Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

Surfing starts with a splash. This two-hour lesson at Playa de las Américas gives you a friendly way to try the sport, with certified instructors, full equipment, and photos included. I especially like the small groups of up to six and the fact that instruction is adjusted to your level. The school is only about 30 meters from the beach, so you are not hauling a board across town before the fun begins.

I also like the clear structure: a 20-minute theory session, a warm-up, then time in the water with a coach nearby. Instructors such as Juan, Marco, Kaia, Rodri, Gabriele, and Calvin are repeatedly praised for patience and hands-on help. The main consideration is simple: surfing is hard work, and waves and conditions can change. You might stand on your first lesson, or you might spend much of it learning to paddle and balance.

Key points before you book

• Small group instruction: Classes are limited to six participants, which gives you a better chance of receiving individual pointers.
• A proper first lesson: You cover paddling, board position, and standing up before entering the water.
• Everything but swimwear and a towel: The price includes a board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, insurance, a snack, water, and a post-surf shower.
• Photos are included: The school takes photographs during the session, giving you a useful souvenir beyond a sandy memory.
• Suitable for several skill levels: Complete beginners can start from scratch, while more experienced surfers can ask for help refining technique.
• No hotel transfer: You need to reach Shaka Surf Tenerife in Playa de las Américas yourself and arrive 15 minutes early.

Why this Tenerife surf lesson works for beginners

Surfing can look easy from the beach. Then you try to paddle, catch a wave, push up, and stand while the ocean moves underneath you. This lesson handles that learning curve in sensible steps.

You begin at the Shaka Surf Tenerife school, close to Playa de las Américas. The short walk to the water matters. You spend more of your two-hour session learning and less time carrying equipment through resort streets.

The class starts with about 20 minutes of theory. You learn how to paddle, where to lie on the board, how to position yourself, and how to perform the takeoff. The instructor also explains basic technique and safety before you enter the sea.

That preparation is more useful than it may sound. Several first-time surfers managed to kneel or stand after receiving clear instructions on land. Others found the sport difficult but still enjoyed the challenge. You should come ready to listen closely, since small changes in hand position, timing, or balance can make a big difference.

After the explanation comes a warm-up. Then you take your board into the water with the instructor. The teaching is not limited to shouting instructions from shore. Coaches are described as entering the water, steadying boards, giving step-by-step advice, and helping students choose a wave.

That direct help is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Juan, Kaia, Kaja, Rodri, and other instructors are praised for being calm, positive, and patient with nervous beginners. One first-time participant with no experience in open ocean water felt safe enough to keep trying after repeated falls. That is a good sign for anyone who is excited but a little uneasy.

What happens during the two hours

The session has a simple rhythm, but each part serves a purpose.

Arrival and equipment

You meet at Shaka Surf Tenerife 15 minutes before class. Bring swimwear and a towel. The school supplies a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra.

The wetsuit helps with comfort in the water and gives you some protection from scrapes. Water shoes can make walking over the beach or seabed easier, while the lycra helps identify the class and adds another layer. You should wear swimwear underneath the wetsuit, as one participant specifically advised.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. That is worth noting if you are staying outside Playa de las Américas or planning a tight schedule. You need to arrange your own way to the school and send a WhatsApp message to receive more detailed meeting-point information.

The 20-minute theory lesson

The land lesson covers the basic skills you need right away:

• How to paddle correctly
• Where to position yourself on the board
• How to take off
• How to get your feet under you
• How to stand and keep your balance

This is not a full surf course, of course. It is a practical briefing designed to help you make your first attempts safely. The instructors use several languages, including Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian.

That language range is useful in a mixed group. Clear instructions matter when the sea is noisy and you are trying to remember several movements at once. English-speaking participants have praised the explanations as easy to follow, while others appreciated being taught in their native language.

Warm-up and first attempts

A short warm-up prepares your body for paddling and repeated attempts to stand. Surfing uses more arm and core strength than many people expect. You will probably fall, reset, paddle again, and try another wave.

The instructors keep correcting small details rather than leaving you to struggle alone. They may point out a weak spot in your technique, help position the board, or give you a push toward a suitable wave. That hands-on approach is particularly valuable during a first lesson, when it is difficult to watch your own form.

You should set realistic goals. Standing for a few seconds is a fine result. Kneeling successfully, catching a small wave, or simply learning how to control the board also counts as progress. One participant suggested taking at least two lessons because the first session is largely about learning the movements. That is sensible advice.

Surfing in Playa de las Américas

The main part of the class takes place in the water at or near Playa de las Américas. Conditions are not fixed. Some sessions have small waves that are ideal for first attempts. On other days, waves can be stronger, and the instructors may move the group to a quieter spot.

That flexibility helps make the activity suitable for different levels. One group faced large waves and was taken somewhere calmer. Another group found the waves less impressive than hoped, but the lesson remained enjoyable because the instructors kept students involved and focused.

The sea decides how much surfing you get. A lesson cannot guarantee perfect waves or that everyone will stand. The school can choose an appropriate area and adjust the teaching, but it cannot control the weather. If you need a guaranteed athletic success, this is the wrong activity. If you enjoy learning a new skill and laughing at a few clumsy falls, it is a good fit.

The instructors are the real value

At $50 per person, the equipment alone would not tell the full story. You are paying for instruction, supervision, insurance, access to a nearby school, and the chance to use a proper surfboard and wetsuit without buying or transporting either.

The most praised feature is the teaching style. Instructors are consistently described as friendly, professional, energetic, and encouraging. They explain the basics carefully, then offer individual advice in the water.

Juan is often praised for patience and practical pointers. Kaia and Kaja receive strong marks for calm explanations and encouragement. Marco, Gabriele, Rodri, Calvin, Celvin, Joel, Josh, Gaia, and Ismail are also named as helpful instructors. The staff’s ability to teach in several languages adds to the feeling that you will not be left guessing.

The group limit of six is important here. Surf schools can sometimes put many beginners in the same lesson, leaving each person with little contact time. A maximum of six does not mean private instruction, but it gives the coach a reasonable chance to watch your attempts and offer a correction.

For an advanced surfer, the value is more limited. You can ask for help refining technique, but this is still a two-hour group class rather than a private performance clinic. Beginners and returning surfers who want a relaxed refresher will get the most from it.

Photos, snacks, and the practical extras

Photos are included in the price, and this is more than a minor extra. Surfing is awkward to photograph from the beach, and you may not have a free hand for your phone. Having images of your session gives you a record of the day and lets you see what your attempts actually looked like.

The photographs are praised for being clear and worth keeping. Do not assume you will receive a professional action portfolio, since the exact number and delivery method are not stated. Still, included photos add real value to a reasonably priced lesson.

The package also includes a snack and water. That is helpful after paddling and repeated attempts, especially if you have planned a full beach day. You also get a shower after surfing, which makes it easier to continue sightseeing or return to your accommodation without carrying half the beach with you.

Insurance is included as well. You should still follow the instructor’s directions and tell the school if you have concerns about your ability in the water. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women.

Who should book this activity

This lesson suits you best if you:

• Have never surfed before
• Want a guided introduction rather than renting a board alone
• Prefer a small group
• Enjoy active beach activities
• Want equipment and photos included
• Are comfortable in the water and able to follow instructions
• Have a partner or family member with a different level of experience

It also works well for mixed-ability pairs. One person can have previous experience while another starts from zero, since the instruction is adjusted to different needs.

Families may enjoy it if all participants meet the activity requirements. A family group of five had a positive experience, but no minimum age is provided, so you should confirm suitability before booking for children.

You should think twice if you are a non-swimmer, pregnant, uncomfortable in moving water, or looking for a quiet, low-effort activity. Surfing requires repeated paddling, balance, and getting back on the board. Even a fun lesson can leave your arms tired.

Getting the best value from your lesson

Arrive 15 minutes early. That gives you time to check in, change, and avoid losing part of the two-hour class.

Bring only what the school asks for: swimwear and a towel. You receive the board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, snack, and water. Send a WhatsApp message before the lesson for meeting-point details, since the school specifically asks participants to do so.

Listen closely during the theory section. The first attempt is easier when you already know which foot to place forward and how to push up. Do not rush to stand before the board is stable. A clean kneel or controlled fall is better progress than forcing a move too early.

If you enjoy the lesson, consider booking a second session. The first class teaches the basic sequence, while a follow-up gives you more time to improve balance, wave choice, and timing. You may still fall often, but you will know what to work on.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to fit the lesson around changing holiday plans, though you should still check the available start times before committing to other activities.

Is the $50 price fair?

I think the price is fair for what is included. You get two hours of instruction, a certified coach, a small group, board rental, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, insurance, a snack, water, a shower, and photos.

The strongest value comes from the instruction and the small group rather than the equipment. Renting a board without guidance might cost less, but it would not give you the same safety briefing or help with catching a wave. For a first attempt, the coach’s presence can save you a lot of frustration.

The price is less compelling if you already surf confidently and only need equipment. Advanced participants can ask for technique advice, but a private lesson would offer more personal attention. For beginners, couples, families, and people who want a well-organized introduction, the package is easier to justify.

Should you book the Shaka Surf Tenerife lesson?

You should book it if you want a friendly, well-supported first try at surfing in Tenerife and you are comfortable in the water. The combination of six-person groups, patient multilingual instruction, included equipment, and photos makes it a strong choice for beginners.

Go in with the right expectation. You may stand on your first wave, or you may spend the session learning to paddle and balance. Either way, you will receive a structured introduction and a chance to decide if surfing deserves another morning on your holiday.

I would choose this lesson for a first experience, especially if you are nervous, traveling with someone at a different skill level, or want photos without arranging your own photographer. I would look for a private or more advanced session if you already surf well and want detailed technical coaching.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson take place?

The lesson takes place at Playa de las Américas in the south of Tenerife. The Shaka Surf Tenerife school is about 30 meters from the waves.

How long does the activity last?

The surfing lesson lasts two hours, including the theory section, warm-up, and time in the water.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at Shaka Surf Tenerife 15 minutes before the class begins.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos taken during the surfing session are included in the price.

Is instruction provided for complete beginners?

Yes. The class begins with basic surfing techniques and is designed for people starting from zero as well as participants with more experience.

What languages can the instructors speak?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should wear swimwear under the rented wetsuit.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the school.

Who should not take this activity?

The lesson is not suitable for pregnant women or non-swimmers.