Hans Hedemann Surf School

What Hans Hedemann Surf School does

Hans Hedemann Surf School is a family-owned surf instruction business headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, founded in the mid-1990s by former professional surfer Hans Hedemann (world-ranked #3, 18-year pro career, featured in the 1987 film "North Shore"). The company provides water-sports instruction — primarily surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and bodyboarding — for tourists and visitors to Oahu across two beachfront locations: a Waikiki site in the lobby of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel (150 Kapahulu Avenue) and a North Shore site in Haleiwa.

The service portfolio includes group, semi-private, private, sunset, and multi-day surf lessons; group and private SUP lessons at both locations; bodyboard lessons; equipment rentals (surfboards, SUPs, bodyboards, cruiser and mountain bikes); HD photo/video packages with drone footage; gift certificates; and a premium "Surf with a Pro" tier at $400 per session. All lessons include equipment, a safety briefing, a 30-minute land lesson, and approximately 90 minutes of water time. Pricing ranges from $15 (equipment-only rental) to $400 (premium pro session), with group surf lessons at $90–$95 and private lessons at $145–$170 depending on location.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and one-time-transaction: bookings are made through the company's website (integrated with the FareHarbor reservation platform), by phone (808-924-7778), or on-site at either location. The customer base consists almost entirely of individual tourists and families, with no disclosed B2B or enterprise accounts. The company markets through organic content (an extensive educational surf blog), social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter), TripAdvisor (where it holds a 2019 Certificate of Excellence), and Korean/Japanese localized booking flows targeting international visitors. There is no proprietary technology stack, no disclosed funding, no M&A activity, and no parent company; operations run on third-party booking infrastructure and standard surf-school equipment.

Name

Hans Hedemann Surf School

Legal name

Hans Hedemann Surf School

Website

https://hhsurf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned surf school founded in Honolulu in the mid-1990s by former world-ranked pro surfer Hans Hedemann, offering group, private, SUP, and bodyboard lessons across two Oahu locations (Waikiki and North Shore) targeting individual tourists and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf and Water Sports Instruction

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Tours (Guided/Paddling Excursions) (THAJAJAF)

Keywords

• Surf instruction
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Bodyboard lessons
• Water sports training
• Surfboard rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Surf Lessons: Core revenue from surf lessons sold at per-session pricing. Offerings include group lessons, semi-private lessons, private lessons, sunset lessons, multi-day packages, and specialty sessions. Revenue is one-time per lesson rather than recurring.
2. SUP Lessons: Stand-up paddleboarding lessons offered in both Waikiki and North Shore locations, sold as standalone one-time sessions or as add-ons to surf packages.
3. Bodyboard Lessons: Bodyboarding instruction sessions sold separately from surf lessons, typically as 2-hour sessions.
4. Photo/Video Packages: HD photo and video capture services offered as upsell during lessons. Priced at $75 for photo and video from the lesson session, including drone footage.
5. Equipment Rentals: Surfboard, SUP, bodyboard, cruiser bike, and mountain bike rentals priced at $15 for equipment-only rental in Waikiki. Revenue from customers who want to practice independently after lessons.
6. Surf with a Pro: Premium coaching experience with professional surf instructors, priced at $400 per session. Targets advanced surfers and enthusiasts seeking elite instruction.
7. Gift Certificates: Digital gift certificates sold for surf lessons, available in various denominations. Creates pre-paid revenue and serves as gifting option for visitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hans Hedemann Surf School is a family-owned surf school in Hawaii offering professional surf instruction, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) lessons, bodyboarding lessons, and equipment rentals at two locations in Waikiki and North Shore (Haleiwa), Oahu. The school provides group, semi-private, and private lessons for all skill levels—from first-time beginners to advanced surfers—led by professional instructors with all equipment included. Founded by former world-ranked professional surfer Hans Hedemann, the school also offers photo/video packages, multi-day lesson bundles, gift certificates, and a premium 'Surf with a Pro' experience.

Product overview

Hans Hedemann Surf School is a family-owned surf school offering water sports instruction centered around surf and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) lessons. The company operates at two locations (Waikiki and North Shore in Haleiwa) and provides a comprehensive portfolio of services including group surf lessons, semi-private lessons, and private lessons (offering one-on-one instruction with professional surfers), SUP lessons for both group and private formats, and bodyboard lessons. Equipment rental covers surfboards, SUPs, bodyboards, cruisers, and mountain bikes. Add-on services include photo/video packages capturing sessions in HD with drone footage, multi-day lesson packages with discounted rates, and gift certificates. The school also offers premium 'Surf with a Pro' sessions. All lessons include safety slideshows, land instruction, and equipment provision. Founded by former professional surfer Hans Hedemann, the school emphasizes authentic Hawaiian surf culture and instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Lessons (Waikiki) Surf instruction at the Waikiki location offering group lessons ($90/person, participants 14+), semi-private lessons ($130/session, 2-3 people), and private lessons ($170/session, all ages, ideal for children 5-14, intermediate surfers, or beginners needing extra instruction). Typical 2-hour lesson includes technique slideshow, safety briefing, 30-minute land lesson, and 90 minutes of water time. All equipment (surfboard, rash guard, reef shoes) is included.
• Private Surf Lessons (North Shore) One-on-one surf instruction at the North Shore location in Haleiwa, Oahu. Lessons start with beach basics practice before hitting the water. Priced at $145 per session, available at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 2:00 p.m. daily. Includes expert instructor time and all equipment.
• Group Surf Lessons (North Shore) Small-group surf instruction at the North Shore (Haleiwa) with intimate, fun experience and small group sizes for personalized attention. Priced at $95 per person for 2-hour sessions. Provides instruction at world-famous North Shore breaks including Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach areas.
• Sunset Surf Lessons (Waikiki) Surf lessons offered during sunset hours in Waikiki, providing an evening surfing experience with scenic ocean views. Same 2-hour format as standard Waikiki surf lessons with all equipment included.
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Lessons (Waikiki) Stand-up paddleboarding instruction in Waikiki, a fun water sport requiring minimal skill that builds core strength. Offered in group or private formats at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 2:00 p.m. daily. Includes equipment and expert instruction.
• Private SUP Lessons (North Shore) Private one-on-one SUP instruction at the North Shore to build confidence on water and perfect stand-up paddleboarding techniques. Priced at $150 per session. Includes all equipment and personalized coaching.
• Group SUP Lessons (North Shore)
• Bodyboard Lessons (Waikiki)
• Surfboard and Equipment Rentals (Waikiki)
• Photo and Video Packages
• Surf with a Pro
• Multi-Day Surf Lesson Packages
• Gift Certificates (Waikiki)

Quantifiable outcome

• Guaranteed surfing within first lesson
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Faith Surf School Hawaii: Waikiki-based surf school offering group and private lessons for tourists and beginners. Operates in the same primary market with similar pricing tiers and a comparable direct-to-consumer booking model.
• Mermaid Watersports: Waikiki-based watersports operator offering surf lessons alongside broader beach activities. Comparable tourist-direct model with overlapping beginner-friendly surf instruction.
• Aaron Lopez Surf Academy (Surf Academy Hawaii): Oahu surf school providing beginner-to-advanced lessons to tourists and locals. Comparable format, customer base, and Oahu operating footprint.
• Big Wave Surf Shop: Oahu-based surf school and rental operation serving tourists across Waikiki. Comparable combination of lessons, equipment rental, and beachfront retail footprint.
• Kai Sallas' Pro Surf School: Hawaii surf school led by a professional surfer, offering private and group lessons. Directly comparable 'pro-surfer-as-instructor' positioning that mirrors HHSurf's founder-led differentiation.
• North Shore Surf Girls: Hawaii-based surf school offering lessons primarily on Oahu's North Shore. Directly comparable as a small, instructor-led surf instruction business targeting tourists with private and group formats in the same geography.
• Surf Hawaii: Long-running Oahu surf school offering private and group lessons across Waikiki and North Shore. Closely comparable service mix, customer base, and geographic footprint.
• Rainbow Surf School Hawaii: Established Waikiki surf school with beginner group lessons, private instruction, and North Shore offerings. Closely competes for the same tourist surf instruction dollar in identical geography.
• Hawaiian Surf Adventures: Oahu surf school offering lessons for tourists in Waikiki. Overlaps directly with HHSurf on customer segment, lesson formats, and direct-to-consumer booking motion.

Broad incumbents

• Turtle Bay Resort Surf Lessons: Large North Shore resort offering surf and SUP lessons as part of a broader hospitality and activities portfolio. Comparable instruction offering but bundled into a much larger resort operation rather than a standalone school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hhsurf
• Facebookfacebook.com/hhsurf
• Instagraminstagram.com/hhsurf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hans-hedemann-surf-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hans Hedemann Surf School