A 28-year-old woman learning to surf was hospitalized in critical condition after nearly drowning in waters off Kalaeloa about noon today, the Department of Emergency Services said.

The woman was part of a family visiting from the mainland who was taking lessons from a surfing school in waters off White Plains Beach, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig. The woman fell off her board about 11:35 a.m. and did not surface immediately, he said.

Surfing school instructors helped bring her ashore, and firefighters performed CPR on the woman, Seelig said.