesson!

I bought a custom 8’0″ HSG longboard shaped by Kimo and it surfs like a dream. Although I had to switch to a longboard after recovering from an injury, I’m now super stoked because of this board!

During my recent trip to Oahu, I am glad my two friends and fiancé decided to take surf lessons and even more pleased that we did so with Kimo.
It was my second time ever surfing and the rest of the crew’s first time. Kimo was patient, fun and incredibly successful in getting us all up on the boards. He shared his philosophy on surfing which was basically that you should enjoy it and go back to your childlike self — what’s better than that during vacation!
He provided surf shirts, boards and shoes (given the rocks, etc. in the bay). He chose a location that was less populated and felt more appropriate for private lessons.
It was $ 75 each for the 4 of us and worth every penny! I highly recommend selecting Kimo if you are interested in learning to surf during your time on Oahu.

Danny & I had the best first time paddle board lesson with Kimo; if you are going to be here then this is such a great experience!

Took 2 lessons with Kimo and they were awesome! Caught many waves and Kimo is very professional and a great teacher. He has a great way of helping you connect with the ocean and leave your other worries behind — plus good pep talk if you need it! Will definitely take lesson from Kimo again when I am back in Honolulu!

Absolutely awesome. I had been surfing before with other instructors but with Kimo I actually learned how to surf!!! I had the best time and he is such a wonderful teacher… I could not recommend him more!!!

Kimo was great! My first time surfing and he helped me get up right away. He talked me through each run and built my confidence. Then he was very encouraging and made me feel like I was doing well on each ride. I liked the way he talked about surfing as a way of life in Hawaii. I definitely recommend him.

This was the highlight of my trip in Hawaii. Kimo is motivating, knowledgable, and offers a personal, local experience that you can’t get from other surf lessons. Try it out… I promise you won’t be disappointed!

I am so glad I got to surf with Kimo! A friend highly recommended him, telling me that she was able to get up in her first few tries after never having surfed before. Living in LA and previously having tried to surf to no avail, I was excited by the idea of having an experience like hers.
I booked a private lesson ($ 120 for ~2 hours) and met up with Kimo my first full day on the island. He even brought a board for my husband who wasn’t joining us for the lesson! He has some really fantastic boards, which I’m sure really help make the experience positive. He first confirmed my dominant foot, then he showed me the process for getting up on the board. We suited up and paddled out into the water, and within no more than 30 minutes, I was riding my first wave! SUCCESS!
I caught even more waves with Kimo’s sincere and gentle guidance, and when my husband came in from the big waves, I got to show him my new skills! He ended up booking a lesson with Kimo a few days later, and had a great time advancing his intermediate skills in the water.
Even if you don’t like surfing, which I swear isn’t possible, you’ll love spending time with Kimo in the water and probably pick up some things you can practice in your day-​to-​day life. He’s a passionate, down-​to-​earth guy and a downright joy to hang out with!
This is a can’t-miss experience if you’re headed to Oahu! We’ll definitely be back for another lesson next time!

Kimo is patient, kind, knowledgeable, professional. I had a private SUP lesson and it was by far the best use of funds during my time in Waikiki. I learned good technique and fundamentals that give me the confidence to take my stand up out solo now. I definitely want more instruction some day and found a great match for my teacher. Thanks Kimo. 5+++ stars.

Im a intermediate surfer from SoCal and I can highly recommend Kimo. He is professional, knowledgable, and puts safety first. He has a very good eye if you are looking to take the next step in your surfing abilities. And, he is fun to surf with.

My experience with Kimo has been wonderful! FIVE STARS. Im actually getting complimented on my surfing skills by other local surfers at in-​betweens surf break thanks to Kimo!
Here’s alittle background, My name is Mary and Im a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and have been living in Hawaii with my family for 5 years. My sister is a experienced short board surfer and my brother also was blessed physically, I on the other hand have asthma and have struggled to get out in the beautiful ocean here. My dream is to ride a large southern swell in Waikiki, one most have told me is impossible as I am known as Mary Molasses. –_​_​– So this year I decided I was going to try to find someone who I could trust to at least get me riding one wave. In February I contacted Kimo based on the excellent reviews he had on Unilocal for a private lesson. (i also thought the guru name was cool but thats beside the point). Kimo is an EXCELLENT surf instructor and has helped me grow so confident in myself. I went from not being able to stand up to riding down the line of a wave on my FIRST LESSON)0o0. He always looks out for me and keeps me in a safe position. Ive never been pushed into or told to paddle in on a wave that someone else was on. He always give me tips on watching the waves or tells me that paddle boarders have long leashes so when they fall there boards go out farther so they can accidentally hit you. He also told me that usually they always catch the wave first from the outside so now I watch them closely to stay safe. (plus they can see waves coming before you, fun Kimo surf tip that helps when your lying on your tummy trying to see whats coming)
I have been taking lessons with Kimo very couple of weeks since February because I feel safe and get better and better every lesson. There isn’t a more professional instructor out there, he’s there to show you a world most people don’t ever get to see, so unlike other surf companies here that just see you as another temporary dollar sign. He has taught me so many things its hard to list them all. He’s been patient and believed in me when I struggled. You can tell by his actions in and out of the water that he really cares about his clients and treats them like family. He always has a water for me, a rash guard, a towel, water shoes for when I was just starting out so I wouldn’t kill my feet. Since then with Kimo’s help I have caught a 8 foot face, took the drop and continue to improve my surfing skills by
adding tricks! :) I can now switch stance and Im finding my own «style» as Kimo calls it. More importantly I’m learning new things about myself that I didn’t believe was there, that I can be strong and I can be a surfer. Kimo always tells me «pretend the wave is a canvas, every time you ride you become a artist creating a different painting» «connect with your inner child, let yourself laugh and enjoy your ride, cheer for yourself when its done» These comment along with the experience of walking on water changed my life and I will continue to see Kimo and recommend him to people in my family, in Honolulu and beyond because he inspires me. I hope one day I can do some of the tricks he and his wife do. They really encompass the Aloha spirit and radiate positivity. If you want to learn how to surf trust a GURU, Hawaii’s surf guru ;)

The Surf Guru is Best in class!!! Kimo and team are amazing! It was our first professional surfing lesson and we got on every wave Kimo sent us out on. He’s about quality in his service, coaching and equipment. If you have the desire to learn how to surf, Kimo is your sensei!

Kimo is the best! He provided everything my teen son and his two friends needed and was very patient when we made a wrong turn and ended up being a half hour late. He had the boys suited up and in the water in minutes and had them up and riding waves within 20 minutes. Reasonably priced and super friendly.
Afterwards gave us advice on where to have lunch and how to get there. I would recommend him in heartbeat to anyone who wants to surf on Oahu!

I flew into Hawaii last Monday not knowing how to surf. I found Kimo and since Tuesday I have been learning how to ride with him. On Day 1 I was able to catch several waves on the «magic carpet» and he went over the basics and the fundamentals of riding. Day 2 – 5 I was taught to hone in on the skills and to always remember the fundamentals of surfing. He ensures you learn everything step by step and best of all, I had so much fun every time I went out with him and he truly was an exceptional coach and mentor. He pays attention to the small details and ensures you are well taken care of. I highly and strongly recommend Kimo to anyone serious in learning a great sport. Surfing has become a lifestyle and an activity that has become THE highlight of my time in Hawaii.
Thank you Kimo!

No surprise after reading other reviews that we had a great experience. I called Kimo at 12:30 to see if my brother and I could get a lesson. He met us at the beach an hour later. Right off the bat we were shocked at how accommodating he was.
We met him at the beach right outside of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. He was right on time and had all of the necessary gear. It was in great shape. We had walked down the beach the day before to see if we could just book lessons and I am glad we didn’t. Everyone else is using pretty beat up stuff.
Once we had all of our gear, we played our boards down and got about a 5 minute lesson (Trust me, that is all you will need). Then we headed out.
Kimo takes you to a spot that is not over-​crowded. It is mostly locals and they all know him. This is great because he keeps you from running into anyone and they stay out of your way (if you are a beginner you will have a hard time controlling where you are going). He is focused on safety all of the time
Once you are ready to get your first wave, Kimo positions you and gives you a little push as you paddle. This makes it way easier to get up. My brother got up on his first try. I got up on my second. After every wave Kimo gives you great tips, while keeping the mood really light and fun.
When we paddled back, Kimo grabbed us both a bottle of water while he put up all of his gear.
This was my first time surfing and I am so glad I went with Kimo. He made it fun and made sure that we both got some great waves.

Kimo was great with my 8yr old. He was patient and insured that not only did my son get up on the board but also truly enjoyed his time out with Kimo. I also appreciated that Kimo was able to outfit my son fully to keep him comfortable and safe.
Next time around we’ll get a lesson early in our vacation so we can work another in before leaving the island. Thanks Kimo!

I called Kimo on short notice to see if he’d accommodate my wife and me for our first-​ever surf lesson. We connected within a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. He graciously and patiently talked is through some basics and then we paddled out.
He found us some steady, gentle breaks and coached us through our initial trepidation. He’s a great coach — for surf and for perspective on life. He made the afternoon all about «us» and helped us connect with the little kid inside and turned us into surfers!
We will absolutely be back to Oahu and Kimo will be taking us out for another lesson when we return.
He’s not a big company; he’s just an Oahu native who loves to share his passion for surfing. If you’re looking for a laid back, patient Zen surf guru, Kimo is the guy to call.

Kimo was absolutely amazing. We found his ad on CL, since trying to find surf lessons on Unilocal was not very effective, nor did many places call us back. We called him and just with the phone encounter, we booked with him right away. We did a semi-​private lesson and it was $ 90 each. We had a quick on the shore tutorial and then we go.
We started close in and I got up on the first attempt and she got up on the second attempt. LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD or you drive off da cliff.
In the 2 hours out there, we caught several waves. Take your time and dont rush getting back out so you dont burn out. Stamina and a good breakfast is key.
If its your first time, take morning lessons since the waters are much more calm as we found out later in the day when we were confident and rented boards and then flopped because of the crazy wind and choppy surf.
He made sure everything was safe and fun. We moved further out to «drop in» and we just kept going and going. This is a locals area and all the others out there had much respect for Kimo and gave us plenty of space and if a collision was imminent, they bailed so you could ride.
When I go back, I will get more and more lessons from him. Cant wait to return. He works closely with the medical professionals there and they come straight to him for their lunch break rides and lessons with him.
This was by far one of my Top 3 experiences on this 10 day vacation…
Mahalo Kimo
–James

Kimo is such an awesome instructor! It was my first time surfing, and with Kimo’s guidance, I was able to catch a few waves! Of course I fell a bunch of times. But each time, Kimo gave me tips and pointers on how to improve. He emphasizes on having fun, relaxing and appreciating the water, and of course safety. His no pressure attitude really helps if you’re a beginner. He provides you with a board, rash guard, and shoes, which was really great. I just had to show up, put on the gears, and after some basic instructions, off we went on our water adventure! I’m glad he doesn’t take on a super mass group class like I did see with some other people out on the water because then you know you’re in good hands with the proper attention you need when learning new skills.
Highly recommend!