Women’s Surf Lessons Designed Around You
Learning to surf should feel exciting, supportive, and approachable. At Makai Surf Club, women of different experience levels can learn the fundamentals of surfing while receiving personalized guidance throughout the lesson. Whether you’re standing on a surfboard for the first time or looking to improve your existing skills, your instructor will adjust the lesson around your individual needs. You’ll have time to learn the basics, practice in the water, work on your balance and positioning, and build confidence as you become more comfortable with the ocean. Located at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side, Makai Surf Club offers a relaxed setting where you can focus on learning, enjoying the water, and experiencing Maui from the ocean.
Surf With Confidence
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.
Why Take a Women’s Surf Lesson?
Surfing is about more than standing on a board. It’s about learning how to understand the ocean, becoming comfortable in the water, and building confidence through practice.
Your instructor will guide you through each part of the experience so you can learn at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Build Confidence in the Water
Surfing is about more than standing on a board. It’s about learning how to understand the ocean, becoming comfortable in the water, and building confidence through practice.
Learn Without the Pressure
Everyone learns differently. Your lesson can be adapted around your experience level, comfort in the ocean, balance, and individual goals. Whether you need extra time with the fundamentals or you’re ready to work toward catching more waves, your instruction can evolve with you.
Experience Maui From the Ocean
There’s something special about experiencing Maui from the water. Instead of simply watching the waves from the beach, you’ll have the opportunity to paddle out, learn how the ocean moves, practice your skills, and work toward experiencing your first successful rides.
Ukumehame Beach provides a beautiful West Maui setting for enjoying that experience.
Book Your Surf Lesson ↗
Choose the Surf Lesson
That Fits You
Choose the surf lesson that best fits your experience, group size, and goals. Whether you’re learning on your own, with someone you know, or with a larger group, Makai Surf Club offers personalized instruction designed to help you feel comfortable and confident in the water.
Private Surf Lessons
Personalized instruction
Enjoy a personalized one-on-one surf lesson designed around your
individual experience, comfort level, and goals.
With your instructor’s full attention throughout the session,
you’ll have the flexibility to learn at your own pace, build
confidence in the water, and work on the skills that matter most to you.
Semi-Private Surf Lessons
Personalized support for two
Learn alongside a partner, friend, sibling, 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 Surf Lessons
Made for your group
For larger groups, private group lessons provide a fun way to
experience surfing together.
Everyone can learn in a supportive environment while receiving
guidance from an experienced instructor throughout the session.
Your surf experience
starts here.
Choose the lesson that fits you best and get ready to experience Maui from the water.
What to Expect From Your Women’s Surf Lesson
Your women’s surf lesson should feel exciting, supportive, and easy to understand. At Makai Surf Club, you’ll be guided through each step so you know what to expect before heading into the water.
Meet Your Instructor
Meet your experienced Maui surf instructor, get comfortable, and prepare for your session. This is your opportunity to ask questions, talk about your experience level, and understand how the lesson will work.
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 each step clearly before you head into the water.
Practice in the Water
Take what you’ve learned into the ocean with friendly in-water guidance. You’ll work on positioning, timing, balance, and understanding how to work with the waves while receiving personalized support throughout the session.
Work Toward Your First Waves
Put your new skills together and work toward standing up, finding your balance, and enjoying your first rides. Whether you catch one wave or several, the goal is to help you feel more comfortable, confident, and excited about surfing.
Makai Surf Club provides quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards, and booties. Towels, refreshments, a safety briefing, and in-water support are also included to help make your experience comfortable from start to finish.
Why Take a Women’s Surf Lesson?
Build Confidence in the Water
Surfing is about more than standing on a board. It’s about learning how to understand the ocean, becoming comfortable in the water, and building confidence through practice.
Your instructor will guide you through each part of the experience so you can learn at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Learn Without the Pressure
Everyone learns differently.
Your lesson can be adapted around your experience level, comfort in the ocean, balance, and individual goals. Whether you need extra time with the fundamentals or you’re ready to work toward catching more waves, your instruction can evolve with you.
Experience Maui From the Ocean
There’s something special about experiencing Maui from the water.
Instead of simply watching the waves from the beach, you’ll have the opportunity to paddle out, learn how the ocean moves, practice your skills, and work toward experiencing your first successful rides.
Ukumehame Beach provides a beautiful West Maui setting for enjoying that experience.
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.
Learn From a Maui Local Who Knows the Ocean
Local experience, water knowledge, and personalized instruction come together to help you feel more confident in the ocean.
Local Experience Meets Personalized Instruction
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 you’re taking your first surf lesson or looking to improve your existing skills, instruction is built around the individual surfer rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Learn With Makai Surf Club?
Learn with guidance from someone who knows Maui and has extensive experience in the water.
No previous surfing experience is required. Lessons are designed to make the fundamentals easy to understand.
Your instruction can be adapted around your experience, comfort level, and goals.
Take your time, ask questions, practice your skills, and build confidence throughout the session.
Learn essential ocean awareness, positioning, and basic surf safety before and during your time in the water.
Surfboards are provided so you can focus on learning and enjoying the experience.
Essential equipment is provided to help keep you comfortable during your lesson.
Enjoy the added comforts provided throughout your surf experience.
Receive guidance and encouragement while practicing your skills in the ocean.
Choose an option that works for you, whether you want a one-on-one lesson or want to learn alongside someone you know.
Surf at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side while enjoying the surrounding ocean and mountain scenery.
Local experience meets personalized instruction — so you can enjoy more of your time in the water.
Women’s Surf Lessons — FAQs
Everything you need to know about women’s surf lessons with Makai Surf Club. From experience levels and lesson options to equipment, location, and what to expect in the water, we're here to make your Maui surf experience simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.
No. Women’s surf lessons are designed for first-time surfers as well as women who already have some surfing experience. Your instructor can adjust the lesson around your individual comfort level, ability, and goals so you can learn at a pace that feels right for you.
Yes. Private surf lessons are available for one surfer and provide a personalized one-on-one experience focused on your individual needs, comfort level, experience, and surfing goals. Your instructor can give you dedicated guidance throughout the entire session.
Yes. Semi-private surf lessons are designed for two surfers and are a great choice for friends, partners, siblings, or family members who want to share the experience. Group lessons are also available for multiple surfers who want to learn and enjoy the experience together.
Yes. Your instructor can provide guidance based on each person's individual needs, experience, and comfort level while keeping the session supportive and enjoyable. This allows surfers with different levels of experience to share the experience while still receiving appropriate instruction.
All Makai Surf Club surf lessons are 2 hours long. This gives you enough time to learn the fundamentals, practice your skills in the water, work on your pop-up and balance, and work toward catching waves with guidance from your instructor.
You’ll learn essential surfing skills including board positioning, paddling, pop-up technique, balance, wave awareness, positioning, ocean awareness, and basic surf safety. Your instructor will guide you through each step and adjust the lesson to your individual comfort and ability.
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. You can arrive ready to enjoy your time in the water without needing to bring your own surf equipment.
Women’s surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side. The location provides a relaxed setting for learning, practicing your surfing fundamentals, and becoming more comfortable in the ocean with personalized instruction.
Yes. Ukumehame Beach is approximately 20–25 minutes south of Lahaina and the Kaanapali Resorts, making it a convenient West Side surf location for visitors staying in those areas.
Yes. Kihei is about 15 minutes away, while Wailea is about 20 minutes away, making Ukumehame Beach a convenient option for visitors staying on Maui’s South Side.
Yes. Private group lessons are available for larger groups who want to experience surfing together. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or a larger group, the lesson can be arranged around your group so everyone can enjoy the experience together.
Yes. Photo and video can be arranged in advance for an additional fee. Please email makaisurfclub@gmail.com prior to your lesson to arrange photo or video coverage.
The youngest age we take for regular surf lessons is 5 years old. We can also offer a tandem surf session as a private lesson, where an instructor brings the child on their own board, with the child surfing on the front of the board and the instructor on the back. Kids need to be able to swim comfortably. A life jacket or water wings are only allowed during a tandem surf session.
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 Makai Surf Club West Maui meeting point when you arrive.
Conveniently Located in West Maui
Makai Surf Club is based at Ukumehame Beach in West Maui, offering a convenient and relaxed surf lesson location for visitors throughout Maui.
Our West Maui surf location is easy to reach from nearby West Maui areas, South Maui communities, and the North Shore.
Whether you are staying in West Maui or visiting from another part of the island, Ukumehame Beach provides a convenient setting to meet your instructor, get comfortable in the water, and enjoy a personalized surf lesson.
Our surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach in west Maui — a relaxed West Side setting with space to learn, practice, and enjoy the ocean.
Licensed, Local & Here for You
Makai Surf Club is permitted and insured to run surf lessons at Ukumehame, meeting the requirements set by the State of Hawaii. We take your safety and experience seriously, which is why we’re proud to operate with the proper permits and insurance for our surf lessons.
We’re also locally owned and women-owned, bringing genuine Maui knowledge, personal attention, and a love for surfing to every lesson.
State Permitted & Insured
Meeting Hawaii’s requirements for providing surf lessons.
Locally Owned & Women-Owned
Proudly rooted in Maui and locally operated.
Ready to Surf With Confidence?
Experience the ocean, learn the fundamentals, and build your confidence with a personalized women’s surf lesson from Makai Surf Club. Whether you’re surfing for the first time, learning with a friend, or simply looking for a new way to experience Maui, your next adventure starts in the water.
