My kids (ages 6 and 9) had a great experience at this surf camp. They will meet your kid where they are at and encourage them without any pressure. And the location is hard to beat...Highly recommend Maui Surf Academy! read more

Matt and his team (Baylee and Nathan you rock) are so fabulous!!! My oldest daughter was already standing up on day 2 of 5! They kept the kids engaged and inspired to learn. Overall excellent customer service. We will be back next year! read more

Amazing lesson! Gave me really great advice, not just on how to stand up on my board, but on safety, keeping the locals happy, and ways to conserve my energy. I caught a few good waves! read more

At 42 years old I didn't think I could still learn to surf. I had tried off and on since I was a kid but could never really get it. Matt takes the time to teach you the proper mechanics and how to read the ocean. I had to take one step back to take two steps forward. I had to unlearn years of bad technique. He got me up and riding real waves with the big kids! But best of all it's super fun! I always leave my lessons with Matt feeling stoked on surfing and on life. My kids are doing lessons with him too and it's really awesome to see them surfing! Now it's something we can do as a family and that's so awesome. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Matt, his team and the camp itself. My two children (ages 10 and 7) have been coming to Maui Surf Academy camps for the last few summers and every year their skills improve and every year they hate when it's over. We've referred several local families and they've all loved the experience just as much. If you're looking for a camp for your beginner to intermediate surfer that will stretch them to grow while also allowing for plenty of fun, this is the place. Thanks Matt! read more

Matt was awesome! we had 4 kids in surf camp and they all loved it! Matt did really well helping these 1st time surfers feel comfortable in the water. the location was great too, nice Sandy bottom for a soft landing. there was a bathroom and parking was easy. the water actually wasn't as cold and I thought it would be. I was able to surf without a wet suit. overall, we would definitely do it again! thanks Matt! read more

Matt is the absolute man and I love taking surf lessons with him! It is because of his passion to share his experience and knowledge that makes him such an amazing teacher. I highly recommend Matt as your surfing instructor. He is easy going, a brilliant surfer himself and a man of good character. read more

My seven and nine-year old nephews wanted to get in the water during their visit here from back east. I got a lesson with Matt Allen. He did an amazing job. He made the technique for standing up on a board instantly relatable to the boys by drawing parallels to standing in the batter's box. Surf conditions were definitely less than favorable but Matt was able to manage both kids so they got equal time and attention. He was able to keep both kids' attention the entire time and keep them on task (definitely no small feat). Both kids were standing up on their first series in the water. Great pricing and he brings all the gear you need. I highly recommend using Matt. read more

You will surf... I went along to Swami's beach last weekend with my wife and 15 year old daughter for a lesson with Matt. We had lessons before without ever really getting up on our boards. Matt's approach was very different to what we had experienced previously and the results were amazing. After a simple beach lesson we took it in turns to go out in the water with Matt for 3 attempts at surfing. My wife got up on the board and rode in all three times straight off. My daughter and I were both successful too, although not quite that good. We had a great time taking further turns until we were worn out and we will be going back for more. Matt is a great guy and his methods really work; this is where to go to learn to surf. read more

We just spent the last several weeks in the Carlsbad / Encinitas area. A local friend had recommended Matt for surf lessons & coaching for our 11 year old daughter Riley. As parents, having taken Riley to other places before safety was our number one concern, and Matt was very attentive to every situation and would rather cancel a lesson than take a child into condition they aren't ready for. Starting with the first lesson our daughter felt comfortable and safe. All of this led my daughter to want to continue with Matt as often as the conditions permitted (she would have gone everyday if it were up to her) During the time spent, Riley's skills and abilities progressed substantially. There is no doubt that if you want to learn to surf for a one time thing (although you will probably get hooked) or if you are looking to improve your abilities Matt and the instructors at Maui Surf Academy will exceed your expectations. Looking forward to having Riley surf with Matt next time we come to California. read more

These guys are top notch! A group of us went out for a surfing event put on by the Lions Club. Maui surf Academy was there teaching the visually impaired how to surf! I'm 52, never on a board. lost in the water and HAD A BLAST!! they sent me though a couple of times! it's great... I'LL do it again . Thanks Maui surf & Lions Club read more

This was my first surf lesson and it was awesome! I stood up every single time! I highly recommend Maui Surf Academy for any age. Matt is a great instructor, he is patient but also pushes you to gain confidence and feel comfortable in the water. Matt provided all the equipment so you don't have to worry about that if you're just starting to surf. I am already signing up for my next surf lesson with him! I feel safe with Matt but I also feel that I will gain the confidence & experience necessary to get out there on my own. His prices are unbeatable and you'll get every pennies worth when you're out on the water. Can't wait for my next lesson! read more

My daughter and I had a great first surfing lesson with Matt. After a short ground lesson and a thorough briefing on the surfing channel and how not to get in the way of other surfers when we track back, we both got to catch a few waves and even stand up (for more than one second:) on our boards and start to experience what surfing is all about. Matt helped us pick the right size waves and was all about safety and fun. We signed up for more! read more

If you want to learn how to surf or advance your skills, look no further and request Matt as your instructor now! I'm a beginner surfer and Matt had me riding waves on my first lesson! He had all of the gear covered, guided me through the basics on the beach, and before I knew it we were in the water catching waves. Matt is a fun dude, really knows his stuff, and has everything dialed in to make sure you have the best experience possible. After my first lesson, I've immediately signed up for a 4 lesson package and am super stoked to get back in the water with Matt and learn more! read more

Our 6 and 8-year-old boys are LOVING their week at camp w/ Matt and his crew at Maui Surf Academy. We couldn't be happier with the lessons and the 3:1 ratio is giving our boys so much time on the waves that they are gaining great confidence in the water everyday. The vibe is fun and relaxed and the kids are excited to go back each day. As parents we feel that we are putting our boys in a safe setting with instructors that are caring and knowledgeable. Thanks Maui Surf Academy for a great start to the summer! read more

Matt makes surfing look SO easy and fun! he and John had me and my 3 daughters up and catching waves after just 15-20 minutes of land lessons. I couldn't have asked for a nicer and fun set of instructors who make surfing feel like its as natural as riding a bike. My youngest is 7 and when she started getting hesitant he got up on the board with her. The other two girls are 10 and he and John helped them drop their inhibitions and stand up on the board immediately. We decided at about 9:30 am that we wanted to try surfing and after a quick phone call we scheduled a 1:30 lesson that same day. It was perfect because we were also leaving the very next day. Of course now we didn't want to leave we wanted to surf more! read more

I have had a few coaching sessions with Coach Matt now and I am learning a ton. He is an awesome longboarder and shortboarder which is hard to find in a coach. I have been working on footwork and style in preparation for local coalition contests and Matt has given me excellent instruction on how to implement with intention. He knows how to read the waves, the crowds and share the aloha. I feel safe with him in the water guiding me into steeper take offs and paddling for ripples that turn into the worlds longest rides. My surfing has improved tremendously with just a few sessions. Even if you are a seasoned surfer, Matt can teach you something. Cannot recommend him enough! read more

I highly recommend Maui Surf Academy as a great place to learn surfing for young and old (or should I say young-at-heart) alike. Matt and staff are like surf gurus, ever patient and laid back, full of wise little pointers that help get you standing on those surf boards in no time. Matt is a little overwhelmed by the response to their recent online marketing, so booking a reservation may require a few phone calls and some patience, but once you are there, be prepared for an amazing experience. My friend and I sure did! We can't wait to go back. FYI for out-of-town folks: Meeting spot is at Swami's Park, NOT Swami's Cafe in Encinitas. read more

We took our 11-year-old daughter for a private lesson on Friday 4/4/14. Matt was the instructor. The experience was awesome for her. It was her first time surfing and she was very nervous/excited. Matt took her through a thorough instruction session on the beach, allowing her to learn the techniques and gain confidence, and then quickly took her out to the waves. She did great. Matt, the owner, is down to earth and great with kids and didn't simply go through the motions for the allotted time. In fact, he stayed after the official lesson time allowing her to continue to practice. I would recommend the Maui Surf Academy to anyone looking to learn to surf. Tony Stinsa read more

Matt had our 7yr old surfing waves in the fist lesson . He's funny, personable and an expert surfer himself.

I began my private lessons with Matt sometime around August of 2016. I had seen him out surfing once or twice, so I knew he was a great surfer. What I found is that he taught me not only to surf, but to compete in any sport and to respect others. He helped me develop my mindset for competitions, and I went from being eliminated my first heat every contest to placing somewhat regularly. Matt is an amazing surfer and teacher, but an even better friend. read more

We booked a two hour surf lesson for our nine year old son -- it was an amazing experience, and one we are definitely going to repeat! Matt was so calm and empowering -- he had D in the water riding in wave after wave in no time. D was a bit unsure about the waves and ocean after being slammed by a big wave last year, so I was even more impressed with Matt for giving him the confidence he needed to paddle out there and get up on the board. Thank you, Matt, and Maui Surf Academy, for giving my son confidence on the board and in the water! read more

After my parent's surprised me with surf lessons for my birthday from Maui Surf Academy, I was really excited to try it out. Brendan Jenks was my instructor and he did a phenomenal job with the lessons. The first lesson he had me riding the board with no issues, and the second lesson he took me out to surf with the other surfers to catch some larger waves. It was an awesome experience I will never forget, and I can't wait to go back. read more