Wind, Kite, Hydrofoil, or Standard? How to Tackle Every Surf Style in Hawaii

If there’s a better place than Hawaii to learn to surf, it must be in some other galaxy. Hawaii boasts crystalline, warm water, and year-round wave action. And there are many surf styles in Hawaii to choose from.

It is, of course, the birthplace of surfing — Native Hawaiians called it heʻe nalu, literally, “wave sliding” — and this water sport may date back at least 1,000 years. Olympic champion and ambassador of Aloha, the late Duke Kahanamoku (1890 to 1968), resurrected and popularized it in the 20th century.

If surfing in Hawaii is on your bucket list, there are plenty of ways to catch a wave. Let’s compare a few surf styles.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Surfing

There’s an old saying from an ad: “If you don’t surf, don’t start,” but in reality, learning to surf isn’t intimidating. With a lesson, even the klutziest newbie will be up and riding (small) waves in no time.

Expert surf instructors, available on every island and at or through your resort — including Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (Oahu); and Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui– help novices have fun and stay safe, teaching beginners on large, soft boards. Expect exhausted arms the next day, because paddling out requires muscles you didn’t even know you had.

Difficulty level: Novice and up.
Do: Wear a rash guard to protect skin and apply reef-friendly sunscreen.
Don’t: Go out into wave conditions that are beyond your skill level.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing came of age in Hawaii, with many of the sport’s early inventors and athletes, like Robby Naish, working on Oahu and Maui. Maui, especially, remains an epicenter of modern windsurfing, with world-class windsurfers making use of the stiff trade winds blowing off Hookipa Beach Park and beginner windsurfers enjoying Kanaha Beach Park.

Though it features a board, windsurfing is actually a form of sailing. To try this water sport, take a lesson with a qualified instructor through a company such as Action Sports Maui.

Oahu’s Kailua Bay is another great spot for windsurfers with all levels of experience, and while you’re in Kailua, make a pilgrimage to the Naish store.

Difficulty level: Novice and up.
Do: If you love to windsurf at home, reserve gear in advance of a trip to Hawaii. With the board, sails, boom, harness, and car rack awaiting your arrival, all you’ll need to pack is your swimsuit and sunscreen.
Don’t: Push past your limits. When you start to get fatigued, it’s a good time to take a break.

Kitesurfing/Kiteboarding

Harnessing the wind to pull a board across the water — and up into the air — kiteboarding is a newer, rapidly evolving sport that uses different equipment and techniques from windsurfing.

An intro lesson with an experienced and certified instructor will start you on the path of learning, but a longer series of lessons may be a better bet. Kiteboarding isn’t about physical strength so much as building skills and coordination: figuring out the wind direction while learning how to launch, land, and to power the huge kite.

On Oahu, try a lesson with Windward Watersports, or Sammy’s Aloha Watersports — founded by pro athlete Samuel Perez Hults.

Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced.
Do: Talk to other kitesurfers if you are trying a new beach. Even if you are an experienced kitesurfer, you can get advice on the conditions and what kite size will work best.
Don’t: Expect to go soaring off the waves instantly. Kiteboarding lessons start on the beach and build skills from there.

Hydrofoil

Hydrofoils are the shiny new toys in water sports. Picture an aluminum and fiberglass model plane, wings outstretched, attached to the bottom of a surfboard, kiteboard, or stand-up paddleboard via a mast.

Watching someone on a hydrofoil looks like a magic trick, with the board appearing to levitate above the water’s surface.

Using a hydrofoil requires a steep learning curve and can be dangerous to nearby surfers and swimmers, so it’s not something to try without qualified instruction. Wet Feet, in Honolulu, offers foilboarding lessons. On Maui, try Action Sports Maui.