3 Things I Tell Every Beginner Before We Hit the Water

Every morning I walk down to the beach and I see it — that look on a first-timer's face. Equal parts excitement and nerves. Maybe they've never surfed a day in their life. Maybe they tried once and it didn't go well. Either way, before we ever touch the water, I sit down with them and go over the same three things. Not rules. Not warnings. Just the stuff that actually makes the difference between a frustrating session and one they'll be talking about for years.

1. Stop trying to fight the wave — work with it.

The number one thing I see beginners do is tense up and try to muscle through everything. I get it — the ocean feels big and unpredictable. But here's the thing: the wave is doing most of the work for you. My job is to teach you how to read it, time it, and meet it at the right moment. Once that clicks, everything opens up. One of my students, Ashish, caught his very first wave on his very first attempt. He didn't do it because he was an athlete — he did it because he trusted the timing. That's it.

2. It's okay to be scared. I'll be right there with you.

I've had students show up shaking. I've had people tell me surfing has always felt too intimidating to even try. And almost every single one of them stood up on a board that same day. Julia told me before her lesson that she'd been nervous about it for years. By the end she was calling it a 1000/10 experience and said she'd cherish the photos from her session forever. I'm not in the water to push you past your limits. I'm there to help you find out your limits are further than you thought.

3. You picked the right place to learn.

I've surfed a lot of places. Maui is special — and I don't say that just because it's home. The water is warm. The waves at our beginner spots are consistent and forgiving. And I know every break on this coastline. I know which spot works best on a north swell versus a south swell, where beginners get the longest rides, and where the energy of the ocean is going to feel like it's on your side. That knowledge comes from years in this water, and it's something I bring to every single lesson I teach.

"Philippe is such an incredible instructor!! So patient and kind and talented!"

— Kate Wright · ★★★★★ Google Review

If you're thinking about booking your first surf lesson in Maui, stop overthinking it. Come with an open mind, a willingness to fall down a few times, and I'll take care of the rest. I've been doing this long enough to know — there's nothing quite like watching someone catch their first wave. That moment never gets old for me. See you out there.