Maui: 2-Hour Beginner Group Surf Lessons with Equipment

Two Hours to Ride Your First Wave in Lahaina

You arrive early to gear up, spend two hours in the water learning pop-up technique and ocean awareness with a professional instructor, and leave having ridden at least one wave. All equipment is provided, and the lesson is built around fundamentals you can build on later. The school has been teaching in Lahaina since 1994.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beginner group surf lesson in Maui

• Arrive 30 minutes early to check-in
• Get fitted with rash guard and gear
• Attend 2-hour beginner surf lesson
• Learn surfing safety and ocean awareness
• Practice standing up and riding waves

The experience

You show up thirty minutes before your lesson time at Goofy Foot Surf School in Lahaina, Maui, already in your swim clothes. The staff hands you a rash guard, walks you through the basics on the sand, and then you're in the water with an instructor who's been teaching this since 1994. The school was founded by Tim Sherer to keep the ancient Hawaiian sport alive, and you can feel that intention in how they teach, not rushing, not performing, just focused on getting you to stand up safely and ride at least one wave.

The two-hour lesson moves at a pace that actually works. You start in shallow water learning the pop-up motion, the weight distribution, how to read the ocean. Your instructor watches your form, corrects your stance, and then guides you into waves. The guarantee isn't marketing talk: they've built the lesson around technique and fundamentals that stick with you after you leave. Even if you've never surfed, even if you're nervous about the ocean, the focus on safety and ocean awareness means you're not just being thrown in. You're learning something you can use to keep improving on your own.

All the gear comes with the lesson: board, rash guard, everything. You bring sunscreen, water, and a towel. The school is wheelchair accessible, and there's public transportation nearby if you don't have a rental car. Kids as young as nine can join the group. Anyone younger needs a private lesson, which keeps the group size manageable and the instruction personal. By the end of those two hours, you've stood up, you've ridden, and you've got the foundation to keep going if you want to.

What’s included

• Your lesson includes all surfing equipment (board and rash guard) plus professional instruction focused on safety, ocean awareness, and surfing technique.
• You'll spend two hours in the water with an instructor, with 30 minutes of check-in and gear fitting beforehand.
• The school has been operating in Lahaina since 1994.

Options for this experience

5 options

Surf lessons for a group of 1Guide in 4 languages · 08:00 and 10:30

Surf lessons for a group of 2Up to 2 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:00 and 10:30

Surf lessons for a group of 3Up to 3 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:00 and 10:30

See 2 more options

Surf lessons for a group of 4Up to 4 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:00 and 10:30

Surf lessons for a group of 5Up to 5 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:00 and 10:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs Monday to Saturday at 08:00 and 10:30, from US$ 125 per group, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 59 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and PortugueseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Goofy Foot Surf School, Inc

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to try surfing without renting a board separately or figuring out technique on your own: the two-hour format and guaranteed wave ride fit a single morning or afternoon, and the fundamentals-based teaching means you'll know what to work on if you come back.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Do I need to know how to swim to take a group lesson?

The lesson focuses on surfing fundamentals in the water, so basic comfort in the ocean is helpful. Contact the school directly if you have concerns about your swimming ability.

What's the age requirement for group lessons?

Students must be 9 years or older for group lessons. Children 8 and under require a private one-on-one lesson.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and a towel. Wear your swim attire. The school provides the rash guard and board.

How long is the lesson?

Two hours total. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and get fitted with gear.

Is the lesson guaranteed to get me standing on a wave?

Yes. The school guarantees you'll stand up and ride at least one wave, and typically students ride more.

Where is Goofy Foot located?

The school is in Lahaina, Maui. Public transportation options are available nearby.

Is the school wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring my infant or small child?

Infants and small children can come along in a pram or stroller, though they won't be in the water during the lesson.