Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei

Your first Hawaiian surf may come sooner than you expect: coaches help you position yourself, catch a small wave, and find your feet on the board. I like the hands-on instruction in the water and the included gear, which spare you from sorting out a board and surf shirt before class.

One thing to plan for: you must be able to swim in the ocean, and the stated minimum age for this group lesson is 11. The shoreline can also be rocky in some conditions, so reef shoes are useful, but they may not remove every worry about falling in shallow water.

Key points

• About two hours on the water: Start with a brief land lesson, then practice with a coach in the waves.
• Small group, limited to six: You get instruction in a group rather than a private lesson, with the coach helping students catch waves.
• Equipment is included: Surf Club Maui provides a board, reef shoes, and a rash guard surf shirt.
• For swimmers aged 11 and up: Younger children need a private or semi-private family class.
• Budget $108.61 per person: Taxes, fees, equipment, and free parking are included. Tips and any photos you choose to buy are extra.

A first surf lesson at Kalama Beach Park

Surfing is one of those Hawaii experiences that can look harder from shore than it feels once someone has shown you the basics. At Kalama Beach Park, Surf Club Maui keeps the class focused on a simple goal: learn the movements, get into the water, and try to ride a wave with a coach nearby.

The waves are described as gentle and suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. Conditions still vary, of course, and the lesson is not a promise that you will stand up on every try. But instructors work with you in the water, helping you catch waves and offering feedback as you go.

That direct coaching is a big part of the value. Names that come up in connection with the school include Bryan, Epps, Sarge, Pablo, Sol, Brendon, and Willow. Instructors change, so you cannot count on a particular coach, but the consistent strengths described are patience, encouragement, and useful tips after each attempt.

Check in at the Surf Club Maui van

The meeting point is Surf Club Maui’s van at Kalama Beach Park, 1900 S Kihei Road. Your class ends back there, so you do not need to arrange transport between a separate lesson site and the meeting point.

At check-in, the team outfits you with reef shoes and a rash guard surf shirt. All necessary equipment is included, along with taxes, fees, and free parking. Bring your swimsuit and sunscreen, and arrive ready to get wet.

Changing rooms and showers are available, a welcome practical detail if you want to clean up before heading to your next Maui stop. The class lasts about two hours, but arrive rested and drink plenty of water beforehand. Learning to paddle and repeatedly getting back onto a board takes effort, even when the waves are small.

Learn the basics on land before paddling out

The lesson begins with a short instruction session on shore. You go over safety and technique before heading into the water, giving you a chance to understand the basic sequence before trying it in moving surf.

For a first-timer, this groundwork matters. You are not simply handed a board and pointed at the ocean. You have a coach explain what to do, then get a chance to put those instructions into practice with help close by.

The class is designed for mixed ages 11 and up, so adults and older children can take part together. The group limit is six people. That is small enough to allow for personal guidance, though it is still a shared lesson, not continuous one-to-one instruction. When a coach is helping another person, you may have to wait your turn before your next wave.

Practice in warm, relatively gentle water

Once the land lesson is done, coaches join you in the water and help you catch waves. The water is described as warm, and usually waist to chest deep. Conditions and the exact depth can change with the tide and the day, so do not treat that description as a guarantee that the water will feel shallow to you.

The wave size is intended to suit learners, not people seeking a fast, powerful surf session. For a beginner, that is the point. Smaller waves give you room to concentrate on balance, timing, and the instructions without having to manage a much larger swell.

You may find yourself standing up quickly, or you may need several tries. Coaches such as Willow and Brendon have been praised for giving practical feedback after a run, while instructors including Bryan and Epps have been described as encouraging with children and adults alike. That kind of coaching helps you adjust one step at a time instead of guessing what went wrong.

This class also suits an intermediate surfer who wants a relaxed session and some guidance, but experienced surfers looking for bigger waves may find the conditions too mild. One useful tip from a past session was to seek an early class for calmer winds, though the exact conditions are never guaranteed.

Know the shoreline may be rocky

Kalama Beach is not guaranteed to have a soft, sandy entry at every session. One participant found the beach rocky and felt uncomfortable falling in shallow water, while other people in the same group were less bothered. That is a real consideration if you are uneasy about rocks beneath the water.

Reef shoes are supplied, which is helpful, but the class still involves falls and getting back onto the board. You can tell your instructor if you feel unsure, and you should not push past your comfort level. Conditions may differ by day, and the rocky shoreline is not necessarily what you will encounter at every lesson.

The tour information also asks you to report health problems, pain, tingling, or numbness to your instructor right away. Stop the activity if you experience lower back or neck pain, tingling, or numbness. If symptoms do not go away, seek medical attention.

A family activity, with a firm age rule

This class can be a good fit for families with children who are at least 11 and can swim in the ocean. Parents and teens can learn together, and coaches are accustomed to working with both younger students and adults. The group format can make a first surf lesson feel less formal and more fun.

Do not rely on a younger child being allowed to join because they have surfed before or seem confident. The stated minimum age is 11. If you are bringing a child under 11, book a private lesson or semi-private family class instead. Arriving with a younger child for this group class can result in cancellation without a refund.

Swimming ability is just as important as age. You must be able to swim in the ocean and be comfortable in deep water. If you cannot swim or are uncomfortable in deep water, the lesson will be canceled without a refund. The weight limit is 250 pounds per person.

What the $108.61 price covers

At $108.61 per person, this is not the lowest-cost way to get in the ocean, but the fee covers more than a board rental. You get about two hours of instruction, equipment, taxes and fees, and free parking. The coach-led format is especially useful if your goal is to learn how to catch a wave rather than simply try to stand on a board without guidance.

Keep a little extra cash handy for an instructor tip, which the company requests. Photography may also be offered separately. One person paid $60 per person in their group for a set of photos, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed price or included feature. Ask about the current photo cost before deciding.

With the lesson, equipment, and parking bundled together, the price can make sense for a first-time surfer or a family hoping to share a new activity. If you already own a board and know how to surf, you may get less from the instruction. If you are on the fence about trying, the coaching is the main reason to book this rather than rent a board and work it out alone.

Practical details to settle before you go

The lesson is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking. The company sends an online waiver link, and you need to sign it before the lesson.

Arrive well rested and hydrate before class. Bring a swimsuit and sunscreen, and consider bringing cash for a tip. You do not need to bring the included surf equipment, but you should be prepared for a physical activity and for time in the ocean.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the session, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund; cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Kalama Beach group lesson?

Book this class if you are a confident ocean swimmer, at least 11, and want a supported first shot at surfing in Maui. It is especially well suited to couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who value a coach’s help more than having a private lesson.

Think twice if you are uneasy in deeper water, have difficulty with physical activity, or strongly dislike rocky footing. Also look elsewhere if you want a private coach, need a lesson for a child under 11, or hope for bigger surf. For a beginner who wants a clear introduction, gear included, and the chance to catch a real wave, this is a practical and appealing way to spend two hours in Kihei.

FAQ

How long is the group surf lesson?

The lesson lasts about two hours.

Where does the lesson meet?

Meet at the Surf Club Maui van at Kalama Beach Park, 1900 S Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What is the minimum age?

The group class is for participants aged 11 and up. Children under 11 need a private lesson or semi-private family class.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim in the ocean and feel comfortable in deep water. If you cannot swim or are not comfortable in deep water, the lesson will be canceled without a refund.

What equipment is included?

The company provides the necessary surf equipment, reef shoes, and a rash guard surf shirt.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of six participants.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free parking is included. Changing rooms and showers are also available.

What is the weight limit?

The stated weight limit is 250 pounds per person.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.