You have seen them in Waikiki hundreds of times … groups of surfers in identical rash guards bearing some surf school logo, dragging foam-topped blue longboards, or massive plumeria adorned rental surfboards. From the famous Waikiki “Walls” to “Rockpiles”, surf school instructors can be seen leading groups of first-time surfers into the great blue ocean. Happy, smiling faces paddling nervously out into various line-ups, unaware that their presence has become a source of controversy for some local surf breaks.

First and foremost, this is not about bashing surf students or placing blame onto surf school instructors. Surf school enrolees are out to enjoy their vacations, mingle with the locals, and learn a bit more about this ocean sport that we all love, if only for one hour or one day. Surf school instructors are people making a daily living with something they happen to enjoy doing, and more than likely have a strong passion for in their free time. Period. The goal of this article is to look at the effect the ever increasing industry of “surf schools” may be having on some of our already crowded surf breaks.

Most surfers in Hawaii, namely oahu, understand that Waikiki and the stretch of breaks covering the Waikiki shores are open to all surfers of all abilities. Most surfers are welcoming of the fact that this collection of surf breaks – namely Queens and Canoes – shall be, and often always will be, proving grounds for a mixture of south shore locals, island surfers, visiting surfers, and beginner surfers. The fact is that Waikiki is not a place one would paddle out into if they are trying to avoid beginners and surf school students. Quite the opposite, surfers know that these are the majority of surfers that litter the Waikiki surf scene, and will make adjustments for such a session. Even outlying surf breaks such as Pops, Paradise, and Threes have become a usual haunt for surf schools and surf instructors.

Surfers at Queens and Canoes have grown quite adept at looking for, watching out for, and navigating around surf schools … to the point that the all-too-familiar feel of rush hour on the waves is second nature. After all, it’s Waikiki … you expect to have lots of tourists and surf schools; it’s the industry’s bread and butter!

The controversy stirred up some emotion once surf schools started bringing droves of beginners into typically ‘intermediate’ or some ‘advanced’ surf spots. In areas where beginners are uncommon, let alone surf school students geared for 2 hour lessons with some typically unreal expectations, there is bound to be conflict and misunderstandings. Students and absolute beginners without the proper training and know-how of surf etiquette and surf rules become veritable speed bumps or road blocks to fellow surfers. Often times fully unaware of other surfers, as they try to master standing up on a board, beginners become a hazard not only to themselves but also endanger other surfers in the line up.

It is a given that we must all learn to get along in these ever-so-crowded waters, and we must learn to respect each others’ space and skills … the question is, who is going to start the ball rolling? Let’s follow up on this, shall we?

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