Private Surf Lesson at Kalama Park in Kihei

Kalama Park is a smart place to learn because the lesson keeps the focus on you, not on a large class trying to catch the same wave. You’ll start with 10 to 15 minutes of land instruction, then spend most of the two hours in the water working on paddling, standing, and wave timing.

I like the one-on-one coaching and the fact that surf shoes and shirts are provided, with wetsuits available when possible. I also like the gentle fit for families: instructors such as Kekoa and Konan have helped children as young as 10 get standing on the board during a first lesson.

The main drawback is the price, $157.07 per person, which is a serious spend for two hours. The lesson also requires moderate physical fitness, depends on good weather, and does not include hotel transportation.

Key Points at a Glance

• A private lesson at Kalama Park: Your instructor can adjust the pace to your comfort and ability instead of teaching to a large group.
• Most of the time is in the water: The land portion lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, leaving the balance of the two-hour session for practice.
• Strong choice for first-time children: A 10-year-old grandson reportedly stood on his first try, while an 11-year-old learned enough to continue practicing independently.
• Gear is supplied: Surf shoes and surf shirts are included, with wetsuits provided depending on availability.
• Friendly named instructors: Kekoa, Konan, and Zoom are specifically associated with personal, encouraging instruction, though you should not assume a particular instructor will be assigned.
• Plan around weather: You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a refund.

Why Kalama Park Works for First-Time Surfers

Kalama Park in Kihei gives this lesson a practical setting for learning the basics. The available information describes an easy wave area, especially useful for children, rather than a session aimed at advanced surfers chasing difficult conditions.

That matters because your first lesson is less about looking stylish and more about learning a repeatable routine. You need to know how to lie on the board, paddle with control, push up, place your feet, and keep your balance. A calmer learning area gives you a better chance to think through those steps.

The private format helps here. You are not waiting for several other students to receive corrections. The instructor can watch your balance, adjust the explanation, and spend more time on the part that gives you trouble.

I would still keep expectations realistic. A single lesson cannot turn you into a polished surfer. It can, however, give you the basic movements and confidence to rent a board later and practice, which is exactly the useful vacation souvenir many beginners want.

The 10-Minute Land Lesson

The session begins with approximately 10 to 15 minutes on land. This short briefing covers surfing theory and ocean safety before you enter the water.

That opening is brief, but it is important. You learn what the board is meant to do, how to paddle, and how the stand-up movement works before you are dealing with moving water. The safety portion gives the lesson a sensible structure instead of sending a first-timer straight into the surf.

You should pay close attention here, even if you are eager to get wet. The better you understand the sequence on land, the less energy you waste trying to remember it while paddling.

For parents, this portion is also a good test of how the instructor communicates with your child. The lesson is adapted to comfort and skill level, so a child who needs extra explanation can receive it before the water work begins.

Practicing Paddling and Standing

After the land lesson, the rest of the session takes place in the water with your instructor. The stated skills are straightforward: paddling, standing up, and catching a wave.

Paddling may sound simple, but it is one of the first places beginners lose energy. Your body position on the board affects speed and balance. A private instructor can correct those small problems quickly, instead of letting you repeat them for half an hour.

Standing is the moment most first-timers care about. The goal is not just to leap up, but to move from lying down to a stable stance while the board is traveling. The lesson breaks that movement into a sequence you can repeat.

The experience is especially appealing for children who have dreamed about surfing but have never had a clear way to start. One 10-year-old reportedly got up on the first try, then spent about 90 minutes receiving continued guidance and encouragement from Kekoa. That kind of sustained attention is the real value of a private lesson.

An 11-year-old also learned enough during the session to continue independently on a later board rental. That does not mean every child will have the same result, but it shows what focused instruction can make possible for a fit, motivated beginner.

Catching Your First Wave at Your Own Pace

The final aim is catching a wave. Your instructor helps you connect the paddling and standing movements with the timing needed to ride forward.

This is where a private session can feel much more useful than a standard group class. If you catch on quickly, you can keep building on the skill. If you struggle, the instructor can slow things down and offer another explanation without holding up a line of classmates.

The lesson is tailored to your comfort and ability, but the provided details do not promise a certain number of waves or a guaranteed stand-up. Ocean conditions and your own fitness will affect the result.

I would book this with a simple goal: learn the mechanics and get a real chance to stand. If you ride several waves, enjoy that as a bonus. If you need the full session to get comfortable on the board, that is still a worthwhile first step.

The Instructors and Personal Attention

The experience is run by Maui Waveriders, based at 2021 South Kihei Road in Kihei. The lesson is private, meaning only your group participates, and you receive an instructor assigned to your session.

Several instructors receive specific praise in the supplied feedback. Kekoa worked closely with a 10-year-old for most of the water session. Konan taught a child whose grandparent had traveled from Lahaina for the lesson. Zoom is described as friendly, funny, and able to help a student get the most from the day.

Those names are useful when you are thinking about the teaching style, but they do not guarantee who will teach you. The consistent theme is personal attention, patience, and encouragement, especially with children.

That matters more than a flashy personality. A good first lesson needs an instructor who can explain a movement in plain terms, spot a mistake, and keep you willing to try again. The 5.0 rating from 42 reviews and 100 percent recommendation rate support the idea that the teaching is the strongest part of the experience.

Still, keep the rating in proportion. A perfect score is encouraging, but surfing is physical work, and your result depends on your fitness, balance, comfort in the water, and conditions on the day.

What You Get for $157.07

At $157.07 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Kihei. The price makes more sense if you place a high value on private coaching and want to learn rather than simply rent a board.

Your fee includes the instructor, the land briefing, water practice, surf shoes, and surf shirts. Wetsuits are included when available, but availability is not guaranteed. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Maui Waveriders at 2021 South Kihei Road yourself.

The strongest value comes from the time in the water. A group class may cost less per person, but a private instructor can spend the session correcting your specific technique. That is particularly helpful for a child, nervous beginner, or adult who wants a patient introduction without an audience.

For two people booking together, check the exact option carefully. The information says a minimum of two people is required for semi-private lessons, while this activity is described as private and limited to your own group. The safest move is to confirm the format at booking if you are not booking for one person.

Who Should Book This Lesson

I would choose this for a first-time surfer who wants direct help and does not mind paying for it. It is also a strong fit for families with children, based on the reported success with 10- and 11-year-olds.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Paddling and repeatedly getting up from the board take effort, and the lesson is not designed as a passive sightseeing activity.

This is less suitable if you only want a quick photo on a surfboard, if you dislike physical exertion, or if you need guaranteed warm clothing. Surf shirts and shoes are supplied, but wetsuits are only available when possible.

It also suits a traveler staying in or near Kihei better than someone hoping for a fully escorted outing from another part of Maui. There is no hotel transportation, and the meeting point is both the start and finish.

Booking Timing, Weather, and Cancellation

The experience is booked an average of 22 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your Maui schedule is tight or you specifically want a private session. You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. Since surf conditions can change, do not wait until the last minute if your plans are uncertain.

Practical Tips for a Better Session

Arrive ready for activity, since the lesson moves from a short land briefing into extended water practice. Give yourself enough time to find Maui Waveriders at 2021 South Kihei Road without arriving rushed.

Wear or bring whatever personal items you need for the time before and after the lesson, since only the listed surf gear is included. The supplied details confirm surf shoes and shirts, plus wetsuits if available, but they do not list hotel transport or additional personal equipment.

Tell the instructor your comfort level at the start. If you are nervous, say so. If you already have some experience, explain what you can and cannot do. The private format works best when the instructor knows what you need.

For parents, stay involved during check-in because children must be accompanied by an adult for that part of the process. The lesson can be adapted to a child’s ability, but the child still needs to meet the physical demands of paddling and standing.

Should You Book Maui Waveriders?

Book it if you want the best possible chance to learn the basics during a single Maui lesson, especially for a child or first-time surfer. The private coaching, included gear, short safety briefing, and extended water time make the $157.07 price easier to justify than a basic board rental.

Skip it if you are mainly looking for a low-cost beach activity or if you need hotel pickup. Also think twice if your schedule cannot handle a weather-related change.

For a motivated beginner, this is a focused introduction with a realistic payoff: you may stand, catch a wave, and leave knowing enough to practice again. That is a good result from two hours in Kihei.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

It begins at Maui Waveriders, located at 2021 S Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753.

Where does the activity end?

The lesson ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the surf lesson last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $157.07 per person.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. The activity is described as private, and only your group participates.

Is equipment included?

Surf shoes and surf shirts are included. Wetsuits are provided when available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Do children need an adult present?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult for check-in.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.