Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

Tenerife’s south coast gives you a rare holiday chance: you can walk from the Shaka Surf Tenerife school to the waves at Playa de las Américas, learn the basics on the sand, then try them in the water minutes later. The two-hour lesson works for complete beginners and surfers who want to sharpen their timing, paddling, or takeoff.

I like the small groups of up to six people, since instructors can give more than a quick safety talk and send you off on your own. I also like that the price includes the board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, snack, shower, insurance, and photos. The main consideration is the beach crowd: one participant found there were many people in the water, so you need to stay alert and follow your instructor’s directions.

Key points at a glance

• Walk just 30 meters to the waves: The school is close enough to keep the lesson focused and avoid a long equipment haul.
• A proper 20-minute theory session: You learn paddling, board position, and the takeoff before entering the water.
• Up to six people per group: This gives the instructors room to offer individual corrections.
• Several languages are available: Lessons can be taught in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, or Croatian.
• Photos come with the lesson: You have a way to remember the day, though one person was still waiting for the photographs.
• Full basic equipment is included: Bring only swimwear and a towel, then use the school’s board, wetsuit, shoes, and lycra.

Why Playa de las Américas is a practical place to learn

The best part of this experience is its simple setup. Shaka Surf Tenerife sits about 30 meters from Playa de las Américas, so you do not lose much of your two-hour session traveling between the shop and the sea. That matters when you are wearing a wetsuit, carrying a board, and still trying to remember which way to stand.

The lesson begins at the school, where you receive a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra. You meet your instructor 15 minutes before the scheduled start, which gives you time to get organized without rushing through the introduction.

The beach location also helps first-timers. After the land briefing, the group can move quickly to the water while the instructions are still fresh. You are not trying to learn surfing from a dry beach far from the waves. You see the setting, hear the advice, and then practice it in the same session.

Playa de las Américas is also a busy place for surfing. That creates energy and convenience, but it means you must watch for other people in the water. The group is limited to six, yet the surrounding beach is not private. Stay close to your instructor, keep your board under control, and do not assume every wave is yours.

The first 20 minutes: learning the basics before the water

The theory section lasts about 20 minutes. That may sound long when you are eager to surf, but it is one of the most useful parts of the lesson. A beginner needs to understand how to lie on the board, paddle correctly, position the body, and move into the standing position before dealing with moving water.

The instructors cover the basics of the takeoff, the movement that gets you from lying on the board to standing. They also explain board positioning and paddling technique. These details make a real difference. A poorly placed body or weak paddle can cause you to miss a wave before you even try to stand.

Expect a hands-on explanation rather than a lecture designed only for experienced surfers. Kaia is frequently named as a patient and clear instructor, and one family found that she made the theory section interesting for a child. Martin, Juan, Nacho, Marco, and other instructors are also praised for clear teaching and encouragement.

The group format can make this part more enjoyable. You watch other beginners work through the same questions, and you can learn from corrections given to someone else. If you already surf, use this time to tell the instructor what you want to improve. The lesson is described as personalized for all levels, so do not stay quiet if you need help with timing, paddling, or board control rather than basic standing.

Warm-up and equipment: what you receive

After the theory, you warm up before entering the water. The warm-up is a small detail, but it gives you a chance to loosen your shoulders and legs before paddling and standing repeatedly. Surfing looks relaxed from the beach, yet the first lesson asks plenty from your arms and balance.

Your equipment is supplied:

• Surfboard
• Wetsuit
• Water shoes
• Lycra
• Shower after the lesson
• Snack and water
• Insurance

You need to bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the school. The meeting point is Shaka Surf Tenerife, and the activity finishes back there.

The included equipment improves the value of the $40 price. You are not paying for the lesson and then adding a separate board rental, wetsuit charge, or post-surf shower. A snack and water are also useful after your time in the sea, especially if you have spent much of the lesson paddling.

The school is described as an official Surf School of FCS, and instructors are certified. That gives you a better foundation than simply renting a board and trying to copy people on the beach. It also matters for beginners who need clear safety instructions before handling a large board around other swimmers and surfers.

The water session: putting the lesson into practice

The main part of the experience takes place in the water at Playa de las Américas. Your instructor helps you apply the land exercises, including paddling, positioning, and standing on the board. For a first lesson, the aim is not perfect style. The real victory is understanding how a wave moves beneath you and getting a controlled attempt at standing.

Many first-timers manage to stand after several tries, though you should treat that as a possible result, not a promise. One participant who had never surfed was able to pop up and felt comfortable with the guidance. Another group went from zero to standing in one lesson with Martin and Juan. That kind of progress depends on the day’s conditions, your fitness, and your ability to follow the timing advice.

The instructors receive the strongest praise for patience and presence in the water. Kaia is described as attentive and encouraging, while Juan, Martin, and Nacho are praised for giving corrections without making beginners feel lost. One family’s 11-year-old child enjoyed a first lesson, and another parent appreciated the special attention given to a 10-year-old son. If you are booking for a child, confirm the current age and safety requirements before paying, since the supplied details do not give an official minimum age.

You can also ask for help suited to your level. A total beginner may need to focus on the standing motion and safe falls. A more experienced surfer may benefit more from advice on timing, paddling, or body position. The school says lessons are personalized, but the exact focus will depend on the group and the instructor assigned that day.

Safety and the feel of a six-person group

Safety is a central part of the session. The lesson includes insurance, certified instructors, a warm-up, and an explanation of the basic techniques before you enter the water. The instructors are repeatedly praised for keeping an eye on the group and making people feel safe, including during moments when the waves felt large.

Still, this is an ocean activity, not a controlled swimming pool session. You need to be comfortable in the sea and able to follow instructions. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women.

A group limit of six is a useful middle ground. Private instruction would offer more personal attention, but it would cost more than $40. A large class might feel cheaper but could leave you waiting for corrections. With six participants, you should have repeated chances to practice while the instructor watches the group.

The beach itself can be crowded. You need to look out for other people, boards, and waves rather than concentrating only on your own progress. The lesson is safest when you listen closely, wait for the instructor’s signal, and avoid paddling into another person’s path.

The instructors and their teaching style

The staff’s manner is a major reason this lesson suits beginners. Several instructors are named in the feedback, including Kaia, Juan, Martin, Nacho, Marco, Joshu, and Fred. You may not receive a particular instructor unless you arrange that directly, but the repeated descriptions point to a team that focuses on patience, clear explanations, and encouragement.

Kaia receives especially strong praise for being friendly, calm, and easy to understand. Her work with beginners and children is a useful sign for families and nervous adults. Martin and Juan are praised for helping people stand on their boards during their first lesson, while Nacho and Kaia are singled out for communication when the waves were challenging.

The multilingual teaching is another practical advantage. You can request Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, or Croatian. If you are trying a sport for the first time, understanding safety instructions matters more than simply having a pleasant conversation, so choose the language in which you can follow quick advice in the water.

Tell your coach what you want to learn. That may be standing up for the first time, catching more waves, or improving a technique you already know. You will get more from the lesson if you explain your goal instead of assuming the instructor knows your experience.

Photos included, with one small caution

Photos are included in the price, which adds a nice record of the day. Surfing is hard to photograph from inside the water, and the action moves quickly, so having the school handle this can be more useful than asking a companion to stand on the beach with a phone.

The photos also help you see your position on the board. You may feel that you are standing tall, then notice in a picture that your knees were bent or your weight leaned too far forward. That makes the images useful beyond simple holiday memories.

There is one practical caution. At least one participant had not yet received the photos. Ask the school when and how they will be delivered, and send a WhatsApp message if you need more details about the meeting point or photo timing. Do not treat the included photos as an instant handover unless the provider confirms that.

Is $40 a fair price for two hours?

At $40 per person, this is a good-value introduction to surfing if you need equipment and instruction. The fee includes the board, wetsuit, shoes, lycra, theory, certified coaching, water, a snack, shower, insurance, and photos. You are paying for a complete first session rather than only access to a board.

The price is especially sensible for a first-timer. Renting equipment alone does not teach you how to paddle safely, choose a wave, position the board, or stand up. The lesson also saves you from buying or packing gear for a sport you may try only once.

The value is less clear if you already surf confidently and need only a board. In that case, a full group lesson may include instruction you do not need. Still, the school accepts more advanced participants and can personalize the session, so it may suit you if you want technique advice rather than simple equipment rental.

There is no hotel transfer, so include your own transport time and cost when comparing this with other activities. The school’s close location to the beach keeps the lesson efficient once you arrive.

Who should book this Tenerife surf lesson?

I would recommend it first to:

• Adults trying surfing for the first time
• Friends or couples who want a shared activity
• Families with children who meet the provider’s requirements
• Beginners who want a supportive instructor in the water
• Intermediate surfers who want help with paddling, timing, or positioning
• Visitors who want photos without arranging their own camera

You should think twice if you cannot swim, are pregnant, or want a private lesson with uninterrupted coaching. You should also be ready for a busy beach and the physical work of paddling, getting up, and trying again.

The two-hour length is about right for a first attempt. You get an explanation, warm-up, water time, and a chance to repeat the basic movement without giving up half a day of your Tenerife schedule. If you catch the surfing bug, you can return for follow-up lessons.

Practical details before you go

Arrive at Shaka Surf Tenerife 15 minutes before the class begins. Bring swimwear and a towel, and send a WhatsApp message to receive more detail about the exact meeting point.

The activity lasts two hours, but the schedule depends on availability. It is a small-group experience for no more than six people. The listed teaching languages are Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want a well-organized first taste of surfing without buying equipment or spending hours learning alone. The close beach access, 20-minute theory session, small group, certified instructors, and included photos make the $40 fee easy to justify.

I would choose it for a nervous beginner, a family with an interested child, or anyone who wants patient help standing on a board. Just remember that the ocean and the beach can be busy, the photos may not arrive at once, and you must be a swimmer. If those points fit your plans, Shaka Surf Tenerife offers a friendly and practical way to spend two hours on Tenerife’s south coast.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson take place?

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

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

How early should I arrive?

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

What equipment is included?

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

What should I bring?

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

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The lesson is designed for people starting from zero as well as surfers who want to improve their technique. The instructors cover paddling, board position, and the takeoff before entering the water.

Can non-swimmers or pregnant women participate?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women.