Our Story

The name Honu Honi was chosen to give thanks, acknowledgement and appreciation to the birthplace of surfing and the culture that surrounds it - Hawaiʻi.

While snorkelling off Oʻahu, our owner Becks was approached by a green sea turtle. It got a bit curious, swam all the way up to her and gave her a little headbutt on the head before diving back down into the sea.

While we’re pretty sure it just thought her hair was seaweed, we took it as a little blessing.

And that's where Honu Honi came from.

In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, honu means turtle, while honi has a meaning that's a little harder to translate directly - it can mean to kiss, to smell or sniff, or to touch noses in greeting. We'd always thought of Honu Honi simply as “turtle kiss”, but the fuller meaning is gentle nod to that little encounter.

As an Australian business carrying a Hawaiian name, we take the responsibility that comes with that to heart. Not only is the name our small acknowledgement of where surfing came from, but it is a commitment to treat surfing's history and culture, and the places we're lucky enough to surf, with respect.

Here at home, we operate on Wadawurrung Country, and that same respect for people and place matters deeply to us. Community, caring for the land and ocean, environmental custodianship and respect for First Nations people are values we actively try to bring into the way we run Honu Honi.

We live and breathe these commitments, holding them as our north star - alongside the deep joy, connection and wild amounts of fun that come from experiencing the ocean and sharing it with other people.

Meet the Team

  • Becks

    FOUNDER

    Becks is the owner of Honu Honi Surf Camp and Queen of Froth around these parts! (For real, we dare to find someone who cheers louder out in the surf!)

    You'll catch her at camp either helping out with the surf or yoga classes, snapping pics, or most likely chowing down on our delicious meals!

  • Iain

    SURF INSTRUCTOR

    Iain is our all-rounder legend and sometimes surf instructor.

    You're most likely to see him doing a lot of background work, including setting up tents, cooking delish meals, and occasionally he also jumps in the water to help out with some surf classes.

    He's passionate about good food and drink, and is actually a master gin and whiskey distiller by trade, so can chat your ear off about anything booze related.

  • Joëlle

    SURF INSTRUCTOR AND ADMIN WHIZ

    Hailing from Switzerland originally, she traded her snowboard in for a surfboard after falling in love with surfing years ago in Portugal.

    You'll find her answering many of your questions and calls when you reach out to our team, and she's currently in training to step into the water too, pursuing her dream of becoming a surf instructor!

  • Ophé

    SURF INSTRUCTOR

    Ophé is one of our incredible surf coaches, bringing a lifetime of surf stoke from the Basque Country in France. She grew up riding waves on the Atlantic and snowboarding in the Pyrenees, with her dad as her first surf coach and biggest inspiration.

    A former competitive surfer on the European Pro Juniors and WSL Qualifying Series, Ophé now shares her experience with others around the world. She’s a qualified Progressive Surf Coach with Surfing Australia, meaning she’s got the tools to coach everyone from beginners to elite-level surfers. Expect big smiles, big energy, and a whole lot of fun in the water!