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Oahu. It is the central island of the Hawaiian Islands. There are a huge number of spots on it, so here you can find waves for any level of board proficiency.

This surfing spot is located on the leeward coast of Oahu, in Kalaeloa (former Naval Air Station Barbers Point) in White Plains Beach Park. "Barbers Point is a nice, gentle wave," says Kekoa Uemura, a four-time champion of the Japan Professional Surfing Association and a master surfboard maker. "It's a little crowded here, but the wave is still suitable for beginners."

The shallow waters and the coastal reef reduce the waves, making the surf strong enough for surfing, but soft enough for novice surfers. Thanks to the rental of an excellent surfboard, snorkeling and bodyboard, as well as pavilions available for military personnel, the beach is often filled with families, but although the wide beach can be crowded, it is much less crowded than Waikiki. Positive: Monk seals sunbathing on the beach. Cons: Beware of random sharks.

Hawaii. The island is the largest in the archipelago. There are 7 volcanoes on it, among which there are several active ones.

Pine trees

Barbers Point

The Cove

"Waikiki has everything," says Aaron Gold, winner of the 2016 World Surfing League Big Wave Award, about this surfing for beginners. "Queens and Canoes is open all year round and offers very comfortable conditions for everything from long splashing waves to taking a lesson or renting boards." With easy access to the beach, these locations are two of the most popular vacation spots along the Waikiki coastline. Be prepared for massive concentrations of people in the water with varying degrees of skill who clog the line. You will definitely not be the only beginner cutting through the waves, which can be both a blessing and a curse (that is, you and your lack of surfing skills will not be conspicuous like a sore thumb, but due to the lack of these skills it may be more difficult to get out of each other's way). Be attentive to other people in the water and do not jump on someone else's wave, especially if you are rowing without a surfing instructor who will show you the way.

Just a few steps from the famous Pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach, there is a surfing spot, also known as Populars, which is a large strip of water that breaks off right above a sandy reef. "It's a really soft wave," says Uemura, who has been surfing since he was five years old. "It's a bit like rowing, but there's a pretty big channel - it's pretty easy to row. This is not a compact place to surf. There's a big area where people are trying to find their own corner to catch their wave, so they're not trying to compete. " Although a long stroke before a surf break may scare off a novice surfer, this big surf break in Waikiki gives novice surfers a little respite, which is useful when you first uncontrollably rush into a wave.

Aaron Gold recommends beginners to surf away from Waikiki on the North Coast from October to March, when the waves are not so big. "Puaena is great because it offers all the available levels of surfing from beginner to expert in one place," says Gold. "The way inside is perfect for surfing or for beginners, in the middle there is a soft surf of medium size, and outside there are difficult conditions only for professionals." This small sandy beach, located near Haleiva Beach Park, offers tree-shaded places to relax on the shore. Surfing schools are often visited during these holidays, and on weekends it is usually crowded, but during the week the area can be a relaxing place to learn surfing.

In the middle of the two-mile-long crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay is a sandy beach nicknamed "Pines", and it's not hard to imagine why: the entire area is surrounded by ironwood pines at the edge of the sand. Aaron Gold says that the Northside Beach on the island is one of his favorite places because it has a sandy bottom, waves break outside, and the depth reaches knee or shoulder.

"The best time to surf in Hanalei Bay is from October to March," says Gold, "but it is known that due to its location, there is an unusual wave out of season here." When the winter swell increases, beginners should proceed cautiously. For novice surfers, Nakoa Decoite recommends overcoming waist-to-chest waves. "It's a big enough place to push off well, but not too big, where you'll have trouble if you fall," says Decoyt.

"In Maui, I would say that one of the best places is Kihei Bay, simply because it is relatively shallow and there is almost always something to surf," says Nakoa Dekoite, a professional big wave surfer from rural Maui. Like Waikiki on Oahu, Cove Park is a popular place for beginners, and it is often full of beginners testing their balance and core strength in surfing lessons. Beginners do not need to row far to get to the surf break, which usually has a long and smooth turn to the right, but also breaks off to the left, which is ideal for novice surfers. Professional advice: in order not to hurt your feet, keep an eye on the baths (sea urchins) when you jump into the surf and come out of it.

In the heart of Lahaina, Boat Harbor has a cozy shallow inner reef, which is great for beginners during a small wave. "Lahaina Harbor is pretty flat and somewhat sheltered from the wind, and the waves don't get too big, so it's a good place to learn," says Nakoa Decoite. The popular strait is filled with surf schools and more advanced surfers on the right, so this surfing spot may be a little crowded. At low tide, the ocean depths may be too shallow, exposing the reef below. Those who are afraid of scratching their heel (or face) on corals may want to go for a walk at high tide.

This place, dubbed Thousand Peaks because of the many incoming waves both on the left and on the right, on Maui Beach in the western part of Ukumeh Beach, where professional rower Talia Decoyt learned to surf.
"We went there every Sunday and had a family beach day," says Decoyt, who has been surfing since her father put her on a board at the age of 15 months. "It's quite a long way to row, but the waves are quite soft and there's so much room," says the 2012 champion rower at Molokai 2 on Oahu. "As for me, if I'm a beginner, I prefer to stay away from other beginners, just for safety reasons."

When small waves start to seem like second nature to you and you're ready to take your beginner skills to the next level, Talia Decoyt recommends going on this beach vacation to Hookup on the north coast of the island. The infamous windsurfing destination consists of three different peaks - Pavilions, Middles and Point. The first and third peaks are more aggressive, with strong currents, and should be left to advanced surfers, but Decoit says the Middles is a good place when the summer swell brings smaller and softer waves and can be a good transition for novice longboarders trying to take their next steps. Staying on the board can be difficult, and defeat is almost guaranteed; however, according to Decoite, the more time you spend in the water, the better - you will gain more experience and learn something about the ocean and waves.

Queens and Canoes

Pops

Puaena

A thousand peaks

Breakwater

Middle