SOUL SURFING MAUI instructors are highly skilled at teaching students of all ages and pride themselves in having a special Knack for putting your worries to ease. Owner/Head Coach Brian DeCook says: “Helping people relax and have fun as they learn is our key secret to success! Our Coaching staff is comprised of professional Life Loving surf instructors that have a genuine interest in seeing you succeed. So whether you are a first time beginner or a seasoned surfer looking to improve, we got you covered . We want you to have the best day ever and our professional coaches are standing by to make that happen !”
Owner/Head Coach: Brian Decook
Brian DeCook Founded Soul Surfing Maui in 1994 out of his genuine love for teaching people how to surf. Brian has a natural knack for teaching with a smile and putting his students worries to ease. Over the years he has exhibited supreme dedication to his craft, and has developed a number of intuitive coaching techniques. Brian’s business plan is the same now as it was 30 years ago: “Treat every guest as a #1 VIP and always display the highest level of personal service”. Aside from running SSM, Brian enjoys oil painting, photography and taking surf and snowboard trips to various locations around the world.
Head Coach: Shaun Frerking
Shaun is a Head Coach on our coaching staff. Shaun was born and raised in Haiku Maui, and has been Surfing since he was a little kid. Shaun has extensive knowledge on the sport having surfed all over the Hawaiian islands, as well as many exotic locals around the world. For Shaun teaching people how to surf comes very natural. He likes to challenge himself to do better every time he paddles out, and having trained side by side with Brian, has the senior coaching skills to help you do the same. In his free time Shaun enjoys spearfishing with his friends, traveling to far off destinations to surf and snowboard, and above all spending time with his family and new born son Cruz. We are very happy to have Shaun on the SSM coaching team.
Surf instructor: Matt Mercado
Coach Matt was born and raised in Upcountry Makawao and has been instructing with Brian since the very beginning. Matt is a kind soul who lives Aloha and believes in preserving the old Hawaiian ways. His calm style of teaching is supportive, fun and easy to understand. Most of his friends know him as ‘Bones’ ( nickname ), a humble surf legend with a masters degree in ocean safety. Matt was a Maui County Life Guard for 20 years and it shows in his work. In his free time Matt enjoys surf travel, playing the ukulele, fishing, working out and training in martial arts. Thanks for all your contributions Matt, we are proud to have you aboard our coaching team.