Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for Kids in Las Americas

The best part of this Tenerife activity is its private instruction. Your child gets focused help rather than being lost in a large class, with a step-by-step introduction to paddling, board control, and standing on a wave. The lesson takes place at Playa de Las Americas, with views toward Mount Teide when conditions allow.

I like the safety-first approach and the fact that all core equipment is included. I also like the flexible teaching style, which suits a complete beginner as well as a child who has already tried surfing. The main drawback is that weather and sea conditions control the schedule, so the lesson may be postponed or canceled.

Key points

• Private two-hour lesson: Your child receives individual attention from a surf instructor.
• Raffa is praised by name: One family specifically valued his friendly, capable approach with children.
• Swimming is essential: The lesson is not suitable for non-swimmers.
• Equipment is included: Wetsuit, reef boots, softboard, and accident insurance come with the booking.
• Playa de Las Americas setting: Children learn near the sea with views that can include Mount Teide.
• Flexible booking terms: Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, or reserve now and pay later.

Why Playa de Las Americas Works for a First Surf Lesson

Playa de Las Americas is a practical place for a child’s first encounter with surfing. The lesson happens right by the water, so there is no long transfer or complicated day plan to manage. You arrive, find the surf school, get fitted with equipment, and focus on the sea.

The setting also gives the lesson some real Tenerife character. On a clear day, your child may have views toward Teide, Spain’s highest peak, while working on the basics in the Atlantic. That contrast is memorable: volcano in the distance, surfboard under your child, and a whole new set of ocean skills in front of them.

The location does not remove the need to pay attention to conditions. Surfing depends on the sea, wind, and weather. The start time can change, and the session can be postponed or canceled if conditions are unsuitable. I would keep the day flexible and avoid placing the lesson next to an important flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan.

What the Two Hours Are Designed to Teach

This is not simply a chance to push a child onto a board and hope for the best. The lesson is built around basic surfing skills, with the instructor guiding the child through the process in stages.

The first part focuses on getting comfortable with the equipment and learning the right movements. Children work on paddling technique, board control, and the body position needed to catch a wave. For a beginner, these small details matter. A softboard gives a more forgiving platform, while reef boots and a wetsuit help protect and warm the student in the water.

The next step is learning how to stand. The instructor gives step-by-step guidance so the child can move from lying on the board to standing with better balance. That first successful attempt is the clear goal, but the lesson is also about building safe habits that can be used again.

The exact amount of time spent standing will depend on the child, the waves, and the weather. A young beginner may spend much of the session learning to paddle and position the board. That is not wasted time. Catching a wave starts well before the moment of standing.

Private Coaching Makes a Real Difference

The private format is the strongest reason to choose this experience instead of a cheaper group class. Your child can ask questions, receive immediate corrections, and work at a suitable pace. If balance comes easily, the instructor can move ahead. If the child needs more time, there is less pressure to keep up with a larger class.

The activity is described as a private group experience, and the lesson is intended for children who want to begin surfing. That makes it a good fit for a parent booking a session for one child or a private family arrangement, though you should confirm the exact group setup when booking if more than one child will attend.

A private lesson can also help a nervous child. Surfing is an unfamiliar mix of balance, timing, and moving water. Calm, direct coaching can make the first attempts feel manageable. The experience received especially strong praise for its work with children, and Raffa was singled out for being both friendly and capable.

The tradeoff is price. At $93 per person, this is not the budget choice for a quick beach activity. Still, the fee includes two hours of instruction, all the main equipment, and accident insurance. If your child wants genuine one-to-one attention, the added cost can make sense. If your main goal is simply to let a child try a board once, a group option could be cheaper, but no group price is provided here for comparison.

Safety Comes Before the First Wave

The most important rule is simple: every student must know how to swim. This is not suitable for a child who cannot swim, even if that child is confident in shallow water or has used a bodyboard before.

The safety approach includes an instructor guiding the child through the lesson and accident insurance included in the price. That does not make the ocean risk-free. You should still tell the instructor about your child’s swimming ability and any concerns before the lesson begins.

The provided equipment is suited to beginners:

• A softboard for a more forgiving learning surface
• A wetsuit for the Atlantic water
• Reef boots for foot protection
• Accident insurance for the lesson

Bring swimwear and flip-flops. The flip-flops are useful for walking between the meeting point and the beach area, while swimwear makes changing into the wetsuit straightforward. You should not need to arrange a board or protective gear separately.

The weather clause deserves attention. The surfing time depends on the conditions, and the lesson can be postponed or canceled if the sea is not suitable. That is a sensible policy for a water activity, but it means you should keep your phone available and avoid assuming the exact time is guaranteed until the day is confirmed.

Finding the Surf School at the Meeting Point

The meeting directions are specific but slightly awkward if you are carrying beach items or watching children. Look for the large stairs next to the BBVA bank. Go straight, then turn right. The local is at the end of the corridor.

I would allow a little extra time to find this spot. The directions refer to recognizable landmarks rather than giving a long street address, so checking the meeting point before the lesson day is wise. You can also make sure everyone has swimwear and flip-flops ready before setting out.

The supplied information does not include hotel pickup or transport. Plan to reach the meeting point on your own. Since the activity lasts two hours, allow additional time before and after the lesson for meeting, changing, and getting settled. The two-hour figure refers to the lesson itself, not necessarily your total time away from your accommodation.

A Good Match for Different Ages and Skill Levels

This lesson is aimed at children who are curious about surfing and want to start properly. The instruction is adapted to the child’s ability, so it can work for someone standing on a surfboard for the first time or for a young surfer who already knows a few basics.

For a complete beginner, the value is in learning the correct foundation. Paddling, board position, and standing technique are easier to build with an instructor than through trial and error. The child also gets a clear introduction to surf safety, rather than treating the board as a simple beach toy.

For a child with some experience, private coaching can target the parts that need work. The instructor can give more direct attention to timing, balance, and wave catching. The available information does not promise advanced maneuvers, so I would book this for basic development rather than specialist performance training.

Age limits are not provided. The key requirement is swimming ability, not a stated minimum age. If your child is very young, contact the provider before booking to confirm that the lesson format and conditions are suitable.

What the Strong Feedback Tells You

The most useful detail in the feedback is the praise for working with children. One booking for a 14-year-old boy was described as safe, kind, and effective, with the child happy to learn the basics. The family also considered the experience good value and planned to return for a group lesson a few days later.

That tells me this is not only a photo opportunity. The lesson is intended to teach real beginner skills, and the child’s comfort matters. The same feedback also points to a useful choice between private and group learning. A private session can be a gentle first step, while a group lesson may suit a child who already feels ready to surf with others.

Another booking specifically praised Raffa as friendly and capable with children. Since the language options are Spanish and English, you can request the language that will make instructions easiest for your child. The available information names Raffa but does not guarantee that he will lead every booking, so ask if having him as the instructor matters to you.

The experience has a rating of 5 from three reviews, which is encouraging but still a small sample. I would treat the feedback as a positive sign, not as proof that every lesson will be identical. Sea conditions, a child’s confidence, and the instructor assigned can all shape the day.

Is $93 a Fair Price for Two Hours?

The price is $93 per person. That is a meaningful cost for a two-hour activity, especially for a family booking several children.

The value improves if your child needs close coaching. You are paying for a private format, instruction tailored to ability, equipment, and accident insurance. Buying or renting a wetsuit, boots, and board separately would add hassle, while a private teacher can correct mistakes quickly.

The value is weaker if your child is unsure about surfing or may not want to enter the water. The lesson requires a commitment to the activity, and children who dislike waves or cannot swim should not be booked. Photos are not included, so if you want pictures of the first wave, you will need to handle that separately, if conditions and the school’s rules allow.

I would view this as a skill-building activity rather than a cheap filler between beach days. For a child who is excited about surfing, the cost can buy a memorable introduction and a useful foundation. For a family seeking the lowest-cost way to entertain children for an hour or two, it may feel expensive.

Booking Tips for a Smoother Morning or Afternoon

Try to schedule the lesson early enough in your holiday that a weather change will not ruin your only chance to surf. Since the session can be postponed, leaving some spare time later in the trip gives you more breathing room.

Use the reserve-now-and-pay-later option if your schedule is still moving. You can hold a place without paying immediately, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The weather policy is separate from your personal cancellation choice, so read the current booking terms carefully.

Before you leave, pack:

• Swimwear
• Flip-flops
• Any personal items your child needs after the lesson

Wetsuit, reef boots, and softboard are supplied. Photos are not supplied. Bring only what you need, since children can easily lose track of small belongings around a beach and changing area.

Because the meeting directions use the BBVA bank, stairs, and corridor as landmarks, look at the route beforehand. A child who arrives calm and unhurried will usually get more from the lesson than one who arrives late and flustered.

Who Should Book This Surfing Lesson?

I would recommend it for a child who can swim, wants to learn surfing, and benefits from direct encouragement. It also suits a parent who values safety and personal attention more than the lowest possible price.

The lesson is particularly appealing for a first-time surfer. The softboard, basic instruction, and step-by-step approach give the child a sensible start. An older child, including a teenager such as the 14-year-old mentioned in the feedback, can also use the session to learn fundamentals before trying a group class.

I would think twice if your child cannot swim, dislikes changing plans, or is only mildly interested in surfing. The weather can alter the schedule, and the price is high enough that genuine interest matters.

Should You Book It?

Book this Playa de Las Americas lesson if your child is a swimmer and truly wants to try surfing. The combination of private coaching, beginner equipment, safety coverage, and child-friendly instruction makes it a strong first lesson, especially with an instructor such as Raffa available.

Skip it if you need a fixed timetable or a low-cost beach activity. The ocean decides the schedule, photos cost extra, and $93 is best justified when your child wants more than a quick splash. For an eager young surfer, though, two hours of focused coaching can be the highlight of a Tenerife holiday.

FAQ

How long does the surfing lesson last?

The lesson lasts two hours. Check availability for the current starting times.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $93 per person.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. The activity is described as a private surfing lesson and a private group experience.

What languages are spoken by the instructors?

Instruction is available in Spanish and English.

What equipment is included?

The price includes reef boots, a wetsuit, and a softboard. Accident insurance is also included.

Does my child need to know how to swim?

Yes. Every student must know how to swim, and the lesson is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should my child bring?

Bring swimwear and flip-flops.

Can weather change the lesson time?

Yes. The surfing time depends on weather and sea conditions. The lesson can be postponed or canceled if conditions are unsuitable.

Can I cancel the booking or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.