Standing on a surfboard in the sand at Breakwall Beach in Maui, practicing moves and foot placement on the long board, I felt like a fool. The only reason I was there was because my 7-year-old daughter, Sadie, wanted to learn how to surf. And the only reason I didn’t give up immediately is because she was standing next to me watching.
Besides never being particularly athletic or coordinated, I have always been a behind-the-scenes kind of person. This was way out there in public. Sadie had perfect form, our instructor Tim Sherer told us. She glowed while he repositioned my feet yet again.
Sherer, a transplant from California who started his business out of a van (where he also lived for awhile), is the owner of the Goofy Foot Surfing School in Lahaina on the northwest coast of Maui.
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Surf lessons pay off for a couple of Maui visitors.
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Courtesy of Goofy Foot Surf School
He’s come a long way from the van: Today he gives lessons to the likes of Jimmy Buffett. Because of his reputation, he gets booked early, so be sure to make a reservation well in advance. We felt lucky to get a private lesson with him. Sherer was so encouraging and positive that both Sadie and I felt instantly at ease.
Riding the Waves
After our land lesson, Sherer took Sadie out first while I floated on my 11-foot board. She was a natural, riding the gentle waves like she was born to it. It was my turn next, and I was ready to pass, but he convinced me that I would be disappointed with myself if I didn’t go out and try. Considering this is what I say to my daughter all the time, I had no choice.
Hawaiian Essentials: Beach Hotel and a Luau
We stayed at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, located on the northwest side of the island. Rates start at $195 for a value room, while $335 buys you an ocean view and breakfast. The hotel is a low-rise building with 430 rooms and is so family friendly that many families return year after year. Though it may lack some of the amenities of higher-priced properties, the hotel was spotless and the service was warm. It was a 15-minute drive to the main drag in Lahaina, so the Ka’anapali served as a good base. The best way to get around is a rental car.
Besides surfing, a luau is almost a requisite for any visit to Hawaii. The Old Lahaina Luau in Lahaina came highly recommended as the most authentic on the island, according to the concierge at my hotel, and a look at the Web site showed a slew of accolades from everyone from the Food Network to Zagat’s. The production is a history of Hawaii with dances that represent everyone from the first Polynesian settlers to present day residents. Before the show, you could browse locally produced arts and crafts for sale or have pictures taken with dancers. Though I loved the traditional Hawaiian dishes at the buffet (roasted pork, ahi tuna, mahi-mahi and countless others), Sadie didn’t find much to interest her other than sweet potatoes and fruit.
I will say this: I got up. With no grace and very little balance, but I actually managed to surf, sort of. The few seconds each time I was able to stand, I was exhilarated. However, in short order, I had enough and just enjoyed watching Sadie. She absolutely loved it.
It was a great experience for us. We both stretched to do something new, and I could see a newfound confidence in Sadie, especially when she realized she was so much better at something than I was. At 7, discovering that you have a skill that a parent doesn’t is a powerful (and healthy) thing. Learning that your child has a talent that you never knew or thought about is also a healthy thing. I came away with a new respect for her fearlessness and daring. I think she appreciated that her mom was willing to try something new, even if I was bad at it.
Private lessons with Sherer for two people for two hours costs $250. www.goofyfootsurfschool.com
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