WARNING:  a two-hour lesson from the Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina Maui will change your life forever.  Your new motto will become “no worries,” and you will not want to go home, you will never want to go to work again, you will forever remember the exhilaration of the best ride mother nature has to offer. It is guaranteed that you will stand up and ride at least one wave during your lesson but the hook is that you will never be able to look at the ocean the same way again.

The lesson starts with a quick check in at head quarters where the friendly staff outfits all pupils with reef shoes, rash guard shirts and a soft-top long board. Our group of 3 was off to the beach for a lesson on safety, ocean awareness and surfing fundamentals. The instructor was very knowledgeable and his friendly laid back banter left us confident and itching to get in the water. A quick paddle out to the surf zone and it was time too see what we learned.

With loved ones watching from the breakwater, I practiced wiping out for about a half hour while my long board got used to my clumsiness. With helpful hints from my instructor eventually I was on my feet and learning to make slow turns. I had always wondered why surfers never ride waves all the way into the beach and figured out the hard way during a nice long paddle back to the surf zone.

With about 15-20 chances to stand up and catch a wave I was bound and determined to get on my feet and do this.  Realizing that this is the very same Pacific as at home, I know that the 52 degree waters on the central coast of CA will be tempting me but for sure clad in a full body wetsuit.  Time was up way too early and I am ready to rent a board and get back in the water at the next chance possible.

I was impressed with the professional instruction (thanks Michael) which stressed the importance of awareness, a sense of balance and allowing yourself to become one with the surroundings. Check out their web-site www.goofyfootsurfschool.com/ for all the details and to see that the $65 fee is nothing compared to the experience,  as well as an interesting biography of the CEO Tim Sherer. I’m so proud of my Surf School Certificate I received, I’m thinking of putting it in a frame next to my engineering license on the wall at work.  Can’t wait to take the kids, wife, parents, friends or anyone willing to go with me to Goofy Foot Surf School on my next visit to Maui.

Thanks to my husband who had this amazing opportunity to take a lesson and write this post.  We received a discounted rate in exchange for review.  All experiences are his tried and true experience.