The short version: Kids can start surfing at Waco Surf at age 5 in a Learn to Surf session (max four kids per coach, soft top and push-ins included), and at 6 in a Beginner session or on the Shredmill. On the water park side, the lazy river has no age limit, the kids area has smaller slides and a shallow pool, and The Wedge slides require riders to be 44 inches tall. Life jackets are free, required for anyone 52 inches and under, and required for every rider on The Wedge. Guests under 16 need a legal guardian on site, and lifeguards staff both the surf lagoon and the water park.
Waco Surf is a 450 acre surf resort about 90 minutes from Dallas and Austin, and a lot of families arrive with the same two questions: how old does my kid need to be, and how tall? This guide answers both for every part of the property, then covers what to book, what to bring and how to make it an overnight.
Age and height rules at a glance
| Activity | Minimum | Flotation and safety gear |
|---|---|---|
| Learn to Surf session | Age 5, able to swim 15 meters | Available on request |
| Beginner surf session | Age 6, able to swim 25 meters | Required for guests 52 inches and under; leash or life jacket for everyone in the lagoon |
| Shredmill (stationary wave) | Age 6 | Helmets available in the lobby |
| Lazy River | No age limit; everyone rides a tube | Required for children under 52 inches |
| The Wedge slides | 44 inches tall | Required for all riders |
| Kids area (smaller slides and shallow pool) | Built for little ones | Required for guests 52 inches and under |
| Swim zone in the surf lagoon | Front, non-wave area only | Flotation device required for everyone |
Two rules apply everywhere: children may not be left unattended, and guests under 16 must have a legal guardian on site. Children under 12 must be supervised in the surf lagoon. Swim diapers are required for any diaper-dependent guest.
Learning to surf at 5
The Learn to Surf session is built for kids with no surfing experience. It runs one hour and starts at $75. A surf instructor is in the water with a maximum of four kids, gives pre-session instruction before the water, then pushes each child into gentle shore break, one surfer per wave. A soft top board is included, life jackets are available on request, and the promise is simple: get up or get your money back. The only requirements are a minimum age of 5 and the ability to swim at least 15 meters.
From age 6, kids who are ready to paddle for themselves can book a Beginner session on The Coaster, a gentle, rolling wave with whitewater and small face waves. Beginner sessions start at $129, include a soft top longboard, cap out at 15 surfers, and require the ability to swim 25 meters. Our guide to learning to surf at Waco Surf walks through a first lesson start to finish.
Parents do not need a surf session to watch. A Surfer Companion Beach Pass gets you onto the beach with a swim zone, cabanas and cornhole while your kid surfs, and Flowstate films every wave in the pool, so you can buy the photos and video afterward (downloads start at $29). Waves break in waist to ankle deep water and lifeguards staff the wave pool.
The water park side
The water park is seasonal. In 2026 it runs May 9 through September 13, noon to 6pm Monday through Friday and 11am to 7pm on weekends and holidays. Last entry to the lazy river is one hour before close, and the last crossing to the beach area is 30 minutes before close.
The Lazy River
One mile of floating with no age limit. Everyone rides a tube for the whole float, and we supply inner tubes with headrests and cup holders free of charge. Cooler tubes are available to rent so your snacks float with you. The river averages about 42 inches deep, and children under 52 inches must wear a life jacket.
The Wedge
Waco’s biggest waterslide is a 70 foot mega slide with four lanes, so the whole crew can race. Riders must be at least 44 inches tall, and life jackets are required for every rider regardless of age or ability. One rider enters at a time, no loose items, and no clothing with exposed zippers, buckles or rivets.
Made for the littles
Kids who are not tall enough for The Wedge have smaller slides and a safe, shallow kids pool of their own. Life jackets are required for guests 52 inches and under, and the water is filtered with the same three-phase system as the surf lagoon: disk filtration, media filtration, then ozone and chlorine.
Passes
Water Park Passes are sold for individuals and families, along with Beach Passes, Water Park and Beach Combo Passes and Season Passes. You can buy at the gate, but buying online and signing your digital waiver before you arrive saves time. Active and veteran military get 10% off Water Park Passes with valid ID, purchased on site. [CONFIRM before publishing: insert current 2026 Water Park Pass prices for adults, kids and the family package from the booking system. Third-party listings this summer quoted $39 per adult, $14 per child and $99 for a family of four; verify and use the official figures.]
Bring the cooler
Coolers are welcome on the water park side with food and drinks, as long as there is no glass anywhere on property. Propane or gas grills are allowed on the water park side (never on the surf side, and no charcoal anywhere), and you can bring chairs, canopies, tents and a beach trolley. The Wedge Grill serves burgers and fries during water park hours. There are no lockers yet, so most families bring a waterproof pouch for phones, keys and cards. Parking in the back lot is free; VIP parking up front is $20 a day in peak season.
Beach, lemurs and everything in between
The beach on the surf lagoon side is the easiest place to spend a lazy hour: lounging, swimming in the swim zone, cornhole and sandcastles. Coolers with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are fine on the surf and beach side; alcohol is sold, not brought, on this side. Umbrellas and tents are welcome as long as you use weighted bases rather than pushing poles into the sand.
Then there are the lemurs. Kids can watch them leap, climb and explore their habitat from the shore of Lemur Lake, or join a guided encounter to learn about their personalities and behaviors. It is a favorite with kids and a reliable way to fill the gap between a surf session and the slides.
Rounding out the list: stocked lakes with bass, catfish and crappie (fishing pole rentals and bait at the front desk, and hot dogs are the local favorite for catfish), rental bikes including kids bikes from the lobby on a first come, first served basis, lagoon-side pickleball courts, and a Kids Club listed among our on-site activities; email info@wacosurf.com for the current schedule. Our full activities list has the rest, including horseback riding with a nearby ranch and a skate park that is coming soon.
Staying overnight with kids
Families who stay on site get three things day visitors do not: priority access to book surf sessions before they open to the public, complimentary Beach Passes for everyone in the room, and 50% off Water Park Passes purchased on site. The lodging lineup covers hotel rooms for 2 to 4 people, the Malibu and Trestles suites for 4 to 6, cabins from 2 to 14 people, and the Lake House and Road House for 10 to 12.
For the practical stuff: cots are $10 plus tax and Pack ‘n Plays are $15 plus tax per reservation, available on request if you email ahead. Cabins 1 through 5 have kitchenettes with a microwave, mini fridge and basic dishes; Cabins 6 and 7, the Lake House and the Road House have full kitchens. Check-in is 3pm, check-out is 11am, and every unit is non-smoking. You are staying in the middle of hundreds of acres of Texas landscape, so keep doors closed, keep food sealed, and have the kids wear shoes in wooded areas. Our Stay and Surf guide has a two-day family itinerary.
Safety, in plain terms
- Lifeguards staff the surf lagoon and the water park, and helmets are available in the lobby for surfers who want one.
- Waves break in waist to ankle deep water, and sets are spaced so surfers can clear the impact zone before the next group goes.
- Life jackets are free. They are required for anyone 52 inches and under, for every rider on The Wedge, and for children under 52 inches on the lazy river. Everyone in the surf lagoon needs a flotation device, either a life jacket or a leash attached to a board.
- All water is treated with disk filtration, media filtration, ozone and chlorine.
- If lightning is detected within 10 miles, everyone clears the water. We operate rain or shine otherwise.
- No glass anywhere, and a zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking.
- Every guest signs a waiver before using any attraction. The full list is on our park rules page, and the FAQ covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How old do kids have to be to surf at Waco Surf?
Five for a Learn to Surf session, with an instructor pushing them into gentle shore break. Six for a Beginner session on The Coaster or a Shredmill session. Both surf sessions require basic swimming ability: 15 meters for Learn to Surf, 25 meters for Beginner.
How tall do you have to be for the slides at Waco Surf?
The Wedge slides require riders to be at least 44 inches tall, with a life jacket on every rider. The kids area has smaller slides and a shallow pool for children who are not tall enough yet.
Is there an age limit for the lazy river?
No. Everyone must ride a tube, and children under 52 inches must wear a life jacket. Tubes are free.
Do kids need life jackets at Waco Surf?
Guests 52 inches and under must wear one, and they are free. Every rider on The Wedge wears one regardless of height. In the surf lagoon, everyone needs a flotation device, which for surfers is the leash attached to their board.
Can parents watch without paying for a surf session?
Yes. A Surfer Companion Beach Pass covers the beach, the swim zone, cabanas and games while your child surfs.
Can we bring our own food?
Yes. Coolers are welcome on both sides of the property with no glass. On the surf and beach side, bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. On the water park side, coolers can include beer and seltzers for adults, and gas grills are allowed.
Do children need an adult with them?
Yes. Children may not be left unattended, guests under 16 must have a legal guardian on site, and children under 12 must be supervised in the surf lagoon.
Ready to plan it? Book a Learn to Surf session for the kids, grab your water park passes, and come find your family’s wave.