Maui’s Best Snorkeling Spots

 

In addition to Maui surfing and stand-up paddle board, Maui snorkeling is a favorite of both visitors and locals. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii, Maui offers some great snorkeling spots with calm, clear waters, coral reefs, and a diversity of stunning marine life. You’ll definitely want to put snorkeling on your list of things to do in Maui. But you probsbly want to know which Maui snorkeling spots are the best? Well, here’s a list of our favorites.

Molokini Crater

A partially submerged volcano crater lies just off the southwest coast of Maui and is likely the most sought after snorkeling spot in all of Maui. Some of the clearest waters in Maui are at Molokini (often with up to 150 feet of visibility) making it a favorite snorkeling as well as diving location. As a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District where no fishing is permitted, Molokini Crater is home to a wide assortment of marine life including hundreds of species of tropical fish, manta rays, parrot fish, reef sharks, moray eels, whale sharks living amid a stunning array of coral reefs. Molokini snorkeling is best next to the shoreline, within 15 feet, and the best time to snorkel at Molokini is in the morning before the trade winds start to pick up. You will have to take a chartered boat from Maalaea Harbor to snorkel Molokini, but this will undoubtedly be one of your most unforgettable Maui vacation spots (along with your favorite Maui surf spots of course).

Black Rock at Ka’anapali Beach

One of the best beaches in all of Maui, Kaanapali Beach in West Maui is known for its 3-mile-long white sandy beach that ends in a wall of lava rock to the north known as Black Rock. This spot offers some great snorkeling with depths of up to 25 feet. The lava rock wall at Black Rock is home to gorgeous coral reef formations with a variety of marine life including Hawaiian green sea turtles, butterfly fish, porcupine fish, box fish, and an assortment of other tropical fish species. It’s best to snorkel at Black Rock when the waters are mild as there can be powerful currents near the point. 

Honolua Bay

Located on the northwest shore of Maui about 20 minutes from Lahaina, Honolua Bay offers an incredible snorkeling experience. This Marine Life Conservation District surrounded by rocky cliffs is home to an unbelievable diversity of marine life including a spectacular array of tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and coral reefs that just abound in these protected waters. Most of the marine life and coral are located on the right or north side of the bay, but be careful walking on the rocks because they can be very slippery. Honolua Bay is also known as a great Maui surf spot, especially when there’s a north swell, so the best time for snorkeling here is on a calm day. The famous Maui surf break at Honolua Bay is out on the far north point.

Turtle Town

Found between Nuhuna Point and Black Sand Beach on the southern coast of Maui near Maluaka Beach Park, Turtle Town, as its name suggests, is known for its large population of fascinating Hawaiian green sea turtles. The calm waters of Maluaka Beach and Turtle Town make it great for snorkeling along with Maluaka’s beautiful white, sandy beaches. A beautiful variety of tropical fish along with coral reefs also call Turtle Town home. See these amazing creatures in their natural habitat in the pristine waters of Maui.

So now you know a few of the incredible Maui snorkeling locations on the Valley Isle. After your Maui surf lesson or SUP lesson with Hawaiian Style Surf, check out some of these amazing snorkeling beaches and locations to see all the amazement that Maui has to offer beneath the ocean’s surface.

 

After Maui Surf Lesson Snack – Best Shave Ice Places

After having a great Maui surf lesson and experiencing the heart-pounding exhilaration of riding the waves all the way to the beautiful Maui shoreline. What’s next?  Perhaps now, you need to find some refreshment – somewhere to relax and refuel before you get back out on the ocean waves. To cool off and get a revitalizing treat, check out some of Maui’s best shave ice stands.

You probably have had shave ice before, but maybe not Hawaiian shave ice. For example, have you ever had ice cream with your shave ice? Or topped with sweet cream? If not, you have to try Hawaiian shave ice with ice cream and all the added extras!

There are plenty shave ice spots around the beaches we usually take our guests to for their Maui surf or SUP lessons. Here are a few of the best shave ice places in the area:

 

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

A short  drive from  your Maui surf lesson at Kalama Beach Park on Kihei Road will take you to Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, which is the top-rated shave ice store and restaurant in all of Kihei and Lahaina. Not only do they have a great selection of delicious flavors, but you can also try their “favorite combinations” flavors like Haleakala or Sunset Beach and add macadamia nut ice cream or shredded toasted coconut for a real sweet treat you’re sure to remember. Famous for their “extremely fine shave,” awesome flavors, and friendly Hawaiian service, Ululani’s is a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. They have two locations in Lahaina you could also check out if you want a cold dessert after your Maui surfing lesson at Ukuhame Beach Park.

 

S & Q’s Coffee and Shave Ice Shack

 

If you’ve worked up a little bit of  an appetite after your Maui SUP lesson and would also like to get a bite to eat with your shave ice dessert, check out S & Q’s Coffee and Shave Ice Shack at the Rainbow Mall on South Kihei Road. S & Q’s offers a diverse flavor selection (people rave  about the shark’s blood flavor combo with ice cream and haupia, or sweetened coconut cream, sauce on top). S & Q’s is also renowned for their smoothies, teas, espressos, and breakfast selection with waffles, bagels, and parfaits. They also serve a selection of delicious sandwiches for lunch. So you can stop by S & Q’s before you go to our Maui surf school in the morning and then pop in again for some tasty shave ice after you learn to surf.

 

Surfing Monkey Shave Ice

Naturally, we would be partial to this shave ice stand for its name alone, but Surfing Monkey Shave Ice does offer some flavorsome Hawaiian shave ice as well. Also located on South Kihei Road in Kihei, Maui next to Foodland, the Surfing Monkey has a great selection of shave ice flavors and offers complimentary extras like azuki beans, vanilla ice cream, and sweet cream. All of their shave ice syrups are made locally from raw sugar cane. How appropriate it is to try the Surfing Monkey after your Maui surf lesson?!?

 

 

Old Lahaina Shave Ice

Since you’re in the Lahaina area for your Maui surf lesson at Ukuhame Beach Park, stop by the Old Lahaina Shave Ice store for a refreshing and sweet treat. Try the passion fruit, mango, or pineapple flavors with ice cream. Then you can take a walk down Lahaina Town’s famous Front Street with its diversity of other great shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Or you could get back in the waves to try out what you learned during your Maui surf lesson with Hawaiian Style Surf!

Great Surfing Beaches In Maui

From all over the world surfers come to Hawaii to catch some impressive surf breaks. And the pristine beaches of Maui are pretty famous for surf and stand-up paddleboard spots, perfect both for those who want to learn to surf in Maui and others who want to test the full range of their surfing abilities. So whether you’ve just had your first Maui surf lesson or you’re an experienced surfer, you’ll want to take note of these awesome Maui surfing beaches.

At Hawaiian Surf Style, we often take our beginning Maui surf or SUP guests either to Ukuhame Beach Park in West Maui or Kalama Beach Park in South Maui. These beaches both offer dependable, gentle peaks of knee high to head high waves that are great for beginners and longboard Maui surfers. These Maui surfing spots are well-suited for morning Maui surf lessons when the winds are generally calmer and the waves are smooth not choppy. Kalama Beach Park also has a nice well-landscaped park area that’s perfect for having a picnic after finishing your Maui surfing lessons.

While you’re in South Maui, you can also check out the great waves at Cove Beach Park. Just off of South Kihei Road, Cove Park is a mainstay for longboard surfers. It’s also a nice surfing beach for beginners and Maui stand-up paddle board enthusiasts with its calm waves rolling in. There’s also a nice park area here too for those who just like to admire the surfers or have a picnic.

Ho’okipa Beach on the North Shore just outside of Paia is known as the “windsurfing capital of the world” and is also quite a popular spot for the experienced Maui surfer. This well-known surfing area boasts at times exceptionally large waves and strong winds, (especially in winter) causing it to attract world-class surfers, but due to this fact also, this location is not typically ideal for those just learning to surf. But you can watch pro surfers battle these commanding waves at a lookout point just above the popular surfing break known as “Pavilions,” which is the break furthest to the east.

Nearby Ho’okipa Beach lies another famous surfing location – Jaws – or Pe’ahi, Maui – about three miles east of Paia. This legendary Maui surfing break is where some of the best surfers in the world come to challenge, maybe not even each other, but some of the largest waves in the world. These massive waves can reach upwards of 60 feet during the winter. Often it becomes too dangerous for Maui surfers to paddle out to the break so they must use the “tow-in” surfing method where pro surfers are towed to the waves by water crafts and dropped off. Several ‘Big Wave’ surfing contests have been held here including the Red Bull Jaws contest. Of course, these Maui surf waves are only attempted by professional surfers, and they can be very perilous even for them. But there are nice lookout areas on the cliffs overlooking Jaws where photographers and other fans gather to watch these spectacular surfing breaks.

If you want a little milder surfing experience, Lahaina Harbor in West Maui is another a great spot for beginners and intermediate surfers with its steady waves. You can paddle out from the beach next to the marina and catch both left-handed and right-handed breaks.  After surfing you can walk over to historic Front Street in Lahaina and do some sightseeing or eat at one of the town’s delicious restaurants.

So after your Maui surf lesson with Hawaiian Style Surf, check out some of these awesome Maui surfing spots along the beautiful Valley Isle coasts, where novice and pro come out to perfect their Maui surfing techniques.

 

After Maui Surf Lessons: Great Places to Eat in Lahaina

Maui is known not only for great surfing, but also for having some great out-of-the-way places to eat. These sometimes hidden, culinary treasures of the islands are often best enjoyed after Maui surf lessons. You’ve spent some exciting times in the surf and now may just want to unwind or maybe refuel for your next round of Maui surf or SUP. Whichever the case, you’ll need to know where to find some tasty and reasonably-priced eateries throughout the island. So here are some delicious places you might try in Lahaina Town.

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

If you have a sweet tooth or want a delicious sandwich, salad, or burger after your Maui surf lesson, swing by Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop. Located before you get into the town of Lahaina, Leoda’s offers great chocolate macadamia nut and apple crumb pies along with delicious seared ahi sandwiches and scrumptious pot pies.

 

Pizza Paradiso Mediterranean Grill

Sometimes surfing in Maui may leave you wanting a little Mediterranean, (cravings can be a funny thing). Try Pizza Paradiso in West Maui. Located north of Lahaina in the Honokowai Marketplace, Pizza Paradiso was voted “Best Pizza in Maui” three times by The Maui News readers. This casual dining restaurant offers some delicious Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean dishes including their signature pizzas, Big Fat Greek Gyros, cheesesteak sandwiches, and chicken, beef, and fish kabobs. So if your Maui SUP lessons leave you famished, stop in for a specialty pizza or fresh hummus at Pizza Paradiso.

 

 

Lahainaluna Café

Going out to explore Old Lahaina Town after your Maui SUP or surfing lesson with Hawaiian Style? A great place to stop at along Lahaina’s famous Front Street is Lahainaluna Café. This local dining spot has delicious Hawaiian and Asian fusion cuisine amid a low-key outdoor atmosphere. Dine outside in a lovely Hawaiian courtyard while you savor their delicious fish tacos, grilled mahi mahi, Korean barbecue tacos, and crazy fries. Everything is delicious at this delightful Front Street café, voted second best restaurant in Lahaina just after the shaved ice.

Ono Tacos

Another nice place with local flare is Ono Tacos. This quaint little Mexican eatery serves delicious fish, chicken, pork, and beef tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other tasty authentic food. This small walk-up stand on the Lower Honoapiilani Road may not have much seating, but it’s well-known for having some of the best tacos on the whole island. So take a break from surfing or stand-up paddle board, and try Ono Tacos. But remember to bring cash.

Aloha Mixed Plate

Winning multiple awards for “Best Plate Lunch” in The Maui News, this little restaurant is known for its great Hawaiian platters, jumbo portions, and beachside setting. Aloha Mixed Plate offers tasty poke, coconut prawns, hoaloha poi, and kalua pork in an open-air patio dining setting with an ocean view. So, if you want to try another great eatery on Front Street, stop by Aloha Mixed Plate

So if you venture over to Lahaina after your Maui surf lessons, stop in at one of these great restaurants and let us know what you think!

Our Favorite Maui Surfing and SUP Gear

Maui surfing, what comes to mind when you hear those words? Maybe you think of the huge waves that surfers attempt or the stunning beaches of Maui. What about the surfboards? Surfing and stand-up paddle claims some of the coolest gear of all the Maui ocean sports. Carrying these colorful and artistically-designed boards across Maui’s shorelines can immediately create a feeling of excitement and thrill as to what the day in the Maui surf might bring. They are the instrument of a surfer’s symphony on the water. They can enrich the skill of the surfer. Over the years, surfboards have stood out as a symbol of this cherished Maui ocean sport.

So, naturally you may want to know what kinds of surf and SUP boards Maui surfers use most to develop their surf skills…Well, Hawaiian Style began their Maui surf lessons using a type of surfboard called a softop, made by Surftech, an innovative surfboard manufacturer over two decades. These surfboards are great for beginner surfers. Over the years, they’ve proven to be durable, very stable, as well as forgiving to new surfers. Surftech softop boards feature a soft EVA deck and rails for easy use and safety.

For our Maui surf lessons, we often recommend using 9 to 10 ft. boards for children and petite adults and 11 to 12 ft. boards for other surfers. This year we’re also using surfboards from the Maunalua board company for our Maui surf lessons. These surfboards that feature wide-bodied designs are also well-constructed, stable boards that are excellent for beginner surfers and those progressing to more difficult breaks.

For our Maui SUP lessons, we use paddleboards from Naish, which makes a good diversity of stand-up paddleboards for cruising, racing, wide-style waves, touring, and fitness as well as SUP paddles and gear. Naish also makes kiteboarding and windsurfing gear as well. Naish’s softop Mana series SUP boards have an excellent design and stability about them that works well both for beginners and experienced Maui stand-up paddleboarding enthusiasts.

Along with these amazing surfboards and SUP boards, we also offer GoPro cameras for our customers to record all of their Maui surfing adventures up close and personal. We use the GoPro HERO3+ Silver edition camera for both videos and still photography of our surfing lessons. The waterproof GoPro HERO3+ Silver features video resolutions up to 1080p60 and 10MP photos up to 10 frames per second with enhanced low-light performance and built-in WiFi.

These unbelievably versatile video cameras can either be mounted on the surfboards or handheld. The quality of video these cameras take is really awesome, and our clients love the awesome footage this cameras takes of their personal Maui surf lesson. See how the GoPro camera captures the Hawaiian Style Surf adventure!

To ensure they have a safe and fun surfing experience, those taking our Maui surf or SUP lessons can also use Hawaiian Style rash guards and booties.

Our surfboards and surfing gear are all part of a long tradition of Maui ocean sports that deliver an unforgettable experience to island explorers.

While we can say that learning to surf in Maui is epic and exhilarating, you’ll need to experience it first-hand to really see what makes Maui surfing so unforgettable.

Paia, Maui Listed Among World’s Famous Surf Towns

Named among the “World’s Best Surf Towns” by National Geographic was one our own here in Maui. The small town of Paia on the North Shore of Maui – with its population of just 2,668 – was given this distinguished title not only because of its excellent morning surf breaks but also because of its welcoming and artistically laid-back culture.

As the article noted, there are some “daily side-shore winds that shred the line-ups most afternoons,” but this often means less surfers battling for the waves. Beginner surfers, the article noted, should try the nearby Paia Bay. So Maui surfers can head out early and catch some nice breaks before the trade winds show up.

But the winds are also what has made this surfing spot famous. Paia is also known as the “windsurfing capital of the world,” beckoning pro windsurfers and kite surfers to Ho’okipa Beach from all over the world. And as the article mentioned, if you want to catch some other international pro surfers, stop by Hana Highway between mile markers 13 and 14. There you might catch a glimpse of professional surfers during the winter swells taking on the famous outer reef.

But while not being a “surfing mecca,” Paia made the list of awesome surfing towns because of the “artsy, eccentric vibe” found in this charismatic little town. A shopper’s paradise, Paia is packed full of unique and colorful boutiques, shops, and art galleries along with a blend of delicious restaurants.

Paia was once a bustling plantation town in the heydays of Maui’s sugar cane industry. Once it was even the largest city on Maui with a hospital and theater. The old Paia Sugar Mill closed down in 2000, but the town still stirs with local residents and tourists gathering to see the “the coolest little town in Maui,” as the town of Paia calls itself.

In Paia you’ll still find “remnants of authentic Hawaii” because it’s “one of the last holdouts,” Fodor’s Travel noted. There’s no major resorts nearby only gorgeous beaches with surfers and windsurfers alike, cute shops, and an artistic flare.

So after your Maui surf lesson with Hawaiian Style Surf, come over to the North Shore and try out what you’ve learned at one of the World’s Best Surf Towns – our little Paia!

 

 

Surfer’s Appetite – 5 Places To Eat In Kihei After Catching Waves

We regularly take people to Kalama Beach Park in Kihei for their Maui surf lessons. It has a beautiful beach and great waves for everyone from beginners and children to more progressive surfers. There’s also a pretty park area by the beach with plenty of room for a picnic.

So after their surfing lesson, many want to know where the best place to get some food is…because of course, surfing can make you work up quite a healthy appetite. And many surfers search for a fast, cheap, and delicious spot where they can refuel and be ready to take on the next big wave.

If you’re looking for a good place to eat after your lesson, here’s some of the best eateries we’ve found in Kihei:

Kihei Caffe. This little eatery is also right across the street from the beach and has a marvelous breakfast. A great local experience, the Kihei Caffe has a walk-up order style, after which, you grab a table and wait as your food is brought out. We like the macadamia nut French toast or their delicious cinnamon rolls. At times, there may be a line, but it’s worth the wait. And if you love breakfast or just get a late start, they serve breakfast through out the whole day.

Horhito’s Taqueria taco truck. This tasty mobile restaurant is right across the street from Kalama Beach Park in the Kihei Market Place parking lot. They arguably sell the best fish tacos in Maui! Prepared fresh, Horhito’s is an excellent value. They also have delicious salsa, carne asada, and pork tacos. Many of the locals frequent this delicious mobile eatery after they’ve surfed at Kalama Beach.

Stewz Maui Burgers. If you’re craving a good burger after your Maui surfing lesson, try Stewz Maui Burgers (formerly Stewart’s Burgers) right across from the beach in Kihei. Enjoy their gourmet hamburgers and fries in a casual open air patio atmosphere. Try their special burger of the day and one of their delicious shakes.

Eskimo Candy. Don’t let the name fool you. This has nothing to do with candy. It’s actually a delicious little seafood market and cafe! This little place and fresh fish market offers eat in, take out, or cook at home food. About a 5 minute drive from Kalama Beach Park, Eskimo Candy offers awesome fish and chips as well as delicious poke bowls. Open Monday through Friday, you can either eat in or buy some fresh Maui fish and seasonings to cook a meal at home.

Maui Brick Oven. If you’re planning to have dinner after your day at the beach, this little restaurant features fish and chips, pizza, pasta and more. One of the unique and often most appreciated features of this Kilhei favorite is that everything is gluten-free! So for those who follow a strict gluten-free diet or those who just want to enjoy a delicious pizza and fabulous dessert, this is the restaurant. There’s a tasty dish for everyone. Less than two miles down the road from Kalama Beach Park, it’s open for dinner six days a week.

Of course by the beach, there are also many great ice cream, shaved ice, and coffee houses to stop in at if you just want a quick snack.

It may be good to bring a little cash with you when you visit Kihei because some of these little eateries only accept cash.

 

Learning to Surf with the Best – Hawaiian Style Surf School

Thinking of taking surfing lessons in Maui? It’s something you’ll be glad you did because learning to surf in Maui is one of the most awesome things you can do. There’s an exhilaration you get by surfing that can’t easily be explained in words…you just have to do it!

The Aloha Surf Guide recommends that all beginning surfers have a professional surfing instructor to ensure they have a safe and fun surfing experience.

So if you’re going to learn to surf or stand-up paddle, going to a Maui surf school is best.

But why not just rent or buy a surfboard and go out on your own? Well, of couse you could do that but having an experienced surfing instructor by your side can save you much time and needless frustration. Why reinvent the wheel learning to surf the hard way when you can have someone show you the best board, the right surfing techniques, the best location? It’s well worth the cost. Learning to surf or SUP with an instructor is also the safe way. With an instructor, you’ll know beforehand things like: the safest location for a novice, how far out to paddle, the right time to stand. All things you’ll need to know.

So then why can we say that Hawaiian Style is the best Maui surf school? For several reasons…Hawaiian Style’s surfing team are all local professional instructors. These Hawaiian native surfers have spent their lives surfing in these Pacific Ocean waves. Thus, they know the best local surfing locations, how the local waves and tide act at various times, and the best local techniques to learn how to surf.

Hawaiian Style surfing instructors love to teach others this Hawaiian legacy and be a part of the thrilling experience that is surfing. For these native Hawaiians, surfing is much more than just a sport or a job…It’s a way of life. Having enjoyed surfing as part of the Hawaiian culture, they know how surfing embodies the spirit of Aloha. This passion for surfing is seen in their Maui surfing lessons.

Hawaiian Style instructors like Cameo specialize in teaching children and families to how to surf and stand-up paddleboard. Cameo has been surfing since she was about 6 years old.

“I love working with families and teaching little kids to surf because I know it’s an experience they will never forget,” Cameo said.

Hawaiian Style also specializes in corporate surfing and SUP lessons. Company executives, employees, and their families come from around the world to learn to surf in Maui with Hawaiian Style.

Along with amazing surfing memories, Hawaiian Style also offers surfing lessons that include the use of a GoPro camera. These waterproof, mountable video cameras allow you to capture every aspect of your surfing adventure up close and personal.

So take a look at some of the awesome, laid back surfing lesson packages that Hawaiian Style offers for individuals, families, and entire companies?

There’s nothing quite like surfing in Maui, and no better way to learn to surf than with Hawaiian Style Surf – Maui’s Best Surf School.

 

Surfing Etiquette for Your Maui Surf Lessons

As a surfing beginner in Maui, one of the very first things you will learn is good surfing etiquette. These basic rules of surfing are not only for your safety and that of other surfers, but following this surfing etiquette will also help you achieve respect from local surfers. With this respect they might also give you some helpful tips for the lineup.

Thus, for part of your Maui surf lessons, you’ll need to understand these common ‘rules of the surfing road’ before you take off for your surfing or “he’e nalu” journey.

Surfing Right of Way. Similar to driving, there is a ‘right of way’ that surfers must yield to when riding the waves. The first surfer standing or the surfer closest to the peak of the break has the right of way on that wave. Anyone else paddling out for that wave should stop. The surfer currently riding the wave has the right of way for that wave and the surfer paddling out must yield. This means getting out of the way whenever it is possible, even if it is into the breaking wave or behind the surfer riding the wave.

If you’re paddling for a wave and someone is paddling out toward you, make eye contact with that person and indicate your projected direction in reference to them.

Don’t ‘Drop In’ or Snake Someone. If a surfer follows the right-of-way rule this shouldn’t be a problem. But basically “dropping in” on a surfer means that you’re cutting them off while they’re trying to catch a wave. This may happen if someone further out on the shoulder of the wave tries to catch a wave another surfer is already riding or has claimed, thus blocking or cutting off the first surfer. This is, of course, very dangerous and very offensive. The surfer with the right-of-way riding the wave could quite easily run into the surfer dropping in. This could happen by accident so always stay alert to where others are around you.

Snaking is a more deliberate drop-in maneuver where someone knowingly, and often more subtly and deviously, paddles around a person who has the right-of-way and catches the wave they were going for.

Don’t Ditch your Board. It may be a little difficult as a beginner to handle your board in the ocean waves. However, don’t just let go of your surfboard. If you throw your board behind you in a big wave, there’s a good possibility it will hit another surfer, which could injure them severely. Even with a leash attached, there’s a chance that the leash could break or detach itself from the board. Put a great deal of distance between you and other surfers, paddling next to them, not in front or behind them so if you’re board does get away from you, it won’t injure others.

Surfing in the best location for your ability and skill level will also help you to have more control over your board and allow you to surf safely.

Don’t Paddle Into a Lineup. The right-of-way rule says that the surfer riding the wave has the right of way. Thus, if you are paddling out, it is your responsibility to stay out of the way of riders on the waves. Don’t paddle directly into or near a lineup. Always paddle out around the break in the channel so that you’re not in the path of oncoming surfers.

Respect the ocean, the beach, and fellow surfers. As with all basic rules of etiquette, you should be careful to leave a place the way you found it…picking up after yourself and not leaving trash on the beach or in the ocean. You should also respect fellow surfers, apologizing for your mistakes, and respecting their local customs and rules of etiquette for lineups.

By keeping in mind these few basic guidelines of proper surfing etiquette, you’ll not only be riding a wave in no time, but also have the respect of the local Hawaiian surfing scene.

 

Surf’s Up – Learning the Lingo of Maui Surfers

Surfing has its own life– its own culture and even its own language. In this Hawaiian sport, a style of slang has developed that unites its members into a surfing community. So to be a part of this community of Maui surfers (or at least to understand what they’re talking about), you’ll need to understand some of the basic Maui surfing verbiage. So check out the helpful glossary of surfing terms below:

Air or catch air – a surfing maneuver where the surfer and his/her surfboard gets airborne.

Aloha – greetings/farewell , affection, peace. “Aloha Spirit” denotes a friendly, easy-going, accepting attitude.

Amped – excited, full of life, stoked

An Den (“AHN Dehn”) – Phrase meaning “What’s up?” or “How are you?”

Anglin’ – Turning left and/or right on a wave; surfing at an angle across a wave instead of surfing straight toward the beach.

Bail out – To jump off or get away from your surfboard before a potential wipe out.

Barrel – When the wave has a hollow channel or tube when it breaks and curls over.

Beach Break – A wave formed over sand or those that break across a sandy beach.

Braddah (“BRAH-dah”) – Brother

Brah – Surfer friend

Blown Out – When winds are blowing so hard that they chop up the surf and make it impossible to ride.

Carve/Carving – Making a radical turn on or through the wave.

Channel – A deep spot where waves don’t usually break.

Choke – a big amount of something, a lot.

Curl – The part of the wave that is spilling over and breaking.

Cut-out – To pull out of the wave.

Deck – The top-side of the surfboard, the side you stand on.

Drop in – To cut in on another surfer’s wave. Not good surfing etiquette.

Duck Dive – Diving underneath the waves to get past breaking waves easier and faster.

Eat it – To fall off your board or wipe-out.

Face – The almost vertical front portion or surface of a wave where the wave begins to curl overhead.

Goofy-Foot – Riding the surfboard with your right foot as the lead foot.

Gun – A long surfboard made for riding big waves.

Haole (“How-lee”) – A native Hawaiian term for foreigner or Caucasian.

Kook – A beginning surfer who gets in the way or into trouble because of ignorance, or a wannabe who pretends to look the part but can’t surf.

Line-up – The place in the water beyond where the waves break where surfers wait to catch their next wave.

Lip – The top of the face of the wave.

Offshore Winds – When the wind is blowing off the shore, good surfing conditions.

Point Break – A wave that breaks on a rocky point.

Rail – The sides of the surfboard.

Reef Break – Waves that break over a coral reef.

Set – A group of waves. Larger waves will travel in 4 to 6 wave sets.

Snaking – To go around or behind another surfer who has the right-of-way on a breaking wave to get into a better position to catch their wave, forcing them to change direction and miss the wave. Cutting them off. Not good surfing etiquette.

Soup – The foamy or white water part of a broken wave.

Swell – Unbroken waves that move in groups with similar heights and frequency.

Tube – The part of the wave when the crest spills over the hollow barrel making a tunnel or pip-shaped wave; also Green Room or Barrel.