Family Surf Lessons for Your Ohana
For us, surfing is about more than learning to catch a wave — it’s about sharing the experience with your ohana, the Hawaiian word for family. Makai Surf Club offers personalized family surf lessons designed to make learning to surf fun, comfortable, and rewarding for everyone.
Whether your family is completely new to surfing or some members already have experience, each lesson can be adapted around your group’s comfort level, abilities, and individual needs. Learning to surf together gives families the opportunity to try something new, encourage one another, and share the excitement of catching waves.
With experienced local instruction and plenty of hands-on support, everyone can learn at their own pace while enjoying quality time together in the ocean. Our family surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side, providing a beautiful setting to learn, practice, and experience the ocean together.
surf together.Make MEMORIES
Learning to surf takes practice, patience, and the right guidance. At Makai Surf Club, you’ll get hands-on instruction in a supportive environment designed to help you feel comfortable in the ocean. Take your time, build your skills, and enjoy the experience of learning to surf in Maui.
Surf Lessons
Designed Around You
Every surfer learns differently, which is why Makai Surf Club offers private and small-group surf lessons that can be tailored to your experience, comfort level, and goals.
Private Surf Lessons
One-on-one instruction
Enjoy personalized one-on-one instruction focused entirely on your individual needs. Your instructor can adjust the pace, coaching, and approach throughout the session to help you feel comfortable and make meaningful progress in the water.
Semi-Private Surf Lessons
Learn together
Learn alongside a partner, friend, or family member while still receiving personalized instruction and support. Semi-private lessons are a great way to share the experience while having plenty of time to practice and work toward catching waves.
Private Group Lessons
Made for your group
For families and larger groups, private group lessons provide a fun way to experience surfing together. Group options allow everyone to learn in a supportive environment while receiving guidance from an experienced instructor.
Your surf experience
starts here.
Choose the lesson that fits you best and get ready to experience Maui from the water at Ukumehame Beach.
What to Expect From Your Family Surf Lesson
Your family’s first surfing experience should feel exciting, supportive, and easy to understand. At Makai Surf Club, you’ll be guided through each step so everyone knows what to expect before heading into the water.
Meet Your Instructor
Meet your experienced Maui surf instructor, get comfortable, and prepare for your family’s session. This is your opportunity to ask questions and understand how the lesson will work for your group.
Learn the Fundamentals
Start with the essential foundations of surfing, including board positioning, paddling, pop-up technique, balance, ocean awareness, and surf safety. Your instructor will explain everything clearly before you head into the water.
Practice Together in the Water
Take what you’ve learned into the ocean with friendly in-water guidance. Your instructor will help each family member understand positioning, timing, balance, and how to work with the waves.
Catch Your First Waves Together
Put your new skills together and work toward standing up, finding your balance, and enjoying your first rides. Sharing that first wave experience as a family makes the lesson even more memorable.
Quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards, and booties are provided, along with a safety briefing, towels, drinks, snacks, and in-water support to make your experience comfortable from start to finish.
More Than a Surf Lesson An Elevated Maui Experience
At Makai Surf Club, every lesson is designed to feel like more than time in the water. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, every detail is thoughtfully considered to create a personalized, comfortable, and elevated surf experience.
Enjoy quality surf equipment, personalized instruction, towels, refreshing drinks, snacks, and dedicated in-water support — all thoughtfully provided so you can focus on enjoying your time in the ocean.
It’s a more intentional way to experience surfing in Maui, with personal attention and thoughtful touches from start to finish.
Personalized Instruction
Coaching tailored to your experience level, comfort, and goals in the water.
Quality Surf Equipment
Quality longboards, rash guards, and booties are provided for a comfortable experience in the water.
Towels & Refreshments
Towels, refreshing drinks, and snacks are thoughtfully provided as part of your surf experience.
Dedicated In-Water Support
Friendly, attentive support in the water helps you feel comfortable, confident, and supported throughout your lesson.
Thoughtful From Start to Finish
Every detail is designed to make your time with Makai feel personal, effortless, and memorable.
Why Take a Family Surf Lesson?
A Fun Maui Experience for the Whole Family
A family surf lesson is more than simply learning how to stand on a surfboard. It’s an opportunity to step away from the usual vacation routine, try something new together, and experience Maui from the water.
Whether everyone is completely new to surfing or some family members already have experience, your lesson can be adapted to different comfort levels and abilities so everyone can enjoy the experience.
Make Memories in the Water
Family vacations are about creating memories that last long after you return home. Learning to surf together gives everyone something to share, from getting comfortable on the board to celebrating those first successful rides.
With personalized instruction and a supportive environment, your family can encourage each other, build confidence, and enjoy the excitement of experiencing something new together.
Whether you’re staying in Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, or exploring another part of Maui, a family surf lesson is a memorable way to experience the island from the ocean.
South Pacific Kayaks
Looking to experience even more of Maui from the water? Makai Surf Club is proud to partner with South Pacific Kayaks, offering another way to explore Maui’s coastline and enjoy unforgettable ocean adventures.
Learn From Someone Who Knows the Ocean
Local knowledge, water experience, and personalized instruction come together to help you feel more confident in the ocean.
Learn From Someone Who Knows the Ocean
Makai Surf Club was founded by Maui local Karlie Thoma, an experienced waterwoman with a lifelong connection to the ocean.
With experience in surfing, kiteboarding, winging, and foiling, Karlie brings extensive water knowledge and a genuine passion for helping others become more comfortable and confident in the ocean.
Whether your family is taking its first surf lesson or some members are looking to improve their existing skills, instruction is built around the individual surfer rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Learn With Makai Surf Club?
Local experience meets personalized instruction — so you can enjoy more of your time in the water.
Family Surf Lessons — FAQs
Everything you need to know before your family surf lesson with Makai Surf Club. From experience levels and lesson options to equipment and location, we're here to make your Maui surf experience simple, comfortable, and enjoyable for the whole family.
No. Our family surf lessons are designed for first-time surfers as well as families with members who already have some surfing experience. Your instructor can adjust the lesson around your group’s individual comfort and ability levels.
Yes. Family lessons are a great way for children and adults to experience surfing together. Instruction can be adapted around the group so everyone can learn at a comfortable pace.
Yes. Families often have different levels of experience, and your instructor can provide guidance based on each person’s individual needs while keeping the group together.
All Makai Surf Club surf lessons are 2 hours long, giving your family enough time to learn the fundamentals, practice in the water, and work toward catching waves.
Yes. Private lessons provide a more personalized experience and allow your instructor to focus on your family’s specific needs, comfort levels, and goals.
Yes. Our semi-private option is designed for two surfers and is a great choice for couples, siblings, parents and children, or other family members who want to share the experience.
Yes. Private group lessons are available for larger families and groups who want to learn and enjoy the experience together.
You’ll learn essential surfing skills including board positioning, paddling, pop-up technique, balance, wave awareness, positioning, and basic surf safety.
Makai Surf Club provides quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards, and booties. Towels, drinks, and snacks are also provided, along with in-water support throughout your lesson.
Family surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side, providing a beautiful setting for families to learn, practice, and enjoy the ocean together.
Yes. Ukumehame Beach is approximately 20–25 minutes south of Lahaina and the Kaanapali Resorts, making it a convenient option for families staying in the Kaanapali area.
Yes. Ukumehame Beach is approximately 25 minutes from Kihei, Makena, and Wailea Resorts, making it a convenient option for families staying in South Maui.
Makai Surf Club’s location is approximately 20–25 minutes south of Lahaina and the Kaanapali Resorts and about 45 minutes from Paia, Haiku, and Maui’s North Shore areas. This makes it a convenient surf experience for families exploring different parts of the island.
Yes, we do. Photo and video can be arranged in advance for an additional fee. Please email makaisurfclub@gmail.com prior to your lesson to arrange it.
Your First Wave Starts Here.
Build confidence, learn the fundamentals, and experience surfing on Maui with personalized instruction at Ukumehame Beach.
Use these exact views to help you identify the surf lesson meeting point when you arrive.
Conveniently Located for Maui Visitors
Makai Surf Club is based at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side, making it a convenient surf destination for visitors staying in many of Maui’s popular resort areas.
We’re just under 20 minutes from Lahaina, approximately 15 minutes from Kihei, and about 20 minutes from Wailea. Lahaina and Kaanapali are located on Maui’s West Side, while Kihei and Wailea are on the South Side.
This convenient location makes it easy to fit a personalized surf lesson into your Maui vacation, whether you’re staying on the West Side, South Side, or exploring other areas of the island.
Our surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side — a relaxed setting with space to learn, practice, and enjoy the ocean.
Ready to Surf Together? Your Family’s First Wave Is Waiting
Experience the ocean, learn the fundamentals, and build your confidence together with a personalized family surf lesson from Makai Surf Club.
