Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

Playa de las Américas is a handy place to try surfing: Shaka Surf Tenerife’s school is about 30 meters from the waves, so you can get suited up and reach the water without hauling a board across town. In a two-hour lesson, you’ll cover the basics on land, then put them to use in the sea.

I like two things here: the small group, capped at six, gives the instructor room to offer individual pointers, and the price includes the main gear, a snack, water, a shower, insurance, and photos. Instructors including Kaia, Juan, and Martin are praised for clear explanations, patience, and helping first-timers feel looked after.

One consideration: this is a real-water lesson, not a poolside introduction. Conditions and other people in the water can affect how calm or crowded it feels, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women.

At a glance

• The beach is close: Shaka Surf Tenerife’s school is about 30 meters from Playa de las Américas.
• The group stays small: Lessons are limited to six participants, with certified instructors.
• Beginners get a clear start: Expect 20 minutes of theory, a warm-up, then practice in the water.
• The essentials are included: Surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, snack, water, shower, insurance, and photos.
• You can ask for the focus: Tell your instructor what you want to learn, from the basics to improving your technique.
• Bring your own swimwear and towel: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

A beach lesson that gets you into the water

This is a practical way to give surfing a first try during a stay in southern Tenerife. The meeting point is Shaka Surf Tenerife, close to the beach, and the lesson lasts two hours. Rather than spending the session on theory alone, you’ll get a short introduction to essential techniques, warm up, and then practice in the sea.

That format matters. Surfing has a few moving parts to remember at once: how to paddle, where to position yourself on the board, and how to stand up, or take off, when a wave gives you the chance. A brief explanation on land helps you start with a plan, but the real learning comes as you try the movements in the water and get corrections from your instructor.

The school welcomes beginners as well as people who already have some experience. If you’re new, say so plainly. If you want to work on a particular part of your technique, tell the coach before you head out. The lesson is described as personalized, so making your goal clear is a useful way to get more from a group class.

What happens during the two hours

Arrive at the surf school 15 minutes before the class begins. You’ll meet your guide there, rather than at a hotel, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. The school is about 30 meters from the waves, keeping the transition from changing and instruction to the beach short.

The school supplies a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra. You need to bring swimwear to wear under the wetsuit and a towel for afterward. Having the main equipment included makes the $40 price easier to assess, especially if you’re trying surfing once and don’t own any gear.

The first teaching block is about 20 minutes of theory. You’ll hear about paddling, positioning on the board, and how to take off. These are basic skills, but they’re not throwaway details: getting your body in the right place and understanding the movement can make the first attempts feel less like guesswork.

Next comes a warm-up, followed by time in the water with the instructor. The exact waves and conditions are not specified, so don’t expect a guaranteed number of rides or a particular kind of surf. The useful promise is instruction across levels, with the coach helping you work on your goal and practice safely.

After the surf, you can use the shower at the school. A snack and water are included as well, though the timing is not specified. Photos are part of the price, giving you a record of the session beyond the usual sandy phone selfie. Ask the school how and when the photos will be sent, since delivery details are not provided.

Why the small group matters

With a maximum of six participants, this class has a more personal scale than a large lesson. You’re still sharing the instructor’s attention, but a small group gives the coach more opportunity to notice how you’re paddling or to offer a correction after an attempt.

That personal attention is a recurring strength of the teaching. Kaia, Juan, and Martin are among the instructors named by people who have taken the lesson, and the school’s team is often singled out for patience, clear explanations, and encouragement. One first-time surfer may need a calm explanation; another may just need a quick pointer on timing. That mix of support can help the lesson feel welcoming without making it overly serious.

Parents may find that approachable teaching especially useful. A 10-year-old and an 11-year-old are among the children described as enjoying their first surf lesson, and one instructor gave a child extra attention. These examples suggest the activity can work for families with children, but the supplied details do not state a minimum age. Check with the school before booking for a child.

What beginners can reasonably expect

A first lesson can get you standing on a board, but that is not something anyone can promise in advance. Some first-timers have managed to stand after a few attempts, and others have described catching waves during their first session. Your results will depend on your comfort in the water, the conditions, and how quickly the movements begin to click.

Think of the session as a chance to learn the basic sequence and get a feel for the sport, not as a complete course. You’ll have guidance on the ground and in the sea, and you can ask for help with the part that is giving you trouble. Staying patient is part of the deal. A missed wave is practice, too, though it may not feel quite so noble at the time.

If you already surf, this is still presented as an option for improving your technique. Tell your instructor what you want to work on rather than assuming the class will be tailored automatically to an advanced routine. The lesson is shared, and its level of challenge will also depend on the conditions that day.

Water comfort, safety, and the crowd factor

The class includes certified instructors and insurance, and safety is part of the teaching. Instructors are described as attentive in the water and focused on helping participants feel comfortable. That matters when you’re learning in an environment that moves, and when you’re concentrating on your board as well as the waves around you.

Still, this is not an activity for non-swimmers. You should be comfortable in the water before booking, and the lesson is not suitable for pregnant women. A surf instructor can teach you how to handle a board, but the experience takes place in the sea, not in a controlled beginner pool.

Playa de las Américas can have other people in the water. One person described needing to watch out for others, a sensible reminder for any surf session at a popular beach. Listen to the instructor, keep aware of the people nearby, and don’t assume every wave or stretch of water will be yours alone.

Is $40 good value?

At $40 per person, this lesson offers a lot of the practical pieces together. The board and clothing are included, as are water shoes, a theory session, certified instruction, a snack, water, a post-surf shower, insurance, and photos. For a visitor who wants to try surfing without buying or arranging equipment, that bundle makes the price easier to justify.

The small group is another part of the value. A low participant cap can mean more useful feedback than you might get in a much larger class, though it does not turn a group lesson into private coaching. If you’re hoping for extensive one-to-one instruction, ask the school what is available before booking.

Photos add a nice extra, but don’t let them be the main reason to go. The value is in learning the basic movements and getting time to practice with an instructor nearby. Since the photo delivery method and timing are not stated, it’s worth asking about that when you contact the school.

Before you book

Check the available start times for your date, since the duration is two hours and starting times vary. The activity is offered in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian, so you can check that your preferred language is available before confirming.

Bring swimwear and a towel, and arrive at the surf school 15 minutes early. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The school also asks you to send a WhatsApp message for more details about the meeting point, a helpful step if you want to be sure you’re heading to the right place.

The booking has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms give you some flexibility if your plans are not fixed, but the main decision is simpler: be ready to get wet, follow instruction, and accept that progress comes one attempt at a time.

Should you book this surf lesson?

Book it if you want an accessible first taste of surfing near Playa de las Américas, appreciate having equipment supplied, and like the idea of a small class with clear instruction. It also suits surfers who want to work on a particular skill and families considering a lesson for a child, provided you confirm age requirements directly with the school.

Skip it if you cannot swim, are pregnant, or want a dry, predictable activity. And if you’re mainly booking for the photos, ask how they’re delivered before you pay. For most people who are curious about surfing and comfortable in the water, this is a well-equipped, good-value way to trade a couple of beach hours for a new skill and a few memorable attempts.

FAQ

How long is the surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours. Check availability for the starting times on your chosen date.

Where does the lesson meet?

Meet at Shaka Surf Tenerife’s surf school, about 30 meters from Playa de las Américas. Arrive 15 minutes before the class.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. The school provides the surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra.

Is equipment included?

Yes. A surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra are included.

Are photos included in the price?

Yes, photos are included. The delivery method and timing are not specified, so ask the school for those details.

Is this lesson suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The class is open to people learning from scratch as well as surfers looking to improve their technique.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

What languages can the instructor speak?

The listed languages are Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian.

Is the lesson suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the surf school meeting point.