Oahu surf instructor creates welcoming space for women learning to surf
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thinking of catching your first wave? One Hawaii surf instructor is creating a welcoming space for women and girls to build confidence in the ocean.
Hella of Hella Surf Hawaii joined Sunrise Sunday morning to share how she helps beginners feel safe in the water — and how you can get involved.
“After getting past my own fears, I wanted to create a welcoming, safe space for every woman to experience that in the same way – to build confidence and a connection with the ocean,” Hella said, who learned to surf as an adult.
Born in Alabama to an Ecuadorian mother and American father, Hella grew up bilingual in a homeschool household focused on the arts — training as a pianist and ballerina before earning a degree in exercise science.
She first visited O‘ahu in 2019 and moved to the island in 2021, falling in love with the ocean while working at a local hostel.
She went on to work as a deckhand and lifeguard on private charters, then in Ocean Safety at Ko Olina’s Lagoon 1 guiding sailing and snorkel tours on a traditional Hawaiian canoe before founding Hella Surf Hawaii.
Currently working as a licensed registered behavior technician working with keiki and young adults in Honolulu while pursuing her master’s to become a board certified behavior analyst, Hella founded Hella Surf Hawaii to create a safe, judgment-free space for beginners — especially young women traveling solo.
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Bilingual in Spanish and English and trained in CPR and AED, she offers hands-on coaching from board selection to surf etiquette to catching that first wave.
“Nobody likes being yelled at, so I find the easiest way is just to observe who’s around you and really just take your time,” Hella said.
Introductory lessons start at two hours, as her school aims to make surfing approachable and pressure-free, tailoring to how each student learns.
She encourages anyone curious about surfing to take a first step, regardless of experience level.
“Its not a race, and there’s enough waves for everybody out there,” she said.
Visit hellasurfhawaii.com to learn more and get in touch to start your surfing journey today.
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