The serene waves of Hanalei Bay, Kaua’i provide a dynamic canvas for Hanalei Surf School, an entity ingrained in the local surfing culture and familiar to many who seek to learn the art and sport of surfing. Rooted in the community and the larger surfing world, the school, known for its association with pro surfer Evan Valiere, navigates through the challenges and joys of instructing novices and experienced surfers alike, amidst the bay’s picturesque backdrop.
In a conversation with the owner, Evan Valiere, Olivia Ruff inquires about the school’s framework and functioning. Valiere’s narrative reveals a personal and generational connection to the surf and the locale: “I grew up surfing right here next to the pier. This is where I first learned how to surf when I was a kid. I’ve been teaching surfing here in Hanalei for almost 20 years now.” The surf school demonstrates a notable commitment to safety and expertise, underscored by Valiere’s assertion that the institution is “totally certified, and all our instructors are lifeguard-approved.”
A core philosophy of inclusivity permeates through Hanalei Surf School, offering lessons that cater to a spectrum of proficiency. Valiere explains, “We see students who are very beginner surfers who have never set foot on a surfboard or even in the ocean sometimes, and we can get them up and going pretty much in their first session.” The school’s capacity to facilitate various skill levels extends to providing “beginner surfboards, intermediate surfboards, and advanced boards,” ensuring adaptability to individual student needs and progression levels.
The 90-minute surfing lessons are meticulously structured, inclusive of requisite equipment such as a soft surfboard, rash guard, and leash, and balance safety with a tangible learning experience. Valiere elucidates on a few salient surfing tips during the session, including maintaining an adequate distance between surfers to avoid collisions and the importance of vision while riding a wave: “When you’re surfing, keep an eye on where you want to go. If you look down, you’re going to fall.”
In an era where ecological consciousness is pivotal, the school also places emphasis on the use of reef-friendly sunscreen, advocating for a symbiotic relationship with the environment whilst engaging in aquatic activities.
The school, conspicuously nestled in the heart of Hanalei town, not only assumes the role of an instructional entity but also emerges as a platform that potentially bridges the vibrant, often challenging, world of surfing with those intrigued and enchanted by its allure. Through a myriad of offerings that span from initial instruction to independent skill honing via post-lesson rentals, Hanalei Surf School endeavors to be a comprehensive portal into the surfing world for individuals across various skill strata.
It’s worth noting that while the surfing journey commences amidst the enveloping waves, the essence of surfing at Hanalei encapsulates more than merely riding the waves – it pivots around immersion, learning, and a quiet camaraderie with both the ocean and the community that holds it dear, subtly echoed in Ruff’s appreciative farewell: “Thank you so much for pushing me into those waves and teaching me way more about surfing.”
The narrative does not simply document a transaction of services but quietly invites a gaze into the pulsating heart of a community where surfing isn’t merely a sport but is seamlessly woven into the tapestry of local culture and individual lives, revealing itself to be, in Ruff’s succinct terms, “the bomb.”