Surfing

Surfing - Teen Snorkeling and Surf Camp

Learn to snorkel with the sea turtle (‘Honu’ in Hawaiian) and how to surf where surfing was born - Hawaii! Alpengirl offers surfing and snorkeling to girls at summer camp off the beaches of the big island of Hawaii.

Learning to Surf on the Big Island - Hawai'i

Surfing

Surfing happens with Alpengirl’s outfitter Surfer Bear who is known all around the island for his excellent safety record and amazing talents with engaging and fun surf instruction for beginners. At a beginner surf spot in Kona, surf lessons will introduce us to ‘pop-ups,’ ocean safety, tides, and currents.  Before entering the ocean we’ll be equipped with rash guards and booties and will learn how to paddle our board out to the waves and how to stand up on the surfboard.  Once in the ocean we’ll practice paddling and pushes to instill balance. On the easiest waves, lessons continue with duck/turtle diving, how to ‘catch a wave,’ and wave riding technique.  You will become comfortable on the surfboard before paddling into the waves, where you will be encouraged to discriminately choose your waves, paddle efficiently enough to catch them, and ride the base of the wave with a certain degree of awareness and confidence. The experience you take away with you can be greatly rewarding.  These lessons are designed to help you become a competent surfer, even if you are not successful in riding a big wave. To go surfing, you should be able and comfortable swimming in water five feet deep or more.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a relaxing and easy way to access one of nature's most marvelous realms, and the ocean remains one of the best arenas for exercising our sense of discovery.  The Big Island’s coast has some of the most spectacular and healthiest reefs of the Hawaiian islands.  As the youngest island in the chain, the reefs here are still growing, producing more animal life everyday! Alpengirl rents snorkeling gear (masks, snorkels, fins) and we get the chance to snorkel in a couple of beautiful ocean coastline spots in calm, protected waters without currents.  Your camp guides talk about how to use your snorkeling gear properly, how and where to snorkel, and rules and etiquette for wildlife observance in the ocean.  Snorkeling is a serene experience to watch and appreciate the beauty of the reefs and the animals.  We are very respectful of all ocean creatures: coral, sea urchins, parrot fish, and turtles, so while observing their magnificence, we won’t touch the animals or coral.