My wife booked a private lesson for my son and I (18 and 52 yrs old). We both had a great time on the water with Marco and Kainalu. They were great at pointing out what we needed to work on before each wave. We both were able to ride some waves for our first time out. Mahalo! read more

We booked a two hour private lesson for each of my kids. Marco and James were patient, kind, and made the experience really fun. I felt the kids were safe and in good hands. They towed them pretty far out, where it was less crowded. They saw turtles! One tip - our kids wore wetsuits (which we brought) because they are skinny and get cold. read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Paddling out - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was able to take surf lessons for the first time with my son. Their staff, Maddie and Amy, were very kind and knowledgeable about the different lessons provided. We took a 2 hour lesson with Dakota who was very kind and encouraging to the both of us. If you have to question whether or not to get photos of yourself during the lesson - just get them . I was entirely pleased with the photos and film that Tyler took of my son and I which made the experience 1000% times better because we were able to take a piece of these memories home with us. Dakota and Tyler were true professionals at what they do and my son and I felt completely safe and comfortable with them. I suggest not even looking at another review and just sign up for lessons here You won't regret it! read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We surfed with Ty Gurney Surf School originally, Pete was awesome with my kids. They loved it so much we booked again however... Marco was great with our kids, I just didn't love that we booked on the Ty Gurney website and ended up with someone from Ohana Surf Project. read more

Went for a 2-hour lesson with my twin boys age 10. Had the best surf ever! Totally epic. All the staff was fantastic. It was a special treat to get coached by founder Ty Gurney himself! After 1 hour, he had the kids doing tricks. I appreciate the push into small waves, which I could then ride 150+ yards - a lifetime high! Also the paddle out and back in help was terrific, since it's a loooong paddle out. Super super fun experience! Thank you, Ty and team! read more

I had an unforgettable first-time surfing experience thanks to Leo, James, and Amy! From the moment I arrived, they made me feel welcome, safe, and supported--even though I've never swum in the ocean before (my #1 goal was to survive ). Leo was patient and encouraging, James gave such great pointers on technique, and Amy was the sweetest on the phone reassuring and cheering me on. The waves were definitely strong, but they helped me catch a few and even stand up--twice! ‍ They said I had good balance, which I'll proudly hold on to. I may have swallowed a bit saltwater and even got a little motion sick near the end, but their kindness and positive energy made all of the difference. Plus--I got to see a sea turtle swimming right next to me. How cool is that?! Thank you for making this such a fun and memorable adventure. I left exhausted, a little "salty", but so happy and proud. You only live once--so try something new and enjoy every moment. I definitely did! Highly recommend this team to anyone curious about surfing. You'll be in great hands. read more

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Really hate to admit that I grew up in Los Angeles but have never surfed. Anyway, there is no time like the present as well as the cusp of middle age to try for the first time, so that's what I did on a very brief work trip sans children (highly recommend) to Oahu. Tanner was my instructor and was very clear, patient, and encouraging with me as I awkwardly tried to figure the whole experience out. Two hours later at the end of the lesson, I was exhausted but had experienced surfing on some legit (small) waves (and not just whitewater!), two thrilling wipeouts, paddling next to a baby sea turtle, several bizarre leg cramps (only at the end), and the shoulder workout of my life. Booking was easy too and instructions to find the business were straightforward. 10/10 would recommend! read more

My kids and I have been surfing with them for years. They take you out to surf waves that aren't over crowded. Great for learning and getting long rides. It's a great way for those who love surfing to get a lot of waves in a short amount of time. I highly recommend Ty Gurney Surf School! read more

My daughter (22) and I (56) had an amazing time with Brady and Kevin! We both got up and loved surfing! They provided guidance, fun, and an experience I will never forget! Having the pictures and videos is priceless. Definitely give it a try. Booking was easy and the experience will last a lifetime! read more

The entrance is on Kalia Rd. Super friendly staff. I surf fairly regularly, but wanted to get a lesson with my nephew. Booking was easy, and when I had to make some changes, they were able to accommodate quickly and easily. Gear is decent. They had us on 12' soft tops which worked out great. Our instructors, Nicco & Dom, met us at the beach. After a quick pop-up lesson and a few reps, we were in the water. They literally towed us out most of the paddle out to help save our arm strength. They got us into the lineup and helped with instruction and a little push-off to help catch the waves. They were nice, long breaks, which gave ample time for popping up. Super fun experience and great people. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to learn how to surf, for anyone looking to get better on the long board, or just for board rentals in general. read more

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I just want to say, "never judge a book by its cover"! This place doesn't look like much and it's not the easiest to find. But once you meet the people, you feel like family! The little lady at the front desk was super polite and friendly. Was very reassuring of what to expect. My videographer James, was super cool and hilarious and just a big papa bear. Dakota my surf instructor, nicest guy ever! Super patient and knowledgeable. Both James and Dakota were very encouraging now matter how many times I ate it. I can't recommend this place enough! Will always come here for more lessons and rentals! Thank you all so very much! Would give you all 10 stars! Worth every penny! Bucket list experience! read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Around the corner from Denny's! - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Dakota was an awesome instructor. First time trying to surf, and I rode a short wave on my first try!! I had a blast. Highly recommend!

tl;dr - Great place for first-time surfing lessons. Highly recommend getting a private lesson, or if you're opting for a semi-private, stick to 1 hour or else you'll be exhausted from paddling. Also, the raw video footage is totally worth it. My boyfriend and I took two surfing lessons here. The first lesson was a 1 hour private lesson; we each had a dedicated instructor. This was so nice and it made the hour so enjoyable. I was able to stand up and ride on the very first wave! The instructor helps impulse you so you can catch the wave, and then paddles you back out to try again, so you do very minimal paddling. We were feeling confident and ambitious after the first lesson, so the second lesson was a 2 hour semi-private lesson. For this one, we shared an instructor between the two of us. This meant that the instructor took turns helping us catch waves, but that we had to paddle back to meet him ourselves. It was a windy day, so paddling became exhausting very quickly. We were so depleted that we had to cut the lesson short after one hour. This made me appreciate the individualized attention we received during the first lesson. The instructors are pros, so paddling is a piece of cake to them, but having never surfed before my lessons here, I have a newfound admiration for the strength and stamina that it entails. We got the raw video footage for our second lesson and I'm so glad we did! The videos are an amazing souvenir of our once-in-a-lifetime experience. read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you're visiting Waikiki I HIGHLY recommend this surf school. My teachers were Dakota and Carolina, and they did a great job providing helpful feedback that got me surfing better in 3 days than I ever could have on my own. Treat yourself to some surf lessons my friend, it's the most fun you'll have on your trip! read more

Had a fantastic surf experience, thanks to both Harrison and Quincy! Quincy at the front desk was so helpful in finding the perfect time & conditions for my session. Harrison made it so enjoyable and easy to catch waves. Having a good instructor who handles the "heavy lifting" so you can focus on the fun of popping up and riding the wave was truly a valuable part of a great surfing experience when you have limited time. Harrison provides great feedback that helped me dial in quickly and effectively. Caught so many waves... we lost count! read more

Our 2nd time with Ty Gurney and another awesome experience for me and my kids. We did the 1:1, hour-long lesson, and my kids had a blast. They were with Tanner and James, and Nicco again behind the lens. Incredible job by these 3 to make sure they had caught waves, and most importantly, to have fun. It was a great way to cap off an incredible vacation on Oahu. Thank you for the memories. read more

Nate was a great instructor. Gave some very useful tips before and during the surf lesson. Great school for first timers and those needing a refresher lesson. read more

Perfect instructor! An amazing and unforgettable experience. Great vibes, clear instructions, and really fun from start to finish. You learn fast while having a blast. 100% recommend! read more

My husband and I had an awesome time surfing with Calvin! He had already been on the water for the entire day with back-to-back sessions but took us on last minute because we were leaving Hawaii that same night. Brought such good energy the whole time and was most definitely a highlight of our trip! read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My husband and I took a 1-hour semi private lesson during our vacation. We picked Ty Gurney because of their high Yelp reviews, but our experience was really suboptimal. First of all, I feel our instructor Blake has very little or almost no experience teaching. He gave very little instruction, at most 2 minutes explain things. He didn't even teach us when I should stand before practicing. When he finishes, I was like seriously that's it?! Actually, I overheard him asking one of his colleagues how to teach multiple times during our session. Additionally, we were unlucky that day and there weren't many waves for the spot they chose (I definitely see other spots along the Waikīkī beach with more frequent waves, so I wonder why they didn't do the due diligence to pick a better spot). Despite this, the instructor made little effort to remediate. I was expecting him to extend our session to make it up to us, but he didn't. We ended up only trying 3 times each and learned nothing in the end. 200 dollar and 1 hour time completely waster. read more

This is a well run, classy organization. I'm so grateful for how they handle things. I learned surfing from them five years ago, and I was able to help a family member be taught by them this time. They do an amazing job. read more

Amazing service and the people were so nice! The instructors were helpful and patient. They made our day very fun. Great time!!

Our grandkids had 1 on 1 instruction and they had a blast! The instructors were super nice and great with children.

First time taking a surf lesson. It was a lot of fun and definitely a workout! Shoutout to my instructor, Isaiah! If you're considering taking a surf lesson or have always wanted to try it, I highly recommend giving Ty Gurney Surf School a call. Booked a 1 hour private lesson online before heading to Hawaii. Process was super easy and quick. Finding the location was a little tricky because they are located on the side of the building closest to the beach. So walk around the corner of the Denny's and you'll catch them on that side. Super chill and friendly vibes all around. Check-in was quick and we were off to the races. Most important thing I want to say here is - having never done this in my life, I always felt safe in the water knowing the instructor and videographer were nearby in case. Another thing to note is that YOU CAN BOOK MULTIPLE LESSONS, lol - not sure why I didn't think to do that. There was another little girl who took her lesson same time I did, except she had been taking lessons for 6 days in a row. I definitely saw the confidence and results of her daily practice. Kudos to her and her instructors! Recommend getting the raw video package for the memories! Here's my experience: https://youtu.be/BSqk0FAzKjI?si=ME60pmD1InpcItt7 Thanks a lot TGSS! read more

We love TGSS, we are locals and my keiki surfs with them on a regular basis. It's like having a whole crew of responsible big brothers watching out for him in the water. Their office is also extremely communicative and caring. The location can't be beat - Waikīkī but without the crowds. (Not going to tell you which instructor to ask for because they are all great!) read more

My family and I truly appreciated your time and coaching! The photos and videos looked great! Family memories forever. Thank you all again! Show quoted text read more

Had a blast with Isiah. Very kind and patient, a born teacher. He knows the spot well and the crowd is very chill. You'll be glad you found these guys. read more

Two friendly strong guys gave my two boys (age 16 & 13) a great first surf lesson. Carried the boards to the beach, towed them out to the waves, and taught them how to surf. Was happy to tip them! 5 stars all the way! read more

Best surf of my life! Vacation made. Elijah is the best instructor, very knowledgeable and patient. Highly recommend!!!

It was kind of last minute booking a surf lesson for our daughter & fortunately, there was an opening for the time and day that we were available. It was easy to book online and when we called the office to confirm and ask a few more questions, they were helpful and friendly. We booked a private lesson and Sean was our daughter's instructor and he was helpful and patient and made the lesson fun. She was able to stand up a few times even tho this was her first time surfing. This was one of the highlights of our trip and she wants to do it again next time we are in Waikiki. read more

My kids (13 and 16) went out with Nico and James and had a blast! They both got up several times and rode the waves and wanted to go back a second time for lessons. Thank you Ty Gurney for your patience with them and giving them a memory that will last forever! read more

Our surf day with Ty and Elliott was the best day of our entire Hawaii trip! They took amazing care of my sister and I and made sure we caught some great waves. It was a bucket list item to surf in Hawaii and Ty and Elliott gave us the most incredible experience. We even saw a sea turtle. Can't wait to come back to Hawaii and take another surf lesson with them! read more

TLDR: I highly recommend Ty Gurney Surf School and would absolutely take more lessons with them if we return to Oahu. It can be overwhelming going through Yelp reviews for the many, many surf schools in Waikiki. After thoroughly reviewing the options and reading customer's comments on a few different sites (force of habit as a researcher), Ty Gurney Surf School was the obvious choice for us in terms of customer reviews, # of students per instructor, availability, location, cost, and opportunity cost. My husband and I had 2-hour 1:1 private lessons with Ty (LT) and Dakota on our first day in Oahu. They provided a brief refresher of basic skills and had us catching waves in no time. While not the cheapest surf school, I believe you get what you pay for, and lessons here were 100% worth it. Both instructors were really encouraging, provided constructive and personalized feedback, and were easy to chat with. My upper body strength (and pretty much overall fitness) have drastically declined since I last surfed, so it was pretty amazing that the instructors tow students and limit the paddling we need to do. It allowed me to catch more waves and avoid exhaustion/frustration. We had such a great experience that we pushed our flight home by a few hours, just so we could get in one more surf lesson our last day. Sadly, the water was really calm that morning (i.e., slow, tiny waves) and not the best way to end our trip. However, Ty and Dakota quickly pivoted, headed to other spots that were a bit better, and helped us make the best of it. We saw other Ty Gurney instructors working with kids during both of our sessions, and everyone looked like they were having a blast! Also, don't forget to put sunscreen on the back of your legs. We put on plenty but still got pretty burned after our 2 hr lesson. (or maybe that's just what happens when you live in Seattle and aren't used to sun anymore...) read more

Surfed 3 days with this crew! Amazing adventure and education, by day 3 I was completely exhausted, however, comfortable surfing multiple breaks around the entire island! If you want to learn to surf for the first time, or want to learn to surf Oahu breaks, you can't beat Ty Gurney! Solid instructors and support crew! Shout out to Elijah, Little Ty, Nico, and Aimee!! read more

My kids and I have surfed with Ty Gurney Surf School multiple times and we always have a great experience. The folks in the office are nice, the instructors are knowledgeable and work hard to safely get you on a wave. If you on the fence about getting lessons for you or your kids, stop hesitating and do it today. Waikiki is iconic for a reason, warm water, long mellow rolling wave, gorgeous backdrop, and overall amazing vibe. Pro Tip: Make sure you let them know you want to get video of the experience. James, the videographer, does a great job capturing the moments. He will surf right next to you to get some amazing shots that you will treasure long after the day is done. read more

This was the thing that made my vacation worth it. The guys are super cool and down to earth. They're good at teaching and really observe you and help you consistently make progress. Once you start getting the hang of things, they're down to just talk to you about life and cool bars in the area. It's a little pricey, but if you can afford it, I HIGHLY recommend getting your session photographed and recorded. My most liked picture on Instagram is from this session! read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Beautiful shot they captured :) - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Alex and Elliott were great instructors. Lauren was an absolute doll. Lots of fun. Stood for the first time

My 13 year old grandson surfed for the first time in Waikiki July, 2024 . The staff at Ty Gurney gave him confidence and made his experience very joyful. He was able to get up seven times - amazing job!! The instructor & team were so supportive and happy for him!! Can't wait to go back & use this surf school again!! read more

Recently both my son (9 years old) and I took surf lessons. We had a great experience. My son was not new to surfing but it was great for him to get in another lesson and reinforce what he's already learned and also learn some new stuff. I had never been surfing before and was able to stand up and ride some waves. Both instructors were really great and very encouraging. They provided the right level of guidance to make it a super fun experience. I would highly recommend them. We had Rhett and Elliot as our instructors. read more

Great school with amazing instructors. Booked the 2 hour surfing lesson for my 17 year old. He loved it. The Boss man was cool. The instructor Rett was awesome. My son has requested a board and is taking up surfing permanently. The instructors also talked to my son about universities, about life, just really taking an interest. It was great. Thank you!! read more

Ty Gurney Surf School - Rett with my son - Surfing Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii