1.5 Hours • Available every Friday of the January School Holidays
Introduce kids to surfing in a safe, playful 1.5-hour lesson at Paekakariki Beach — softboards and warm wetsuits included. Perfect for families visiting the Kapiti Coast looking for a relaxed, confidence-building ocean experience.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for school-aged children with basic water comfort; little prior fitness required but ability to paddle and follow instructions helps.
Wildlife
History
The place name Paekakariki means 'parakeet perch' in te reo Māori and the town has long been a coastal transit point on the Kapiti Coast.
Conservation
The Kapiti coastline has sensitive dune ecosystems and important seabird habitat; stick to marked accessways, keep dogs under control, and follow local guidance to protect nesting areas.
Wellington Surf Lessons
1.5 Hours • Available every Friday of the January School Holidays
Wellington Surf Lessons is a surf school in Wellington, New Zealand that runs surf programs at Lyall Bay and on the Kapiti Coast. The business offers a mix of lessons designed for families, kids, women, and individuals seeking private instruction. Offerings include a Kids Surf & Skate Holiday Program at Lyall Bay and Kapiti Coast, regular kids' lessons and calendars, a women's lesson calendar, private surf lessons at Lyall Bay, and an online booking calendar for scheduling.
The curriculum focuses on water safety, ocean awareness, paddling technique, pop-up mechanics and wave selection. Sessions use progressive coaching methods so beginners build skills reliably and intermediate surfers refine technique. Classes are weather- and surf-dependent to ensure safe, appropriate conditions. Equipment is provided appropriate to participants’ age and ability, with soft-top boards for learners and suitable wetsuits where required.
Wellington Surf Lessons emphasizes a supportive learning environment, small group formats for scheduled lessons, and personalized attention in private sessions. The kids' Surf & Skate Holiday Program combines skate coaching with surf lessons to develop balance and board control while creating a social experience for participants. Women's lessons are structured to be encouraging and communal, with flexible scheduling from mid-October.
Booking is managed through a calendar system that lists available dates for Lyall Bay lessons. The business provides reliable, local surf instruction focused on skill development, safety and fun.
Locations
Lyall Bay, Kapiti
Lessons run at two coastal locations
Seasonal Programs
Mid-Oct & January
Start windows for lesson series
Programs Offered
Kids, Women, Private
Range of lesson types available
Booking
Lyall Bay Calendar
Online scheduling for lessons
Check the Lyall Bay booking calendar to reserve kids' programs, women's classes, or private lessons and secure a preferred date.
Arrive early to suit up
Get to the access point 15–20 minutes early so instructors can fit wetsuits and run a safety briefing before hitting the water.
Sun protection matters
Apply reef-safe sunscreen before the lesson and bring a hat for post-surf shade; UV can be strong even on cool days.
Pack a change of clothes
Bring dry clothes and a towel for kids to warm up quickly after the session to prevent chill.
Keep group sizes small
Book early to secure a slot — smaller groups mean more instructor attention and faster skill progression.
Swimwear
Wear under a wetsuit so kids are comfortable on and off the board.
Towel & dry change of clothes
Essential to warm up and get dry after the lesson.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects young skin from strong coastal sun reflected off water and sand.
summer
Small waterproof camera or phone in a dry bag
Capture first rides and action shots from the shoreline without risking gear.