photo - a surf instructor team on a sunset surfing session

 

 

HAWAII SURF TEAM

Less Work / More Surf

 

On a typical day at our office, you’ll find us in board shorts, slippers, and the optional t-shirt. The only long sleeves you’ll find here are on our rash guards. We’re experienced surf instructor professionals. We’re CPR certified. We’re experts at serious fun.

 

ABOUT_Team-Jojo3

Joanne “Jojo” Howard   |   Founder / Surf Instructor

Joanne “Jojo” Howard was raised on Oahu and, like many local kids, developed her love for surfing at a young age. She loved it so much, she started a surf club while attending Saint Francis School. While she tackled her Bachelor’s of Science in Business, a well-timed business and culture course took her overseas for the first time, sparking a desire to travel and meet new people.

Jojo has since traveled around the world, working in Europe, teaching in South America, and volunteering in Africa. Currently even serving on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization Peace by Piece to aid children in developing countries. Her love of people kept her traveling, but her love of surf eventually brought her back home to Hawaii, becoming surf guide on the island of Oahu. She’s made the beach her office for 20 years now, starting her own business with Gone Surfing Hawaii in 2010. She gathered a team of some of the best surf instructor experts in Hawaii.

Favorite Surf Spots:

  • Tongs
  • Sandbar

Favorite Board Style:

  • Anything over 9 feet.

Best Surf Instructor / Founder Job Perks:

  • Meeting new people
  • Getting people excited about something they thought they may never do, it never gets old seeing the excitement of someone standing for the first time and catching their first wave
  • Learning about the ocean/tides/winds from the older beach boys
  • Having an extended family on the beach

 

ABOUT_Team-Brad2

Brad Thomas   |   Manager / Surf Instructor / Photographer

When asked where he’s from, instructor Brad Thomas will tell you that he grew up on the gulf coast of Florida. He’ll also add that, unfortunately, Clearwater beach didn’t offer much in the way of tasty waves. Luckily, at twelve he got his first taste of surfing in San Diego with his uncle. His globe-trotting travels eventually brought him to Oahu. Why here? Well, he simply couldn’t handle another cold Colorado winter. With an entrepreneurial father and a marketing mother, it seemed natural for him to attend the University of Hawaii to study business.

Brad has had the honor of being dubbed “Sir Bradley” by Jojo herself just because he’s a little too smart for his board shorts. And, while he enjoys acknowledging how bright he can be, Brad loves teaching kids to surf even more. Watching the sparkle in their eyes and the smiles on their faces as they catch their first wave, Brad savors being their surf guide and teacher during that special moment.

Favorite Surf Spots:

  • Threes

Favorite Board Style:

  • Keoki
  • Firewire Short Boards

Best Job Perks:

  • Helping kids experience something totally new through surf coaching/instructing
  • Getting to be a part of someone’s first experience with surfing as their surf instructor

 

ABOUT_Team-Trevor

Trevor Masterson   |   Head Instructor

Trevor Masterson is known on the beach as “Mini Laird” (as in Laird Hamilton, guys) or “IZM” for “Impact Zone Masterson.” Somehow he always manages to find himself right in the middle of the big waves. Though raised in Washington, DC, Trevor’s traveled to Hong Kong, and studied civil engineering in Delaware. He first charged the waves at fourteen-years-old, and hasn’t stopped since. He says that standing up on a surfboard that very first time changed his life. He came to Hawaii for the environmental science, and stayed for the surf. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons he’s still here. Trevor’s been a surf instructor in Waikiki since 2003. When he’s not surfing, or teaching others to surf at group on private surfing lessons, you can find him doing volunteer work for his brother’s Hawaii cultural classes at HPU.

Favorite Surf Spots:

  • Leftovers, North Shore
  • Sunset, North Shore
  • Backyards, North Shore

Favorite Board Style:

  • Guns

Best Job Perks:

  • The experience — remembering that first time you stood on a board — and then sharing in someone else’s first experience

 

ABOUT_Team-Rafael

Rafael Naranjo   |   Surf Instructor / Photographer

Strange as it sounds, Rafael “Rafiki” Naranjo was raised somewhere between Miami and Ecuador. He took to the waves at eight-years-old, on Florida’s East Coast. Eventually, the siren call of Oahu’s legendary surf lured Rafael to Hawaii. He claims his nickname simply fits his laid-back, hippie lifestyle. This self-proclaimed hippie surf guide speaks Spanish fluently, and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with an environmental strides degree. In fact, the environment plays a big role in his life. He’s traveled to Indonesia to take part in soil restoration, and also volunteered at an Ecuadorian orphanage.

Rafael feels that when people learn to surf, they don’t just learn to stand up on a board, they become more aware of their surroundings and the environment. He also loves to see how happy they are after their first lesson. When he’s not surfing, Rafael spends his time taking on his biggest challenge yet — father to his baby, Noah.

Favorite Surf Spots:

  • Anywhere on Oahu’s North Shore
  • Bali

Favorite Board Style:

  • Short Boards
  • Fish

Best Job Perks:

  • Witnessing the happiness a lesson can bring to people
  • Helping people to connect with the world and sharing knowledge about our environment

 

ABOUT_Team-Jedi

Jedi White
Instructor

ABOUT_Team-Lopaka

Lopaka Biondini
Instructor

FAQs For Our Surf Instructor Team

What makes a surf instructor great?

A great surf instructor embodies a blend of technical knowledge, patience, and passion for the sport. Key qualities include:

  • Deep Understanding of Surfing Techniques: They should have comprehensive knowledge of surfing mechanics and be adept at teaching these techniques to others.
  • Safety Awareness: A great surf instructor prioritizes safety, teaching students how to read ocean conditions and manage risks.
  • Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial. Instructors must be able to clearly explain techniques and provide feedback in a way that is easy to understand.
  • Patience and Encouragement: Learning to surf can be challenging. A great surf coaching instructor is patient and encouraging, helping students progress at their own pace while building their confidence.
  • Adaptability: Each student is unique, so instructors at surf schools Hawaii must adapt their teaching methods to meet individual needs and learning styles.
  • Passion for Teaching: A great surf instructor loves both surfing and teaching. This passion inspires students and enhances the learning experience.

Can you teach yourself to surf?

While it’s possible to teach yourself to surf, having a surf instructor can dramatically improve your learning curve, ensure your safety, and help you understand ocean conditions better. Our experienced instructors at Gone Surfing Hawaii offer tailored guidance that fits your personal learning style and skills, regardless of your surfing level.

What are the benefits of surf coaching compared to surfing alone?

Surf coaching provides structured learning, immediate feedback, other Oahu surf spot recommendations and techniques tailored to your specific needs. This personalized approach helps you progress faster and more safely than surfing alone. Our coaches also provide insights into wave selection, positioning, and etiquette, which are crucial for effective surfing.

Reach Out to Our Gone Surfing Hawaii Team Today

Ready to catch some waves or glide across the water on a paddleboard? Contact Gone Surfing Hawaii today for more information or to book your lesson. Our team of expert instructors is excited to share their passion and expertise with you, ensuring you have an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Hawaiian waters. Book here if you are ready to take a step towards the best group or private surfing lessons on Waikiki Beach!