1. Surfing with Firefighters

Many of our instructors are members of the Honolulu Fire Department and hold certifications in safety and life preservation. Among these are; CPR, First Responder, Open Water Rescue, ect. In addition, our profession requires a high level of physical strength and conditioning in order to function safely. Instructors are also extremely familiar with the ocean environment in Hawaii and are very comfortable in conditions others might find harrowing. In essence, a Hawaiian Fire instructor is the most knowledgeable, competent and credentialed surf instructor anywhere in the world!

2. Safety Equipment

Your safety is the controlling factor in every facet of our operation. We try to mitigate some inherent dangers by providing state-of-the-art instructional equipment. We use only soft foam/rubber surfboards, which dramatically reduce the potential for injury. Unlike traditional fiberglass boards, these are extremely safe and will not cause puncture or laceration wounds. Also, we outfit each student with rubber soled reef walkers. These water shoes prevent injuries that might occur from kicking the reef. In addition, all students wear a lycra “rash guard” or surf shirt. Not only will these garments protect your front torso area from friction rash, they are also excellent in keeping the brutal Hawaiian sun off your back. Leashes are also standard equipment that will keep you tethered to your board. This not only prevents the need for you to chase your loose surfboard, but also keeps the area clear of errant boards that may collide with other surfers.

3. Seclusion

The biggest impact on the number of surfer injuries is the crowd factor. When more surfers are in the water, the potential for injury increases. This is especially true for resort areas like Waikiki where a large number of novice surfers congregate. This coupled with the predominant use of fiberglass surfboards creates a recipe for potential disaster. A Hawaiian Fire student enjoys not only the tranquility of a secluded beach, but the controlled environment the instructors are able to create. With absolutely no one else in the water, we are able to fully concentrate on providing the safest surfing experience possible. Think about it. Would you rather learn in a crowded, sometimes hostile, usually dangerous environment where the threat of injury is very real? Or would you prefer an atmosphere where safety is supreme, the surroundings are spectacular and your instructors are among the worlds elite? We think we know your answer!

4. Perfect Beach for Instruction

Our beach on Oahu’s Southwest coast is the best beach for surfing instruction on the island. Aside from the seclusion, the area combines all the attributes you want when teaching the sport of surfing. First, the wave activity is among the most consistent on the island. In over 10 years of providing this surfing experience, we’ve had to cancel our tour only a handful of times due to lack of waves. On the other hand, we’ve never had to cancel due to large waves causing unsafe conditions. A barrier reef approximately 1 mile offshore breaks down any large swell and reduces it to perfect sized instructional waves. Secondly, the bottom configuration is a combination of reef and sand, which stays relatively flat. No large coral heads protrude out that would cause a dangerous condition. The depth of the water ranges from waist to shoulder high which allows a more comforting environment for the mediocre swimmer. In addition, no undertows, rip tides or strong currents exist at our beach. Folks, it just doesn’t get any better than this!

5. Pride in who we are and what we do

Aside from all the certifications and safety equipment and perfect beach, what will keep you safe while learning the sport of surfing is the passion and enthusiasm in which we teach. We are proud to share our heritage as surfers and our training as firefighters. We take the responsibility of your well-being, both mentally and physically, very seriously and view that as the most important element of our time spent with you.