The Maldives have been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Palm lined beaches, turquoise waters, bustling reefs, and hundreds of waves to choose from. It’s every surfer’s dream.

 The only deterrent? The 30+ hours of travel required to get there from my home in Hawaii.

Although I’ve been surfing for over a decade, I’d consider myself a very intermediate surfer. I mostly longboard in mellow conditions, occasionally pulling out a fish or mid-length when the size picks up. I was nervous to paddle out at unfamiliar waves alone, so when I discovered a seven-day coaching trip aboard a yacht, it sounded like a match made in heaven.

After three flights and 36-hours of travel, I arrived bleary eyed and exhausted in paradise. A balmy breeze greeted me as I stepped off the plane, and I stumbled to the airport hotel for a well-deserved rest.

The following morning, I woke to blue skies and turquoise waters as far as the eye could see. I gathered my belongings and easily found our crew at the port, the collection of board bags a dead giveaway. Our group consisted of twelve surfers, ranging from 28-to 51-yrs old, all from different corners of the globe and bringing with them a mix of surf experience. After hellos and handshakes, we boarded our new home for the week, the Sea Pleasure, and immediately suited up for our first surf. The adventure had begun.

 Born and raised in South Africa, Andrew Goodman has been surfing since he was six and has been coaching for the past 16 years. Friendly and buzzing with childlike stoke, he would be our surf coach for the week, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience. The calm to Andrew’s charisma, Eleonora Fiorini has a background in hospitality and would serve as the logistical guru, spearheading island visits and answering questions enroute. We were in good hands.

Over the past two decades, the couple have separately fallen in love with the Maldives through countless trips to the islands and wanted to find a way to share the experience with others. When they joined forces five years ago their dream finally came to fruition. In 2021, they set sail on their first weeklong surfing trip in the Maldives.

 When we arrived at our first surf break, we gathered on the top deck, scouting the wave and locating markers that would allow us to sit safely at the peak. Andrew would be in the water with us at all times as well a local Maldivian surfer, Mohamed Najaah (aka Kabo), ranked second in the nation. Additionally, a photographer would be documenting all our sessions, providing photos and videos for further coaching analysis and memories to take home.

I quickly waxed down my surfboard and plunged into the crystalline water. My first thought was that I couldn’t’ believe how warm it was (and I’m from Hawaii). Tropical fish darted to and fro beneath my board and perfect shoulder-high peelers were breaking off the point. I was in heaven. That evening, with my belly full and the feeling of the sun on my skin, the gentle rock of the boat lulled me to sleep.

By day two, we had settled into a routine. We’d wake early, scarf down some breakfast, and paddle out for a surf around nine. Typically, we’d surf for two to three hours before returning to the boat to refuel, rinse and repeat in the afternoon. Because this was a surf coaching trip, we were focused on more than just riding waves, but also improving our surfing. During our sessions, Andrew sat in the impact zone so he could analyze our waves. Between sets he’d offer pointers and small things we could work on to improve our surfing.

In the evening, after dinner, we’d gather around the television and go through photos and videos captured during our sessions. If you’ve never seen a video or photo of yourself surfing, you need to. In my head, I’m effortlessly cool and stylish on a wave. But in reality, I need to bend my knees more on the drop, compressing into each turn to get more power out of the waves. These were the pointers Andrew gave me and helped me put into practice on the water.

One of the best parts about being on a boat as opposed to a resort or a guest house, was the flexibility and spontaneity it allowed. Before each session, we’d scope the waves and if they were crowded or didn’t look good, we’d relocate to a different spot. We absolutely scored on this trip and more often than not had breaks entirely to ourselves!

Over the course of seven days, we snorkeled with reef sharks and majestic manta rays, replenished our muscles with an invigorating ice bath (a rarity in the Maldives), sunbathed on the upper deck, enjoyed massages courtesy of the onboard massage therapist, visited local islands, and surfed more than I ever have in my life; seven different breaks during 13 sessions.

On the final day, I stepped off the dock with sore muscles and skin a shade darker. I was leaving with hundreds of photos and an arsenal of advice that I was sure would continue to propel my surfing over the next few months. But most importantly, I was leaving with new lifelong friends.

Although surfing is about riding waves and pushing your limits, it’s also about connections. Over the course of seven days, 12 people who began as strangers evolved into a family of sorts. We’d cheer each other on in the lineup, encourage one another to overcome our fears, and talk story in the evenings, while soaking up postcard worthy scenery.

Although the jet lag took days to recover from upon my return home, the Maldives is a destination I will no doubt return to. I’ll return for the people, the stunning views, and the endless pursuit of riding the perfect wave.