Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

At Playa de las Américas, your first surf lesson starts close to the water and quickly moves from board work on the beach to catching waves. The two-hour class suits complete beginners, yet instructors such as Kaia, Juan, Martin, and Marco also adjust advice for stronger surfers.

I like the small maximum of six people, which gives you a fair chance to receive help in the water. I also like that the board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, insurance, snack, shower, and photos are included in the $40 price.

The main thing to consider is the beach itself. Playa de las Américas can have plenty of other people in the water, so you need to watch your surroundings. This lesson is also not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women.

Key points before you book

• Only six people per group: A small class gives the instructor more time to correct your paddling, timing, and pop-up.
• A short walk to the beach: Shaka Surf Tenerife is about 30 meters from the waves, so you do not need hotel transport or a long equipment haul.
• Twenty minutes of theory first: You learn board position, paddling, and standing technique before entering the water.
• Friendly beginner coaching: Kaia, Juan, Martin, and other instructors focus on calm explanations, patience, and safety.
• Photos are included: You receive pictures from the session, although one participant reported waiting for them.
• Good value at $40: Equipment, clothing, instruction, insurance, a snack, water, and a post-surf shower are covered.

Why Playa de las Américas works for a first surf lesson

Surfing looks simple from the beach. Lie on the board, paddle, rise, and ride. The reality is more demanding, since your timing, balance, body position, and awareness of the water all have to work together.

That is why a lesson makes more sense than hiring a board and trying to work it out alone. At Shaka Surf Tenerife, you begin near Playa de las Américas, one of the practical advantages of this class. The school is only about 30 meters from the waves, so the lesson spends less time moving equipment and more time teaching.

You also avoid the awkward first question of which board to choose. The school supplies the surfboard and the clothing needed for the water. You bring swimwear and a towel, then arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start at the Shaka Surf Tenerife school.

The setting is in the south of Tenerife, an area with many beach activities and plenty of people around. That gives the lesson an easy holiday feel, but it also means you should stay alert in the water. One participant specifically found there were many people to watch out for. This is not a quiet, private surf break.

The first 20 minutes: learning what the board is asking you to do

The class begins with theory for about 20 minutes. That may sound like a slow start when you are eager to reach the sea, but it is useful time. You learn how to lie on the board, where to place yourself, how to paddle, and how to position your body.

The instructors also explain the takeoff, often called the pop-up. You need to move from lying down to a stable crouch or standing position without placing your feet in the wrong place or losing the board. Practising the movement before the board is moving under you makes the first attempts less confusing.

You also learn how to paddle correctly. Beginners often use too much arm strength, shift too far forward, or let the board nose sink. Clear instruction on these basic points can save a lot of wasted effort once you are in the water.

The teaching style is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Kaia is repeatedly praised for patient, friendly explanations, and for making the theory section interesting. Martin and Juan are also singled out for helping complete beginners reach their feet on the board during one lesson.

Do not read that as a promise that you will surf perfectly after two hours. Conditions, fitness, balance, and confidence vary. It does mean the class is built around practical progress rather than a long lecture.

Wetsuit, water shoes, and warm-up

After the initial briefing, you receive a wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra. The wetsuit helps keep you comfortable in the Atlantic, while the other items provide extra protection and make moving around the beach easier.

You will need to bring your own swimwear and towel. The school provides a shower after the session, which is a welcome detail if you have plans later in the day. A small snack and water are also included, so you do not need to arrange refreshments during the lesson.

Before entering the sea, the group completes a warm-up. This is not just a formality. Surfing asks your shoulders, legs, core, and balance to work hard, and a warm-up gives you a chance to loosen up before making repeated attempts.

The practical order is sensible:

• Arrive at the school 15 minutes early.
• Receive the surf equipment and clothing.
• Complete roughly 20 minutes of theory.
• Warm up on the beach.
• Enter the water with the instructors.
• Return to the school for a shower and the remaining arrangements.

The full experience lasts two hours. That includes preparation and instruction, so the time in the water is not the entire two-hour period. Even so, the structure gives a beginner enough time to practise the main movements without turning the lesson into an exhausting half-day commitment.

In the water with a group of six

The group limit matters more here than it would on a walking tour. In the sea, you need personal corrections, encouragement, and reminders about safety. A class of up to six allows the instructor to watch each person more closely than a large beach group.

The teaching is adjusted to your level. If you have never surfed, the instructor focuses on safe board handling, paddling, timing, and getting into a stable position. If you have some experience, you can tell the coach what you want to improve.

That personal request is worth making at the beginning. You might need help with your takeoff, turning, paddling efficiency, or selecting a better moment to catch a wave. The school describes the instruction as personalised, so do not remain silent if you have a particular goal.

For first-timers, the biggest win may simply be rising on the board for a few seconds. Several people found that careful explanations and repeated coaching helped them reach that point in their first lesson. Parents also describe positive instruction for children, including a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old, though the supplied information does not give a formal minimum age.

Safety receives regular attention. Instructors are certified, and insurance is included. Kaia, Juanito, and other teachers are praised for checking on surfers and keeping people comfortable in the water. That support is especially valuable when a wave feels larger or faster than expected.

Still, you remain responsible for following instructions. This is an ocean lesson, not a controlled swimming pool session. You must be able to swim, keep aware of nearby people, and accept that wave conditions can affect how much you achieve.

Coaching that keeps beginners moving

The best surf instruction is not just a list of commands. You need a coach who can explain one change at a time, notice when you are anxious, and give you a reason to try again after a missed wave.

That is the tone associated with this school. Kaia is described as patient and attentive, particularly with first-timers and younger participants. Martin and Juan are credited with helping people go from zero to standing on the board. Nacho and Kaia also receive praise for clear communication during larger waves.

The names matter because they give you a sense of the team, but instructor assignments can change. You should not book on the assumption that one particular teacher will lead your class. The useful takeaway is that the school has several instructors who are repeatedly praised for warmth, patience, and practical advice.

You will probably hear plenty of short corrections in the water. Move your feet here. Paddle harder. Keep your chest up. Look forward. These small changes are easier to use when the coach has already shown you the movement on land.

The class also appears suitable for friends or family members with different confidence levels. One parent and child both enjoyed a first lesson, with extra attention given to the child. A pair of friends also managed to catch waves during their first attempt after the instructor explained the steps carefully.

The photo package: a nice extra with one caution

Photos are included in the price, and that makes this more than a lesson you remember only through tired legs and a damp wetsuit. Surfing photos can show your position on the board and give you a record of the day, even if your best ride lasted only a few seconds.

There is one practical caution. One participant said the photos had not arrived yet at the time of writing their feedback. The information does not explain the delivery schedule or method, so ask the school through WhatsApp if you need to know when and how the pictures will be sent.

I would treat the photos as a welcome extra, not the main reason to book. The real value is the lesson and the equipment. If the pictures arrive promptly, they are a bonus that makes the $40 price feel even better.

Is $40 a fair price?

At $40 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour group lesson in a major beach area. You are not paying only for time in the water. The fee covers the surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, theory instruction, certified instructors, insurance, water, a snack, a shower, and photos.

Hiring equipment separately would give you less direction and would not teach you how to handle the board safely. For a beginner, that makes the lesson a better use of money than simply renting a board and guessing your way through the first hour.

The small group also improves the value. A low price with 15 or 20 people would be less attractive, since you might spend much of the lesson waiting. With no more than six participants, you have a better chance of receiving direct coaching.

There are limits. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the school yourself. The meeting point is clear, but the school asks you to send a WhatsApp message for more details about the exact meeting arrangements.

The reservation system lets you book now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours before the class for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your Tenerife schedule depends on weather or other plans, though you should still check the available start times before committing.

Who should book this lesson?

I would recommend this class most strongly to:

• First-time surfers who want a clear introduction rather than a solo experiment.
• Couples or friends looking for an active two-hour outing.
• Families with children who can swim and are comfortable following water instructions.
• Beginners who value included equipment and do not want to pack specialist gear.
• Intermediate surfers who want focused help with a specific technique.

You should think twice if you are a non-swimmer. The experience is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and ocean confidence is essential even with instructors present.

Pregnant women should also avoid this activity, since it is not suitable for them. If you have another health concern, the provided information does not give a medical policy, so contact the school before booking.

This is also not the right choice if you want a private lesson. The experience is a small group class, not a one-to-one coaching session. Six people is a manageable number, but you will still share the instructor’s attention.

Practical ways to get more from the two hours

Arrive early, not at the scheduled minute. You are asked to reach the school 15 minutes before class, and that time lets you change, receive equipment, and begin without rushing.

Wear swimwear that remains comfortable under a wetsuit. Bring a towel, and keep the day’s schedule flexible enough that you do not need to sprint to another appointment immediately afterward.

Listen closely during the theory section. It is tempting to treat those 20 minutes as a delay, but the explanations about board position and paddling will make the water portion easier.

Tell the instructor what you want to learn. If you are a beginner, say so plainly. If you have surfed before, explain the part that gives you trouble. The class is designed to adjust to different abilities, and the coach cannot tailor the advice if you do not share your goal.

Expect to miss some waves. That is normal. The useful measure is not how long you ride on the first try, but whether you understand why a wave worked or failed and can make a better attempt next time.

Finally, keep your expectations tied to the sea conditions and your own balance. Several people managed to rise on their first lesson, but no surf school can guarantee a particular number of waves or a perfect ride.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson meet?

Meet at the Shaka Surf Tenerife school in Playa de las Américas. The school is about 30 meters from the waves, and you should arrive 15 minutes before the class begins.

How long does the experience last?

The lesson lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra. It also includes theory instruction, certified instructors, insurance, a snack, water, a shower after surfing, and photos.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want an affordable and well-supported first try at surfing in Tenerife. The strongest reasons are the maximum group size of six, the short walk from the school to the beach, and the amount of equipment and support included for $40.

I would also choose it for a family or pair of friends who want an active break from swimming and sunbathing. You may not become a polished surfer in two hours, but with patient coaching from teachers such as Kaia, Juan, and Martin, you have a good chance of learning the basic movements and perhaps rising on a wave.

Skip it if you cannot swim, need private coaching, or dislike sharing a busy beach with other people. For everyone else, this is a practical, good-value introduction to surfing on Tenerife’s south coast, with photos to help preserve the memory afterward.