They said it, not us!

Testimonials

"Internationally acclaimed Surfing Champion Nancy Emerson with her personal technique will teach you how to surf and will have you experience one of your finest experiences of your life."
New York Times

Kiki Foley & Surf buddy, Nancy's clients on Namotu

"First I want to thank you for your Ohana Aloha Welcome. I had such a great experience. Nancy's welcoming Aloha spirit, and genuinely felt she really wanted me to have a positive experience with my surfing. She took the time after I had filled out the on line registration, I thought was a very thorough questioner, for her to understand my experience with the ocean, and use as a teaching tool. I had hit a plateau with my surfing and need some guidance.I had met Nancy a few months back in Fiji. I have been surfing for approximately 8 years, and am an instructor at a surf camp in the summer, here in Southern California. My first was a clinic in San Clemente that a group of my friends participated in. It was there the beginning of working out some bad habits. The next weekend I went to San Onfre, I had such a great session, and more confidence with the new techniques I had learned. Two weeks later I was in Hawaii, I had schedule private 1 on 1 with Nancy. She took my back to the basics. I was in a new spot, with new information. Nancy focused on my positive abilities first, and led into constructive instruction, that led to more confidant, controlled rides. She takes the time to write out affirmations for each student based on her observation and information with each student. That I believe helps her to better connect with the individual. A very personal way for the breakthroughs I experienced. I'm grateful to Nancy, her experience is defiantly a positive improvement to my surfing, and has taken me to a new level, I feel ready for."

"If there's anything you want to know about the art of surfboard riding, Maui's First Lady of Surfing, Nancy Emerson will certainly have the answer."
Gerry Lopez
Surfing's World famous Legend

I wanted to say a very sincere thank you for all of your positivity, kindness and hospitality during my trip. It was great. I learned lots about my surfing technique such as relaxing my legs so I carry less weight and standing like I am swinging for a baseball. The work you did with me helping me see the little things wrong with my technique has made all the difference. I caught the best wave I have in a long time on Friday morning. The main reason being I finally felt in control on my board because I wasn't looking at it :) Thanks Nancy, you rock. Joe Rogers

"Ms Emerson, Hawaiian star, lectured Miami High School students on water safety, learning to surf and the Hawaiian Culture. The joy she gives in her teaching, you don't want to miss if you meet her."
Bulletin Sports, Gold Coast, Australia

"She has businessmen, doctors, lawyers" (as students) "There are more women now than ever before learning the sport of surfing from the renowned Nancy Emerson surfing lessons of Malibu."
Los Angeles Times

"Nancy Emerson's experience gives her a keen eye for the subtle aspects of form that have a profound effect on how well you surf. The benefit of her insight will be a valuable and enlightening experience for any surfer."
Looking forward to taking some lessons in Maui sometime soon!
Stewart Carl Engineering

"Nancy Emerson is Maui's most successful pro female surf star, surfing instructor and a major contest supporter through producing amateur surfing events."
Makana Aloha Magazine

"Nancy Emerson's surfing lessons will be the highlight of your vacation. You will appreciate the ocean in a special way."
Here's Maui Magazine

"When it comes to Nancy Emerson's surfing instruction, the eagle has landed at its best."
Mark Hogge, Federal Attorney

Dear Nancy,
well, I've been home long enough for my skin to peel, my arms to stop aching and my brain to sputter into gear sufficiently to comment on my surfing lessons last week. I want to say something about the sport, the school and the superintendent.
The basic idea was simple; I was coming to Maui to answer a question: would surfing be part of the second half of my life? Forty years old, living in a Midwestern grain-break and twenty-nine years removed from a California adolescence featuring no surfing instruction leading to no surfing technique, I wanted to determine if surfing itself, rather than just the clothes or the mags, could be a genuine part of my life. What I needed was a dollop of instruction atop an entree of encouragement. Fortunately, this is America.
I chose your school for three reasons: (1) nice glossy ads in major surf publications; (2) prompt and courteous, nay genuinely interested replies to my inquiries; (3) Maui location. I was in no way disappointed. Great spots, great organization, great equipment and, fortunately, great conditions for learning, combined to make for a week of solid instruction and modest but substantive improvement. Of course I never doubted I could get up and ride a wave... provided I could muster the courage and capacity to paddle out! That's where the teaching really paid off.
As they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and I'm sure it's easier to instruct a novice than to try and correct the faults of someone like me who knows just enough to get into trouble. I mean, I never doubted that if a dog could surf so could I, but could I look as good as Apache doing it? What I really appreciated was your ability to combine tolerance for my faults (which after all, and despite their severity, had sustained my enthusiasm for decades) with specific guidance for eliminating them (eg. where to sit, where and how to paddle, where to look, how to kick out, etc.). It's true I was pretty hopeless at implementing your all-important Rule #1 (Relax), but my deep-seated predilection for tension and anxiety could hardly be undermined in a week. I should also mention how much I appreciate your efforts to inculcate respect and concern for Maui's natural environment, efforts refreshingly at odds with the prevalent Hawaii-as-amusement -park mentality.
My main goal in taking some lessons was to determine whether I could surf the rest of my life.. Whether I could master the techniques requisite for paddling out in moderate surf and catching a few waves.. Or whether I should simply be content with my childhood memories of taking off on and riding (but never pulling out of!) a handful of waves. My goal was completely realized: I can surf."
Mark P. Jenkins
Chicago, USA
Retired Stock Broker, currently Freelance Writer

"I went to Australia and It was the best choice I could have made. She took my skills up to the next level. Nancy was a wonderful teacher and tour guide. I was traveling by myself, so she introduced me to some really nice people and showed me all the entertainment spots and eateries."
I feel the Gold Coast is a wonderful choice for surfers. I have been to Hawaii, Fiji and of course Malibu, but from my own experience the Gold Coast has many more choices than any place I've been, and the breaks are more consistent.
When I arrived in Australia, I had some poor surfing habits and did not know about all the hazards and the safety precautions one must take in the water. After my lessons, I feel a lot more confident and I am a better surfer.
I had a great time, not only with my surfing, but with the Australian culture. I admire how everyone treats everyone else with respect. Anyone looking for a good surfing safari outside of the United States should not look any further than Down Under and Nancy Emerson should certainly be the surfing guide."
Jennifer Chapman

"Chapman feels that the Gold Coast is a wonderful choice for surfers, and she has checked out the breaks in such paradises as Hawaii, Fiji and of course, Malibu."
Malibu Times

Student Hayley Cameron came to Oahu, Hawaii summer 06 and really advanced her skills!

"I have a much greater understanding and awareness of surfing now. I have learnt what to aim for and what to correct. It was a great privilege to be taught by Nancy, and all in all the week proved to be a memorable, encouraging and extremely fun experience!" Elena Vidal
Spain

"I feel that I learned a lot these past few days. I know what to work on now, and Nancy is an inspiring teacher with incredible patience. The week was very motivating, and made me want to continue surfing as much as possible. Thanks for an amazing week!"
Elisa Mosler
London

Aloha Nancy,
Now that I've come down a bit from my Hawaiian high I'm finally able to reflect on my trip and write you this letter.
As corny as it sounds, words really cannot adequately express what an extraordinary time I had when I took my series of surfing lessons from you. As you know, I hadn't surfed in almost 25 years and was feeling a lot of anxiety and self-doubt. All of that vanished at the beginning of my very first lesson. You provided instruction in a way that was clear, supportive, patient, positive and most of all, fun, I was formerly a teacher and I know what it takes to impart information and skills and, believe me, you have all of the special qualities that teaching requires. You bolstered my self-confidence and made me feel successful (and I did ride waves the first day as promised!). Life experiences are priceless to me...more important than money and material possessions. The experience I received from you and your wonderful staff - Dave, Doug and Geraldine - will stay with me always. I'm looking forward to getting out into the California surf and applying all of the things you taught me. I know now that I can do it!
Mahalo and love to you,
Jim Trombella
Santa Barbara, CA
Listen to this fabulous song that Jim composed just for Nancy!
You'll need RealPlayer to play the song, get the program free! here RealPlayer Free Download .wav format

"I've known and worked with Nancy Emerson for many years. I've seen her teach 100's of people to have a safe & enjoyable surfing experience. She is a True water person whose knowledge & experience is a product of more than 25 years in the surfing industry. I've surfed with Nancy all over the Hawaiian Islands & the South Pacific (Fiji-Namotu & Tavarua) so I speak from firsthand experience. I highly recommend her as a surfing teacher or partner. She helped me on many occasions......... Mahalo Nancy."
David Millen

"Nancy gives you the Freedom to Learn with the personal tips to keep you trying. She works with your personal style instead of trying to teach you her style. A Great Experience, a must for everyone."
Matthew Van Hoose,
Little League Coach