Big Wave Dave Surf Co.

Steph was awesome! Although I was stubborn, she kept pushing me to do better! I have never surfed so it was a little bit out of my comfort zone and the whole staff help me catch choke waves! My friends had a wonderful time since they were visiting. I will be back for more lessons since I live here! And they do Kama’aina discount!

Visited yesterday and booked a group lesson for this morning, shop staff were really friendly and helpful and made booking easy. Turned up this morning was made to feel really welcome, 4 of us in the group were given a quick 5 – 10 lesson on dry land on paddling and getting up basics then straight into the ocean. Teacher was great really encouraging and enthusiastic, all in all a really positive experience. Some of the other schools were offering very slightly cheaper (bout 9 $ after the Unilocal discount) but I have absolutely no qualms in recommending Big Wave Daves and will be returning later this week to hire a board from them.

I would highly recommend Big Wave Dave for surf lessons! We used the groupon and did a group surf lesson, and everyone loved it. The photo package is definitely worth it, we got a ton of photos that are really once in a lifetime. My only disappointment was that there was no video, as I had been hoping for that, but the photographer didn’t do it that day for some reason.
The lesson was thorough, and I felt confident when I went out. Having never surfed before, it was helpful learning on the land first, and not all in the water.
The instructors helped us know which waves to catch, and we’re super kind. Alika was SO awesome and friendly.
I would definitely recommend this so any of my friends. It is actually way easier than you think! I was so scared to try and surf but it ended up being super fun, and I am so so glad that I did it.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ for Big Wave Dave!

Awesome experience for first time surf lessons! Relaxed and laid back; actually caught some waves! We even bought the DVD of pictures because they were so good!

Yesterday we took a family group lesson (my wife, 12 yo daughter, 9 yo son, and me). We had a blast! They were so great with our kids. My daughter thrived with the instructor (oh I wish I could remember his name); wow! Today we rented boards from them for two hours. We had so much fun and actually kinda knew what we were doing (especially my daughter). If you have kids, go to Big Wave Dave’s. I can’t fully express how impressed we were especially with the kids.

Alika, the master from Molokai as I called him he was gentle, kind and patient knew everything there is about surfing showed me what to watch for in the waves. He made every minute enjoyable. Fun and safe felt like he was always watching out for us.
Afterwords high-​quality pictures were available for sale.

Booked 3 private lessons for 1 adult and 2 kids. Great service all around and the instructors were great. We all got up. On the water about an hour which was plenty of time as its a pretty exhausting sport. Recommend this place and the Unilocal deal took $ 30 off per lesson

Alika is a totally awesome teacher and I had an awesome time. Very relaxed experience, able to grasp basics right away and even though I was really worried about rough winter surf we went down the beach to an easy spot for SUP lesson. Even wiping out at the end of the lesson was great experience since you gotta learn how to get back on board. Highly recommended for a perfect Hawaiian experience.
Also photo/​videographer was very gracious about what I needed since I didn’t want their full package. Just talk to him beforehand so you’re not surprised. I was super crunched for time so he kindly dropped off my DVD for me at my hotel.

Amazing! Mahalo, Keyoni and BWD! Went with a friend and had one of life’s greatest experiences. Highly recommended, the other reviews are on point!

Surfing is something you have to try, simply because it is just awesome! I love it so much!
To start off, I booked a semi-​private lesson a few days in advanced over the phone. On the day of, we came about 15 minutes early to fill out some waivers and to get ready. They have a locked storage place so that you can store your belongings. Then you meet your instructor and your instructor will teach you (on land) how to get up on the surf board with a few steps. Pretty simple. This is a good time for you to figure out if you’re a «regular» rider or a «goofy» rider since everyone is «footed» in one of those stances. This will definitely help you out because I did so much better when I realized I am «Goofy.» Also, they allow you to rent those rash guards shirts for five dollars and I advise you to as well especially guys since apparently «it can sand your nipples off.» lol After everything, your instructor will be walking you to Waikiki beach, which is only a block or two away. That is pretty much the gist of it.
As for my personal experience, I had my semi-​private lesson with Alika! Such an easy going, super friendly and fun guy! He is such a great instructor! I was able to stand up and catch a wave on my second try (this was when I realized I am more comfortable leading with my right foot) and didn’t fall anymore. And it’s all thanks to those few steps that I learned beforehand. They were small waves, but it’s good enough for beginners like me.
Overall, I would definitely recommend Big Wave Dave Surf Co. if you want to learn how to surf. I’m not sure how the other instructors are (probably all are great), but I really like Alika as an instructor, so I do recommend him as well! I also recommend getting the photo package. The camera man got some pretty nice photos. I had so much fun and I pretty much rented a surfboard everyday and just surfed by myself… And I must say that…
I was getting better each day and was able to catch higher waves. Practice does make perfect and we all have to start somewhere, I started here. :)

The surf lesson was definitely one of the highlights of my first trip to Oahu! I purchased a deal on Travelzoo for surf lesson for two.
I made a reservation a few days before our trip on the phone and then we arrived 15 minutes before our lesson to sign some waivers. We rented some surf shirts for $ 5/​each at the location, just in case because we had never been surfing before.
The bf and I pretty much got a private lesson as the other two people at the lesson got their own instructor. Cody was a great instructor and made us feel comfortable even though we had no idea what we were doing. You have a lesson on land to start off and then you set off about a block to Waikiki Beach for the good stuff.
I’m happy to say that we both were able to get up and ride some baby waves! It’s thrilling! I would definitely come back for another lesson. What a great experience!

I signed myself and my two little boys up for lessons based off a recommendation from a friend and I couldn’t have been happier going with BWD. Troy was our instructor but Chris came along to make sure both my boys were safe. While having fun is why you go surfing, the guys at BWD put safety first which really put my mind at ease as my boys are still little. We had an absolute blast as the guys were super friendly and made us feel very comfortable. Alika was out on the waves as well with his group but he was always willing to give a push or some instruction if the other instructors were busy and he had some time to spare.
I can’t say enough how awesome all the guys were. I am definitely going back the next time I’m in Waikiki and have already recommended BWD to my friends.

Hubs and I took our first ever surf lessons with Cody and it was awesome! Despite the waves in Waikiki being a little small, Cody made our experience great and we both felt like pros… until we watched our videos and realized that we looked like complete morons on the tiniest waves ever! It was hilarious and of course, we purchased the photo session package and videos. Jason’s shots were pretty good and he cut us a deal for $ 60 because a few of the photos were a little blurry — usually the photo package is $ 40 per person for all of the photos and videos from the session.
We purchased a Groupon so our semi-​private lesson (just the two of us) was $ 59 per person. By FAR the best deal in Waikiki and the quality was awesome.
They also rent surfboards for $ 5 per hour (2 hour minimum), rash guards for $ 5, and beach chairs, SUP, etc. though I didn’t check out the prices for that stuff because we didn’t need it. They also have a big locker where you can store your personal items while you surf. I highly recommend them!

Neat little surf shop, a short walk to Waikiki Beach. Surf gear and rentals at a fair price. They rent and sell cool beach chairs (I bought one)! Folded up you can carry as a backpack, with a mini cooler and a pack for your personal belongings. Kind service. And it’s named after me. Lol!

My uncle purchased group surfing lessons for my boyfriend, my sister’s boyfriend, and himself using their deal on Unilocal,$ 69 for $ 99 and they all had the time of their lives! It was such a memorable experience for them! Cody was their instructor, and he was a very nice, local guy, who told us her surfed all over the world! How cool! Jeff, the photographer, got memorable shots of the guys surfing… and falling! Haha! Perfect for the scrapbook!
While we waited for them to get their intro to surfing, I was able to meet the owner himself, Dave! I commended him on the awesome website they have and how user-​friendly it is. Chris, the guy that works in the store, told us about the history of Big Wave Dave Surf Co. and their humble beginnings. He also recommended other things to do while on our stay.
This is an awesome company and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to learn how to surf! Also check out their deal on Unilocal,totally worth it!

Alika is the best! We had a semi-​private lesson with just the two of us and him. Being Australian, it’s a little awkward to explain that I don’t know how to surf, but Alika was awesome and make learning how to surf a breeze.
We started with a quick land lesson to get the form down for how to paddle, turn and stand up on the board. Then, it was down to the beach – we didn’t even have to carry the boards there, which is good because they were 11 feet long!
We paddled out and Alika gave me a bit of a tow. He stayed in the water and told us when to paddle and stand, but he was super mellow about it, not like some other instructors who were yelling at their students. On that note, the only downside with the lesson is that it is a pretty crowded beach. There were loads of other people all learning to surf in the same spot. That said, Alika made sure that we weren’t going on the waves that all the other people were so we could get a clear run.
Because of that, I managed to stand up on the board every single time! It was awesome and Alika was super helpful and just a really cool dude to surf with. I was pretty bummed when time was up and we had to ride back in.
We also had a photographer in the water and she was really nice and took a couple of shots and videos of us. I am taking a star off because the price for the photos and videos wasn’t ever mentioned to us until the end, and at $ 100 a pop it seemed pretty gougey. However, the entire lesson was a fantastic experience and I wish I had done it earlier.

Our first surf lesson that we took during our trip was with Big Wave Dave Surf Co. It’s been awhile since my sis and I have gone surfing so we figured we could use a refresher. We bought the Groupon semi-​private lesson for two and ended up having our lesson with Alika. Super chill, easy going guy.
We were originally going to have our surf lesson in the afternoon (everything was fully booked when we walked into the shop in the morning) but the waves looked terrible. Luckily, they were nice enough to let us re-​book for the following morning. Think morning surfs are the best way to go if you can swing it!
The lesson was good as Alika could tell that we both had a good grasp on what we were doing. We caught a bunch of waves and he helped my sister gain a lot of confidence. We used 11 foot boards so it was pretty easy to get up on (well, when you have someone pushing you into the waves, everything is easy).
What I didn’t like was that they didn’t answer their e-​mails promptly. I tried to set up a lesson for a specific date and their response was to just come into the shop. Their website does let you book online but for some odd reason, it doesn’t let you put in the Groupon code. Hence trying to e-​mail them to book.
We bought some photos from them at the end (my sister got suckered in as there was a picture of both of us riding the same wave). It’s a young kid that does the photography. The original price was something outrageous but we were able to get a more reasonable deal in the end, $ 20 for 20ish pictures. Also, they charge $ 5 to rent rashguards.
I’d give them a 3.5 stars but we liked Moku more, which is a block further west from Big Wave Dave.

Since i know that my days left in Hawaii are numbered, and I’m no longer pregnant, I’ve been super proactive about checking things off my Hawaiian bucket list. One of these things was to go surfing, or try at least. I saw a Groupon deal for Big Wave Dave’s, and we were also staying down in Waikiki so I figured this was the best time to do it.
If you buy a Groupon you will need to call and make your reservation with the shop, you cannot do it via online. I don’t recommend just showing up and telling them you have a Groupon voucher, because they do get busy and the classes fill fast. Just a little FYI.
So I was scheduled for the 10AM class, I arrive a few min early to rent a rashguard since I don’t own one. Tony came out and told me he was going to be my instructor. Tony has excellent vibes about him, he’s really encouraging, and laid back. He showed us how we were going to be paddling out to the break, how to stand up, how to turn around, and then we headed off to the beach.
Paddling out what the hardest part. It was far and if you don’t work out a lot or use a lot of upper body strength, then this might be difficult for some. For me, it was just tiresome. We then waited around for awhile for a wave that was big enough to ride to come along. Sometimes this can take awhile if it’s a calm day. Tony made great small talk and then was quick to tell you when to get ready. When it was my turn, I caught my first wave and was able to stand up and ride it all the way in… until a small child was in my way and it was run his ass over, or sit down and just turn around and try again. I opted for the sitting down to avoid running over said small child and we both avoided hurting each other. My second try out on a wave, I was also able to stand up, thanks to Tony for his encouragement, and I rode it till it dissipated.
So, I was 2/​2, not bad for my first try. I went back and returned my rashguard, I bought the touristy pics they take of you out there surfing for the first time, and I highly recommend going through Big Wave Dave’s shop if you are thinkin about giving surfing a try. I’d totally come here again if I had a friend that wanted to go out. I think it’s worth the money, the whole staff was rad, and they really do want to help you learn to surf while you’re out there.

For all my girly girls: *Disclaimer: no eyelash extensions were harmed in the making of this review (from surfing)*
Dude. I like, totally break the LA surfer stereotype, as I was born and raised in LA and still have never planted my feet on a surfboard! To make matters worse, I learned how to swim when I was young but have become afraid of the water as an adult. Submerge my face in water? Take in a deep breath and blow air under water? You know, swim!!! Uhm, ruin my eyelash extensions? All this to learn to surf in Hawaii? Like, totally!!! Now, which bikini should I wear?
Ok first things first. Saving the moola you worked darn hard to make. They have two listings on Unilocal.Same business, same location. The first one has a Unilocal deal — $ 69 for $ 99. The website advertises lessons for $ 99 so you’re getting a $ 30 discount. Even better though is the second Unilocal listing that gives a deal of $ 135 for a private lesson for two people.
After the bf and I confirmed our reservations (we got the private lesson for 2) and made our way to the shop, I reluctantly asked for the loser life vest because I wanted to learn to surf but didn’t really know how to swim. However, I also went through the painful explanation that I «forgot» how to swim and became afraid of the water as an adult. They recommended I went without it because it would be restrictive during surfing. They said if I knew how to get back to the surface of the water, or float, I’d be okay and just to tell the instructor Cody that I didn’t swim.
Cody said we’d be in pretty shallow water and that he would watch me carefully the entire time. He said he would be there if he saw I was in trouble. He instructed us on a surf board on dry land before he took us out to sea.
As soon as I got in the water, my petite body was like a rag doll in the ocean, being tossed and turned from every wave that hit. Thinking I was hot stuff, I wore a bikini that tied at the hip on both sides. I didn’t think I was so hot when the waves KNOCKED MY BIKINI BOTTOM OFF!!! Lesson learned and great advice to the girly girls, wear a very snug bottom with no ties! Being beat by the waves at shore beat my confidence in surfing as well.
As soon as we got on the board, I panicked. Cody told me not to panic when I fell off. Yea Cody, easy for you to say you swimming, seasoned surfer, you! Then he held on to my board and told me to let go to simulate what it felt like to be off of the board. Instincts set in and I came to the top and grabbed the board. Know that the board is strapped to your leg so you will never be far from a floaty!!! Confidence rebooted.
He tells you when to position yourself and when to stand. I actually made it on my feet on every run, although I fell shortly after getting my feet on the board during my first run. Each run gave me more confidence and I was standing on the board longer each time. I had a blast and Cody even took me farther out to experience even better waves. Cody was very encouraging. High fives all over! He did keep a close watch on me, when someone nearly ran me over, he was right there helping me out.
No need to bring the camera or the gopro (learning to surf is difficult enough by itself let alone trying to capture it) and besides they have an awesome photographer capturing your surfer moves (or lack thereof) but just be mindful that they capture the first few runs, so make them good! The CD was $ 60 for all the pictures.
Cody said the tide is very high in the afternoon. At 4pm we were at the peak! He recommended beginners go in the morning when the tide is low. Oh wells, next time! Cody has built my confidence and makes me excited to continue to learn to surf!

I took two surf lessons in one day: the first at Pacific Soul, and the second here. They are pretty different, so you may want to choose the one that is right for you. Check out my Pacific Soul review here:
Pro tip no matter where you go: WEAR THE RASH GUARD!
Big Wave Dave was a much more relaxed environment than Pacific Soul, which may have its pros and cons depending on what you want. The on land instruction was MUCH shorter and less complex. They teach you to jump up with two feet at once instead of standing up one at a time, and jumping worked much better for me. As this was not my first lesson (of my life or even of the day), it was plenty of on land instruction for me. If it is your first time or if you are very nervous, you may want more before you hit the water.
I caught significantly less waves than at Pacific Soul. However the water did seem flatter and no one can control the ocean to make waves appear for you (unfortunately!). Generally, the group lesson was a bit less organized and our instructor wasn’t ready to get all of us pushed off when a set came through. At Pacific Soul the guy was way more intense which lead to me catching every set. That said, I stood up and rode the full way on all 4 waves I caught with Big Wave Dave which was definitely NOT the case at Pacific Soul. It is much, much more crowded in the water here than Pacific Soul’s spot. It’s almost dangerous. There are simply more hotels and more people in the area — this was a major, major difference between the two.
The boards at Big Wave Dave are covered in a thin layer of Styrofoam which eliminates the need for wax and makes sure that it isn’t slippery at all. This made it much easier for me to hold onto the board and get my footing than at Pacific Soul. It does chafe big time though so that is the trade off — I have rug burn on my knees and inner thighs. Ouch.
Big Wave Dave is also a couple of blocks from the water, so you will need to walk to the beach once you pay and get your on land lesson. They bring the boards for you so that it is very easy.