# North Shore Surf Girls

> Founded by women in 2005, taught for everyone. North Shore Surf Girls is a surf school on Oahu's North Shore offering beginner-friendly group, private, family, and specialty surf lessons in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Every instructor is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard. Open to men, women, couples, families, kids, and corporate groups.

North Shore Surf Girls (NSSG) was founded by women in 2005 on Oahu's North Shore and is one of the longest-running, locally owned surf schools in Haleiwa. Every lesson is taught by an American Red Cross certified lifeguard who acts as the in-water lifeguard for their own students - not a separate guard on the beach, but the instructor in the water with you. All equipment (surfboard, rashguard) is included. Lessons run year-round at Puaena Point, Chun's Reef, and other calm beginner-friendly North Shore breaks. Visitors come from across the U.S. mainland - particularly California (San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego) - and Canada (Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary) for direct-flight winter and spring-break escapes.

## Key facts

- Founded: 2005
- Location: Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii (North Shore)
- Founder: Carol Philips
- Instructor credential: every instructor is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard, on every lesson
- Equipment included: surfboard and rashguard
- Booking: live availability and instant confirmation
- Audience: men, women, couples, families, kids, corporate and large groups - founded by women, taught for everyone
- Optional women-only lessons available for guests who prefer that setting

## Pricing

All prices are per person unless noted, and are quoted BEFORE tax and fees (Hawaii GET 4.712% plus a $1.00 ocean-use fee are added at checkout).

| Lesson | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Group surf lesson | 1 hr / 1.5 hr / 2 hr | $65.95 / $79.95 / $89.95 |
| Semi-private surf lesson | 1 hr / 1.5 hr / 2 hr | $119.95 / $149.95 / $189.95 |
| Private surf lesson | 1 hr / 1.5 hr / 2 hr | $149.95 / $189.95 / $225.95 |
| Private family / private group (3+ guests) | 1.5 hr | $119.95 |
| Tandem special surf lesson | 1 hr | $159.95 |
| Surf lesson & turtle tour | 3 hr | $189.95 |
| Sunset BBQ & surf lesson | package | $249.95 |
| River turtle tour & SUP lesson | 1.5 hr | $79.95-$149.95 |
| SUP rental | 2.5 hr | $40.00 |

## Age eligibility

- Group surf lessons: ages 8 and up. No upper age limit.
- Private, semi-private, private family and turtle tour: ages 5 and up.
- Tandem surf lesson: recommended for ages 2 to 8. The child rides the board with an instructor, so no swimming ability is required. Older or nervous keiki are welcome.
- Sunset BBQ & surf lesson: ages 2 and up - tandem instructors are provided as needed for keiki under 5.
- SUP rental and river turtle tour: ages 8 and up.

Children under 5 who want to surf are booked into the tandem lesson, where an instructor rides the board with them.

## About

- [About North Shore Surf Girls](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/about-us/): The story of NSSG, our founders, our instructors, and our values.
- [Contact](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/contact/): Address, phone, email, hours, and booking inquiries.

## Surf lessons and experiences

- [All surf lesson options](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/surf-lessons-oahu/): Full menu of surf lessons on Oahu's North Shore.
- [Group surf lessons](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/group-surf-lessons/): Beginner-friendly group surf lessons in 1, 1.5 and 2-hour options. Small groups, American Red Cross certified lifeguard instructors, all equipment included. Ages 8+. From $65.95.
- [Private and semi-private surf lessons](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/private-semi-private-surf-lessons/): One-on-one or one-on-two instruction. 1, 1.5, or 2-hour options. Ages 5+. From $119.95.
- [Private family surf lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/family-private-surf-lesson/): 1.5-hour private lesson for families and groups of 3 or more, no upper age limit. Ages 5+. $119.95 per person.
- [Women's surf lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/womens-surf-lesson/): Optional women-only group lesson for guests who prefer that setting.
- [Tandem special surf lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/1-hour-tandem-special-surf-lesson/): One-hour tandem lesson - your keiki rides the board with an instructor. Recommended ages 2-8. $159.95.
- [Exclusive large group surf lessons (10+ guests)](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/exclusive-large-group-surf-lessons-10-guests/): Corporate retreats, bachelor/bachelorette groups, and family reunions.
- [Surf lesson & turtle tour](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/turtle-tour-and-surf/): 3-hour combined Hawaiian green sea turtle tour and surf lesson, shave ice included. Ages 5+. $189.95 per person.
- [Sunset BBQ and surf lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/sunset-bbq-surf-lesson/): Evening surf lesson followed by a beach BBQ. Ages 2+. $249.95.
- [SUP rental](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/sup-rental/): Stand-up paddleboard rentals on the North Shore. $40.00.
- [River turtle tour and SUP lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/river-turtle-tour-and-sup-lesson/): SUP lesson and Anahulu River turtle viewing.

## Locations

- [Chun's Reef](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/chuns-beach/): One of the North Shore's classic beginner-friendly breaks. Nearest lifeguard tower: 30A.
- Puaena Point: A calm, sandy-bottom beginner break in Haleiwa, Oahu.
- Haleiwa Alii Beach Park: Historic heart of the North Shore surf community. Lifeguard tower 31.

## FAQ

- Do I need to know how to swim? Comfort in the water helps, but beginners are welcome. Your instructor is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard and stays in the water with you. Tandem lessons require no swimming ability at all.
- Is this only for women? No. North Shore Surf Girls was founded by women in 2005, and that story is part of who we are - but lessons are taught for everyone. Roughly half our students are men, and many bookings are couples, families and mixed groups. A women-only option is available for guests who prefer it.
- What's included? Surfboard, rashguard, and instruction. T-shirts and rash guards are available to purchase at checkout.
- What should I bring? Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, and water.
- What if the surf is too big or the weather turns? Lessons are rescheduled or refunded - see the cancellation and refund policy.
- Booking, group sizes, cancellation policy and weather guarantees are answered in full on the individual lesson pages.

## Booking

- [Book a surf lesson](https://northshoresurfgirls.com/surf-lessons-oahu/): Live booking with real-time availability and instant confirmation.

## Trust signals

- Locally owned and operating on Oahu's North Shore since 2005.
- Every instructor is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard and serves as the in-water lifeguard for their own students.
- Founded by women, taught for everyone - open to men, women, couples, families, kids, and corporate groups.
- Small group sizes and beginner-specific breaks chosen for conditions, not convenience.

Last updated: 2026-09-18