Surf class in Famara 9:15-12:00 or 11:45-14:30 (2h class)

Famara is made for first attempts. Calima Surf’s two-hour lesson combines a sandy beach, qualified instructors, wetsuit hire, and plenty of time in the water, making it a friendly way to try surfing in Lanzarote. I especially like the clear two-hour format and the fact that the instructors adjust to conditions, including windy weather. The main drawback is that you must know how to swim, and the weather can force a change of date.

I also like the choice of two start times. You can meet at 9:15 for the 10:00 to 12:00 class, or at 11:45 for the 12:30 to 14:30 session. That extra flexibility helps if you are fitting surfing around other plans in Lanzarote. Alberto has earned special praise for his patience and enthusiasm, while the teaching team has also been described as highly multilingual.

Key points at a glance

• Two useful morning options: Meet at 9:15 or 11:45, with the actual beach lesson running from 10:00 to 12:00 or 12:30 to 14:30.
• Famara beach setting: You learn in one of Lanzarote’s best-known surf areas, with the class built around warm-up, theory, and water practice.
• Wetsuit provided: You collect your wetsuit at the school before walking or going to the beach with the group.
• Patient instruction: Alberto is singled out for his enthusiasm and patience, especially with first-time surfers.
• Weather-aware teaching: Instructors adapt to wind and other conditions, but poor weather can lead to a rescheduled class or full refund.
• Strong booking record: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 199 reviews and is recommended by 98 percent of participants.

Why Famara works for a first surf lesson

Caleta de Famara gives this class a natural sense of place. You are not learning in a pool or on a small artificial wave. You are heading to the beach with your wetsuit on, listening to a short explanation, then trying the basics in the sea.

That matters because surfing is as much about reading the water and managing your balance as it is about standing on a board. A beach lesson gives you an honest first taste. You may catch a wave, you may spend plenty of time falling off, and you will quickly learn that the sea has its own timetable.

The lesson is designed for beginners rather than experienced surfers looking for advanced coaching. The plan starts with a warm-up and a brief theoretical explanation before moving into practical work. That order is sensible. You get a little instruction before entering the water, but the focus remains on practice rather than a long classroom session.

Famara is also a good choice if you want your surfing lesson to feel like part of your Lanzarote trip instead of a stand-alone activity. The setting provides the wide-open beach atmosphere that makes the island appealing, while the two-hour format leaves much of the day free.

Meeting at Av. el Marinero 13

You begin at Calima Surf’s school at Av. el Marinero, 13, in Caleta de Famara. This is not the time to arrive at the beach and hope you find the instructor. The group gathers at the school first, where you receive your wetsuit and prepare before heading to the beach together.

For the earlier session, arrive at 9:15. The class itself begins at 10:00 and ends at noon. For the later option, arrive at 11:45, with teaching from 12:30 to 14:30.

The gap between meeting time and class time is useful. You need a few minutes to collect equipment, join the right group, and get ready. It also means you should not treat the posted class time as your arrival time. If you turn up at 10:00 for the first option, you may already have missed the school gathering.

The experience ends back at the same meeting point. That makes the arrangement easy to understand, especially if you are using public transportation or arranging the rest of your day around the lesson. The school is near public transportation, although the available information does not specify routes or travel times.

Collecting your wetsuit and heading to the beach

The wetsuit is supplied as part of the experience, which is a useful saving in both money and effort. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before class, and you can get ready with the other members of your booking at the school.

From there, the group goes to the beach together. The details do not specify the exact walking distance or transport method, so leave yourself enough time and follow the school’s instructions on the day. The important point is that the beach portion begins as a coordinated group outing, not as an independent search for the lesson location.

The wetsuit also matters in practical terms. Even under a bright Lanzarote sky, time in the Atlantic can feel cool, especially when you are learning and spending a lot of time in the water. You should still bring whatever personal items you need for the day, but the main water garment is handled by the school.

The experience is offered in English. A French-language account also praises the instructors as perfectly multilingual, so you may find communication particularly comfortable if English is not your first language. Still, English is the language specifically listed for booking and operation.

The 10:00 warm-up and short theory session

Once you reach the beach, the lesson begins with a warm-up. This is more than a polite opening routine. Surfing asks you to paddle, balance, push up, and react quickly, so warming up helps you prepare your body before attempting the waves.

The instructors then give a brief theoretical explanation. The short format is a plus for many beginners. You get the essentials before practice without losing half the class to technical talk.

Expect this part to set the foundation for the session. You will be introduced to the basic idea of positioning and movement, then take that information into the water. The supplied details do not list the exact skills covered, so I would not promise a full lesson in board handling, wave selection, or advanced technique. What you can count on is a practical introduction followed by water time.

This is where a patient teacher makes a real difference. One participant specifically praised Alberto for his enthusiasm and patience, saying the lesson was a first experience and encouraged a desire to try surfing again back home in Brittany. That is a strong sign for nervous beginners. You want a teacher who can repeat an instruction without making you feel foolish, especially when your first few attempts end with you sitting beside the board rather than standing on it.

Into the water for the main practice

The water practice is the heart of the class. After the warm-up and explanation, you leave the sand behind and work on the skills in real conditions.

The class lasts two hours, but that does not mean two hours of uninterrupted standing on a board. Surf instruction includes preparation, demonstrations, paddling, waiting for suitable waves, trying, falling, and getting back into position. The value of the lesson comes from having an instructor nearby while you work through those first attempts.

You should arrive with a realistic goal. Standing up once is a fine result for a first session. Even if you do not manage it, you will have learned how demanding the timing and balance can be. The class gives you a starting point and helps you decide if surfing is something you want to pursue later.

Conditions matter. One account describes windy weather during the lesson and praises the instructors for adapting. That is important in Famara, where wind can change how the water feels and how easy it is to hear instructions. Adaptability is a real strength here, but it does not make every sea condition suitable. If the weather becomes poor enough to cancel the class, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The experience is marked as private, meaning only your group participates in the activity. That is appealing if you are booking with family or friends and prefer not to be placed in a mixed public group. At the same time, the class description refers to gathering the whole group at the school and going to the beach together. I would interpret the private booking as applying to your booked activity group, while the school may still coordinate several participants around the same schedule.

Returning by 12:00 or 14:30

The early class returns to the school at noon. The later class finishes at 14:30. Those firm end times make the lesson easy to fit into a longer Lanzarote plan.

After two hours in the water, you may be ready for a meal, a shower, or a quiet afternoon. The schedule leaves room for all three, though the supplied information does not list shower facilities, changing-room arrangements, or food options at the school. I would avoid building a tightly timed onward booking immediately after the class. The activity is scheduled to end at a clear time, but sea activities can feel less predictable than a museum visit.

The return to the original meeting point is also helpful for collecting personal belongings and finishing the equipment handover. You do not have to work out a separate end location.

Is $60.49 a fair price?

At $60.49 per person, the class is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Lanzarote, but the price includes several practical elements. You receive a two-hour surf lesson, instruction from qualified teachers, a wetsuit, and organized movement from the school to the beach and back.

The value improves if this is your first time surfing. Renting equipment separately, finding a suitable beach, and trying to teach yourself would not give you the same safety net or useful feedback. A qualified instructor can help you avoid wasting the whole session on poor positioning or a basic mistake.

The price is easier to justify for someone who wants a proper introduction rather than a quick photo opportunity. You are paying for the coaching as much as the equipment. Patience and adaptation also have value, particularly if you are nervous, the wind is strong, or your group includes people with different levels of confidence.

The calculation is less attractive if you already surf confidently and only want independent time in the water. This class is built around instruction, warm-up, theory, and guided practice. Experienced surfers may prefer a board rental or a more advanced lesson, but those options are not described here.

Since the booking is private for your group, the price may also make more sense when shared with family or friends who want to learn together. The supplied information does not state whether the price changes for group size, so check the final booking total before assuming a group discount.

Who will enjoy this class most?

I would recommend this experience to a first-time surfer who wants structure without giving up most of the day. The two-hour length is long enough to learn the basics, but short enough that you are not committing to an exhausting full-day course.

It also suits couples, families, and friends who want to take part together. The private format can make the lesson feel more relaxed than joining a large public class, though you still need to follow the school’s shared meeting and beach schedule.

You should be comfortable in the water and able to swim. That is a firm requirement, not a minor footnote. If you cannot swim, this is not the right activity.

The class may also suit people who speak French or English, based on the languages associated with the experience and the praise for multilingual instructors. If you need another language, confirm it before booking rather than relying on assumptions.

I would be more cautious about booking if you have a very tight schedule, dislike weather-related uncertainty, or want advanced surfing. The school may cancel in poor weather, and the class is clearly aimed at learning the basics.

Choosing between the early and late sessions

The early option requires a 9:15 meeting time and finishes at noon. Pick it if you like getting activities done before lunch or want a long afternoon for other plans.

The later option begins with an 11:45 meeting time and runs until 14:30. It works better if you prefer a slower morning or have another early activity planned. You should remember that the beach class begins at 12:30, not at the 11:45 meeting time.

Neither option is described as better for surf conditions. The available information gives no hour-by-hour forecast or claim that one session normally has calmer water. Choose based on your personal schedule, then keep an eye on the weather.

The booking system confirms the experience at the time of purchase, and it is usually booked about 10 days ahead. That does not mean you must book exactly 10 days before, but it suggests planning ahead is sensible, especially if your Lanzarote dates are fixed.

Cancellation and weather protection

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The weather rule is fair for a sea activity. If poor weather forces the class to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You should still avoid assuming that a windy day automatically means cancellation. One lesson continued in windy conditions, with the instructors adapting to what they found.

This policy gives you some protection, but you still need to watch the clock. The 24-hour cut-off is based on local time, and last-minute changes are not covered.

What the high rating tells you

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 199 reviews, with 98 percent of participants recommending it. Numbers alone cannot tell you how every class runs, but they do point to consistent satisfaction.

The strongest praise centers on the instructors. Alberto is described as exceptional, enthusiastic, and patient. Another account highlights teachers who speak several languages and adjust well when the weather turns windy.

That emphasis matters more than a promise of perfect waves. You cannot control the sea, but you can choose an instructor who explains clearly, stays encouraging, and changes the plan when conditions require it. For a first surf class, those qualities often shape the day more than the number of waves you catch.

Should you book Calima Surf in Famara?

Book it if you want a well-organized first taste of surfing in Lanzarote, can swim, and like the idea of a two-hour lesson with equipment included. The private group format, flexible session times, and warm, patient teaching style make this a practical choice for beginners.

Think twice if you want advanced coaching, guaranteed calm weather, or a completely free-form beach session. Surfing depends on conditions, and the class may be rescheduled if the weather is poor.

For most beginners, I see good value in the combination of qualified instruction, wetsuit hire, beach practice, and a clear schedule. Choose the session that fits your day, arrive at the school at the correct meeting time, and treat your first successful stand as a bonus rather than a promise. That mindset will leave you free to enjoy the process.

FAQ

Where does the surf class begin?

It begins at Calima Surf’s school at Av. el Marinero, 13, 35558 Caleta de Famara, Las Palmas, Spain.

How long does the surf class last?

The class lasts approximately two hours.

What are the available class times?

The early option meets at 9:15, with the class running from 10:00 to 12:00. The later option meets at 11:45, with the class running from 12:30 to 14:30.

Does the activity end at the beach?

No. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is a wetsuit included?

Yes. You receive a wetsuit at the school before going to the beach.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must know how to swim.

Is the class available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What happens if poor weather cancels the class?

You are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.