It's been nearly three years since the Department of Education approved surfing as a school sport but, students are still waiting.

Hawaii has plenty of Junior Surf contests, and big name young surfers, like Carissa Moore so it may come as a surprise that surfing is not in schools yet.

“I've been working on it about 10 years now,” said Iris Kahaulelio.

Iris Kahaulelio of Kahuku High coaches a Surf Club. She's optimistic surfing will soon join the ranks of other high school sports, but aspiring Surf Coaches are losing hope.

“They feel there are so many hoops to go through. For example, swimming and water polo don't need the certification and canoe paddling doesn't. A lot of people feel surfing is being held to a higher standard,” said Kahaulelio.

Rules require three coaches per team. Each must take a 340-dollar water safety course. And members of a surf team would be trained as Junior Lifeguards. Organizers say steps would be taken to promote safety.

“ My philosophy in practice would be to split up into three groups. One would be surfing. One would be judging, one would be paddling,” said Wendell Aoki, with Hawaii Surfing Production.

Supporters say it's a shame to see surfing at schools on the Mainland, and not here.

“It's really picking up in California versus in Hawaii. We're trying to pass the hurdles just to get it started,” said Aoki.

Realistically, it will be a few more years before schools hold their first surf contest, but organizers say surfing will get its due.

“Football, basketball and everything else is ahead of surfing. Surfing is just a small article, but slowly I think the world is seeing Hawaii has a lot of talent and young ones that are coming up and making it. I guess that'll help us in the long run,” said Aoki.