Cove Park Surfing Lessons

Cove Park in Kihei is Maui's premier beginner surf break and the spot where most families take their first surf lessons. Small, consistent waves break over a sandy bottom in waist-to-chest-deep water, creating ideal learning conditions. Multiple surf schools operate from this beach, and the instruction quality is consistently high.

A typical surf lesson lasts 2 hours. The first 20-30 minutes are on the beach: instructors teach paddling technique, the pop-up (going from lying on the board to standing), and wave selection. Then you are in the water.

Instructors stand in the shallow break zone, position students, push them into waves, and provide real-time coaching. Most kids ages 6+ stand up and ride a wave during their first lesson.

The waves at Cove Park rarely exceed 2-3 feet, and the sandy bottom makes wipeouts safe. Beginners are in waist-to-chest-deep water -- they can always stand up if they fall off the board. Instructors are experienced with children and create a fun, encouraging atmosphere. The focus is on catching waves and having fun, not on technical perfection.

Group lessons typically have 3-4 students per instructor and cost $80-100 per person. Private lessons (1-2 students per instructor) run $150-200 per person and offer more personalized attention. Both include surfboard, rash guard, and instruction. Most families find group lessons entirely adequate for first-time surfers.

The surfing experience extends beyond the lesson. Kids who catch their first waves walk off the beach with a unique sense of accomplishment. Many families book a second lesson on a subsequent day -- the improvement between lessons is dramatic as muscle memory kicks in. By the end of two lessons, most kids are catching and riding waves independently.

Cove Park is on the south shore of Maui in Kihei, convenient to accommodations in the Kihei and Wailea areas. Multiple surf schools compete for business here, including Maui Surfer Girls, Big Kahuna Adventures, and Rivers to the Sea. Quality is consistent across operators -- choose based on schedule and availability.