Why It’s Totally Fine If You Can’t Surf
Listen, not everyone is born with perfect balance and a deep connection to the ocean. And that’s okay. If you came to Hawaii thinking you’d be effortlessly shredding waves by day and sipping mai tais by night, only to realize that standing up on a board is way harder than it looks, don’t stress—you can still rock the surfer aesthetic without actually surfing.
The trick is owning the look. Find a board (borrow, rent, or strategically “pose” near one), let the ocean mist give you that perfectly tousled hair, and stand near the shoreline looking contemplative. Add a pair of sunglasses and a casual, "oh, I’m just taking a break" attitude, and boom—you’re serving surf pro realness without even getting wet.
For those who do want to make an effort, we suggest one dramatic attempt at catching a wave—purely for the photo op. Bonus points if you wipe out spectacularly and emerge laughing. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about surfing—it’s about looking effortlessly hot while pretending you can.
Trivia buffs might want to know that oldest surf shop in Hawaii opened in 1921 in Haleiwa. Check it out here.
