Chelsea Lewis
Chelsea grew up at the Jersey Shore and began surfing on her 11th birthday in Wildwood, NJ. With a natural familiarity with the ocean from years of playing in the waves, she quickly became hooked. At 16, Chelsea began teaching surfing and continued her passion when she moved to Oahu. Now a long-time resident, she shares, “I love the ‘aina (the land), the mauna (the ocean), the warm weather, and the warm people. The culture of Hawai’i and the importance of ‘ohana (family), both blood and hānai (‘adopted’), remind me of my roots in South Jersey.”
As one of the founding members of our surf school, Chelsea has been teaching for 20 years. Her massage therapy training enhances her ability to adapt her teaching style to each student’s needs: “Just like waves, no two people are alike, so discovering which teaching methods resonate with each student is both enjoyable and fulfilling.” Chelsea sees surfing as more than a sport; it’s a spiritual experience that fosters self-awareness, presence, and life-long learning. She also loves bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, snorkeling, and free diving, and is proficient in Spanish and Japanese surf lingo.
Ohana Surf Story
Ohana means Family, and at the Ohana Surf Project, we pride ourselves on our family-oriented approach. Whether you’re a first-time surfer, a return customer or one of our professional surfing coaches and guides, the Ohana Surf Project aims to improve the lives of those we care about and those who come to us for care – Just Like Family.
Why Choose UsOur Surf Instructors
With over 150 years of shredding experience under our belts, our lead instructors each average 15 years as a surfing instructor and coach. They have cultivated, as a team, the unique and unparalleled combination of unconditional patience, intense passion, and a deep understanding of the art and sport of surfing and how to best pass that knowledge on. So, come and meet our surf instructors and your guides to mastering the waves!
