Hey, welcome to Hawaii, ok? You know, Hawaiian hea often look upon certain animal as having some spiritual bond with them, like spirit of ancestor, (aumakua) ok? Often this gonna be shark, which we call M'ano, ok? Now, I not big on this belief, so I only tell you this cause you not only person who worry bout shark when they surf, ok? You stupid NOT to at least know bout them ok? And, I have to tell you that once you get inna ocean, you become part of food chain, ok? Bout 40 specie of shark hea inna island, but ones which attack people usually only Tiger shark that actually bite people, although Great White, Galapagos, and black tip reef can be aggressive to people, ok? So, what to do? Avoid surf inna place where shark hang out, don't go at nite, when most shark hunt, and if you see shark inna water, you get OUT, ok? You instructor gonna take good care you, specially if you take lesson at Waikiki, or Halieva, so not a problem, just go and enjoy, yeah? It been while since I see shark while surfing, and last time I see Tiger, a ten footer, was one that cruise through where I snorkel, but funny thing, I not even see it till it on it way back to deep water, ok? When we spearfish we have to watch real close for shark, cause blood from catch, and sound of struggle attract shark, but mostly they dust wanna take fish, not human, ok? Peace and aloha to you!