Can anyone reccomend a good operation for beginner surf lessons in Kauai?

In the Kapa'a area, look up Ambrose Curry (he is in the phone book.) He has his "office" in the yellow building across from McDonalds/Foodland where he shapes surfboards. He is eccentric, he is a hoot, he is legendary on Kauai, and he gives excellent private lessons.

In the Hanalei area, "Kayak Kauai" offers surfing lessons. On the Poipu side of the island, "Kauai Surf School" is family owned and operated.

Hope this helps.

Aloha

Hawaiian Surfing Adventures, with local instructors, has great surf lessons mainly done at Hanalei Bay.
Sandy bottom/ relatively shallow/long rides. You meet at a little Grass Hut. Call 482-0749. Located right on Hanalei Bay where the Hanalei River meets the ocean.

You can call a great guy named Steve Landis at (562) 900-6335 for private lessons. He taught us how to ride the single-manned canoe paddle thing-a-ma-jig. It was fun. He also gives surf lessons and I imagine he'd be great. He and his wife live in Hanalei two minutes by foot to the bay. Have fun!