My husband and I had a 2 hour lesson with Mike on Sunday 11/12, in North Shore Oahu, at Malaekahana Beach. First, we were glad that they were available on a Sunday, since the first couple companies we called were closed. We had a 10-15 minute lesson on the sand, covering safety, route in the water and popping up on the board - then it was right in the water! I was nervous, but surprisingly got up on my first go! I had some trouble after that (started over-thinking too much) but my husband was a natural. Even though I was having a hard time, and getting frustrated with myself, Mike remained encouraging and patient. Despite my struggles (and exhaustion - stretch your arms/shoulders before-hand!) we had a great time.. we even got to swim with a sea turtle! I ended strong - Mike was friendly, helpful and very chill - helped make for a great first surf experience! read more

Had a surfing lesson last year with my cousin & I got a groupon deal. We both left feeling like rockstars, but probably because it's super hard to mess up in Hawaii waves, compared to California waves. All you have to do is basically stand up & you're surfing haha. Vanessa was definitely helpful though. Only 3 stars because at the end of the lesson, she stated that her tip had to be something ridiculous (either 25% or something like that), which was NEVER stated in the groupon deal! Left a bad taste in my mouth after that. read more

I typically never write bad reviews, only lovely ones, however I wanted to warn others of Hawaii Surf Retreat and the owner, Katie. Previously to attending Hawaii Surf Retreat I had only heard great things so I booked my trip for March 2014 in January. 2 days before the retreat, I was contacted and told Katie was about to have twins and would not be able to teach the retreat, that Vanessa from Jetty Betty Surf School would be our instructor. I arrived in HI with no one there to greet me, waited 2 hours for a $180 cab ride, and was cc'd accidentally about how high maintenance I seemed. The activities promised were all of a sudden "not a part of the trip", and conveniently Katie and Vanessa passed blame back and forth, only praising the other when it was convenient. I was placed in a dirty room, with a filthy bathroom with no running water, I should state it was fixed the day before I left and was coolly told to "try to use the neighbors shower." It seems depending on what kind of week Vanessa the owner of Jetty Betty Surf School, and Katie the owner of Hawaii Surf Retreat are having, depends on what the exact agenda is and the rules are. I surfed 4 out of 8 days, several times other than the 4 of us signed up in the group, others/outsiders joined us, one day 8 people to one instructor. I was politely given a 2 minute surf instruction my first day. I felt unsafe, and would absolutely need further training to even consider picking up a surf board again. If anything, I was more frightened by the end of my trip, and felt so unsafe I opted out of the last day of surfing. I do NOT recommend Vanessa, the owner of Jetty Betty Surf School, or Katie, the owner of Hawaii Surf Retreat to book your trip with. I calculated that I was overcharged well over $1000 for my non professional, classless, unproductive, and noneducational surf "retreat" to Hawaii. And lastly, to confirm, if high maintenance is getting what you pay for and expecting nice, professional service, then I guess I am then. Vanessa or Katie was approachable nor present to discuss my concerns, only making excuses, blaming one another, and RUDE. On a positive note, Hawaii is beautiful and I met some really cool people on the island. I recommend, stay somewhere nice, and rent a hot surfer on the beach for way less money and way more surfing knowledge!!! Aloha! read more

I love Hawaii, visit many times, friendly people beatiful place but this experience nearly kill me. Venussa lady is only after money. I not good swimmer but ok. we do very fast lesson on sand, she very angry. then take out into water, much rip or currant. I cant paddle against and she leaves me. Others same. one girl crying. return to shore lucky. Lesson abandoned but no refund. Vanessa very agreesive and storm off, no talk anymore, bye thats it, money gone. Avoid. 避ける read more

I found Jetty Betty via a Living Social coupon. My husband and I bought a lesson each and we met Vanessa in Oahu, Haleiwa beach. Vanessa was very easy to get ahold of and set the lesson date. She was personable over the phone. We met Vanessa in the parking lot of a local restaurant and then drove over to the beach for lessons. Our group was five students. We were provided rash guards (long sleeved shirts that were light weight and did not get heavy with water) and surf boards. The boards were in good condition, big and WIDE for beginners. We had a 10 min lesson on the beach where we discussed safety, how to watch the pattern of the waves, how to get up on the board and how the lesson was going to run. We paddled out and Vanessa coached one student at a time. We were lined up in the surf and Vanessa would take one student at a time to coach. She wore flippers and would be in the water, ready to take the next student as soon as the previous one set out on a wave. Once you finished your ride, you paddle back to the group and took a spot at the end of the line and we kept up the loop for the rest of the lesson. Vanessa did a great job. She was confident, easy going and a good teacher. She spoke clearly and gave good instruction. I felt safe with her because she had mentioned she had been teaching for a while and looked like a surfer herself (I didn't know about her credentials and website till after my lesson). Everyone in my group was able to stand at least once and I was able to catch a wave all the way to shore! read more

I had lessons with Vanessa at her California location. I was nervous, but once I met her and knew this was her occupation, it made all the difference! I asked her what the most impt skill to have was, and she said confidence. She gave me the confidence to surf today and cannot recommend her enough. read more

I went on a whim to Vanessa's jetty Betty surf camp. I was worried it would be corny and kind of lame and I would end up hating it....BUT... It was awesome. I saw all the other lame surf schools out there and they looked pretty weak. We were the best. I'm feeling like I could surf some pretty good size waves now . I was pretty beginner but my end of the week I was riding med size waves in all by myself:). I'm in ok shape so it wasn't a biggie. She won't paddle you in like the other schools but it honestly makes the learners look pretty lame when they can't even paddle out. Sorry you should be in pretty good shape before going to surf for 5 days straight anyway. That being said it was an awesome workout. Not only was Vanessa an amazing teacher, she was cool to hang out with and picks u up or meets you with breakfast lunch and drinks. This is if you do the whole camp. The accommodations were great and we paddle boarded , hiked did yoga etc. it was like paying for a BFF on the north shore. She was cool, surfing ruled and I don't have 1 complaint . Surfs up dudes! I'm going back to visit and surf with her again next year. read more

Awesome !! Vanessa was just great. Super patient, amazing instructor !! My 11 year old daughter was nervous to try and now is hooked just like me ! I would highly recommend Vanessa's team for anyone looking for a patient, super talented, and knowledgeable surf instructor . Start working on your upper body strength. That paddling is no joke !! But so fun!! Thanks Vanessa !! read more

I just got back from a 10 day surf camp with Vanessa and I can easily say it was the best experience of my life. I'm 21 and I went to Hawaii by myself not knowing what to expect but Vanessa literally made it the best experience of my life and it wouldn't have been the same if it were some other instructor. She's an amazing instructor and really knows what she's talking about. I've never really surfed before but she taught me so much and I'm in love with surfing now. I would recommend her to anyone looking for surf lessons and just a good time in general. She's the sweetest person and is always making sure you're enjoying yourself and shows you to all the fun spots on the north shore. I can't wait to come back and do this again but I wouldn't do it with anyone but Vanessa!! read more

Did a semi private lesson with my 2 kids ages 11 and 14. Venessa did a great job of finding a good location and making sure they caught lots of waves! We enjoyed it so much we went back for a second session a few days later. read more

Had a great time with our instructor Vanessa. Took one lesson and then rented a surf board for a week. She was amazing. Vanessa would drop off a board and then pick it up when we asked. She was very accommodating. read more

Vanessa saved the day. I booked surfing lessons from another company and they didn't bother telling me they couldn't do it. Vanessa was accommodating and able to give lessons for 4 on short notice. Kids had a blast. Mahalo Vanessa! read more

Vanessa at Jetty Betty is awesome. We called her up and she made herself avail the next day - she even called us on the day and recommend we push back our start time because of the weather report. She knew the area and took us to a remote beach spot. She was very chill and we were in the water and riding waves within minutes. It was so much fun - totally made our vacation! read more

The worst lesson I've had in my life. Booked Vanessa for a two hour lesson for me and my teenage daughter. Met her @ Pueana point in Haleiwa which is crowded. She showed us one thing on the beach, we paddled out. She taught me nothing; turned me around, pushed me into a crowd, told me to get up. I fell, couldn't get back on my board. All she did was call out, "you ok?" My daughter paddled out. Vanessa turned her around, pushed her into a crowd, my daughter tried to get up; had trouble. Vanessa was busy chatting with other people. I was the one keeping an eye on my daughter. I was terrified for us. I saw other instructors in the water with their students close by, hearing them give their students tips. Nothing from Vanessa. Vanessa was so far from us. I asked her for a refund for my lesson. She ignored me. Blamed me for a broken fin on her board. Paid her $200 cash (even though she quoted me less; she never gave me the change). I asked her for half; she refused to return it. Will pursue. If you want to be safe in the water & Learn, really learn to surf, find someone else. Vanessa hasn't received a good review in years! read more

My 11yo and 9yo and I took lessons today from Chad with Jetty Betty. Vanessa, the owner, was very nice and got us setup for the lesson, and Chad was super nice and was great with my kids. It was a little rough so my 9yo gave up early but my 11yo did great and rode 12-15 times successfully. I got up as well but surfed when I was younger so wasn't too worried about myself. Highly recommended! read more

Vanessa met us at the Haleiwa Beach parking lot with spongeboards and rashguards for a private lesson. She gave us an on land demo, and we were out in the water in no time. Vanessa was in the water with fins the whole time. We basically did a looping system so that only one student was with her at a time. The other one would be surfing, then swimming towards her and waiting. Vanessa helped to pick out which waves were good, yelled out instructions to you (Paddle!), and steadied you as you pulled away. Now there were many other instructors doing the same thing. But what made Vanessa stand out was that she was all about safety. She had no problem in instructing (politely) to other ppl about where to paddle. You could imagine a dozen newbs all trying to surf and paddle all around this one little area...things got a little hectic. I was impressed that Vanessa helped to regulate things in a way that made things better for everyone so that we didn't all run into each other. I was a little nervous at first, but her knowledge, expertise and control put me at ease. If I go for another lesson, I would definitely schedule it with Vanessa. read more

We were blessed to receive lessons from both Vanessa and Mikey for our group. The teens and adults had an amazing time, and every single one of us remarked how wonderful Vanessa and Mikey are, giving amazing feedback and being really supportive. We surfed on a great beach, and all of us, from newbies to decent surfers, felt like they learned a lot and had a really cool time. Can't say enough about Jetty Betty! read more

Vanessa took both of us out for a 2 hr lesson --(first time surfers, age 45) and we had a ball! Minimal instruction on the beach. Then she set us up on perfect waves every time Low pressure, super nice. The beach was down the road from Teds bakery and barely marked. Never would've checked it out on our own. It was beautiful. Would definitely go back read more