Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

Surfing at Playa de las Américas begins with a short walk from Shaka Surf Tenerife’s shop to the water, but the useful work starts indoors. You get a 20-minute theory lesson, a warm-up, and clear practice on paddling, board position, and standing up before trying your first wave.

I like the small groups of up to six and the fact that equipment, water shoes, wetsuit, lycra, insurance, a snack, and photos are included in the $40 price. Instructors such as Kaia, Martin, Juan, and Marco are repeatedly praised for patience and careful coaching, including with first-timers and children.

The main consideration is the ocean itself. Playa de las Américas can have plenty of surfers in the water, so you must watch your surroundings, follow instructions, and be comfortable in the sea. This lesson is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women, and one person reported a delay receiving the promised photos.

• A 20-minute classroom start: Learn the basic movements before entering the water.
• A school just 30 meters from the beach: Less time is spent carrying equipment through town.
• Groups limited to six people: The instructor can give more direct corrections.
• All main equipment included: Board, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra are supplied.
• Several languages available: Lessons can be given in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, or Croatian.
• Photos are part of the price: A useful extra, though you should confirm how and when they will be delivered.

Why Playa de las Américas Makes a Good First Surf Lesson

For a first attempt at surfing, location matters. Playa de las Américas puts you close to Shaka Surf Tenerife’s school, with the beach only about 30 meters away. That short distance keeps the lesson focused. You are not spending much of your two-hour booking getting from a distant office to the shore.

The south of Tenerife is a popular place to learn because surf schools operate directly beside the beach and can match instruction to the conditions of the day. Your lesson takes place in a real ocean setting, not a pool or artificial wave machine, so you learn the feel of paddling, timing, balance, and moving water from the start.

There is a practical downside to a well-known beach. You may find plenty of other people in the water, and one person specifically noted having to watch out for many surfers. The instructors stress safety, but you still need to pay attention to boards, other groups, and the direction of the waves.

That makes this a better choice for someone ready for an active sea lesson than for someone hoping for a quiet beach outing. You do not need prior surfing experience, but you do need to swim and be willing to listen carefully.

Arriving at Shaka Surf Tenerife

You should arrive at the surf school 15 minutes before the scheduled start. The meeting point is Shaka Surf Tenerife, and the activity finishes back there after the water session.

The school provides the main kit:

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

Bring your own swimwear and towel. You may also want to arrive in clothing that is easy to change out of, since you will be handling wet gear at the end. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to the school.

The operator asks you to send a WhatsApp message for more information about the exact meeting point. That is worth doing before the day of the lesson, especially if you are unfamiliar with Playa de las Américas or have a tight schedule.

Getting Kitted Out Before the Water

The first part of the experience is practical rather than glamorous. You receive your wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra at the school, then prepare for the beach. The wetsuit helps keep you comfortable in the Atlantic, while water shoes give your feet protection and grip as you handle the board near shore.

You do not need to rent equipment separately or bring your own board. That matters because a surfboard is awkward to transport, and buying or hiring a wetsuit for one lesson would quickly add to the cost.

The included shower is another small but useful touch. After two hours in salt water and sand, being able to rinse off before changing makes the experience easier, particularly if you have other plans later in the day.

The 20-Minute Theory Lesson

Before anyone heads into the water, the instructor explains the basic technique. The theory section lasts about 20 minutes and covers:

• How to paddle
• Where to position yourself on the board
• How to paddle correctly
• How to perform the takeoff, or stand up
• The basic movements needed to catch a wave

This part is more important than it may sound. New surfers often focus only on standing, but poor board position or weak paddling can prevent you from catching a wave in the first place. A short explanation on land gives you a sequence to remember once the water becomes noisy and exciting.

The teaching style appears to be one of the strongest parts of the lesson. Kaia is especially praised for explaining the basics clearly and making the theory section interesting. Martin, Juan, Jose, Nacho, and other instructors are also singled out for encouragement, patience, and simple corrections.

You should not expect a long technical seminar. The goal is to give you enough information to practice safely and understand what your instructor is asking you to change. The lesson is personalized to your level, so a complete beginner and a more experienced surfer should not receive exactly the same advice.

Warming Up Before the First Wave

After the theory, the group does a warm-up before entering the sea. This prepares your body for paddling and repeated attempts at standing on the board.

The warm-up also gives the instructor another chance to organize the group and reinforce safety points. In a small class of up to six, you have a better chance of hearing instructions and receiving a quick correction without being lost in a large crowd.

Do not measure the lesson only by how many times you stand. Surfing involves timing, balance, paddling, and reading the wave. A good first session may leave you with a reliable starting position and a clearer sense of what to fix next time.

Still, this is an encouraging setup for beginners. Several people with no previous surfing experience managed to stand on the board during the first lesson. That result is not guaranteed, since wave conditions and individual balance vary, but the instruction is designed to give you a realistic chance.

Into the Atlantic at Playa de las Américas

The water session is the main event. Your instructor helps you put the land lesson into practice, watches your attempts, and gives advice on timing and body position.

For beginners, the first task is usually to paddle at the right moment, keep the board straight, and move from lying down to standing in one controlled motion. The instructors work in the water rather than simply sending you off with a board, and the strongest praise centers on the way they keep people encouraged and attended to.

Kaia is repeatedly praised for patience and for working hard to help people catch waves. Juan and Kaja are also noted for watching the surfers closely, checking safety, and giving clear explanations. A family with a 10-year-old son described receiving special attention for the child, while another family said an 11-year-old enjoyed the first experience. These examples suggest the teaching can work well for families, but the activity data does not provide a minimum age, so confirm age requirements before booking for a child.

The lesson also accepts more experienced surfers. If you already know how to stand but want to improve, tell the instructor what you want to work on. The school describes the coaching as personalized across levels, though the format remains a group lesson rather than a private coaching session.

Conditions can make a difference. One person described waves that felt large and potentially dangerous, while also noting that the instructors stayed calm and maintained control. That is a reminder that the ocean is not a predictable classroom. You should expect an active lesson, not a guaranteed series of easy, gentle waves.

What the Small Group Size Really Means

A maximum of six participants is a meaningful feature at this price. Surfing instruction depends on quick feedback. If your feet are too far apart, your board is angled badly, or you are standing too early, a short correction can make the next attempt better.

With six people or fewer, the instructor can keep track of each surfer more easily than in a large class. You also get the social energy of a group without being one face in a crowd of dozens.

The tradeoff is that you will not have constant one-to-one attention. You may spend some time waiting for your turn or watching another person attempt a wave. That is normal for a group surf lesson and part of the reason the school can keep the price at $40.

If you want a private lesson or a highly technical session, ask about other options. This particular experience makes the most sense for a first try, a relaxed refresher, or a holiday activity with friends or family.

Languages and Instructor Style

The school lists instruction in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian. That wide language range is helpful when you are learning physical movements that can be hard to understand through gestures alone.

The instructors most often praised by name are Kaia, Kaja, Martin, Juan, Juanito, Marco, Nacho, Jose, and Fred. Names vary in the feedback, and instructor assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one particular person unless the school confirms it.

The common thread is a friendly and patient approach. People new to surfing describe feeling comfortable, receiving precise explanations, and getting encouragement after failed attempts. That matters because beginners spend a fair amount of the lesson falling, missing waves, or standing too soon.

A good instructor keeps those mistakes from becoming discouraging. Here, the teaching seems to focus on helping you try again rather than making the lesson feel like a test.

Photos, Snacks, and the Value of the $40 Price

At $40 per person, this is a strong-value activity if you want a complete introduction rather than simply board rental. The price includes the instructor, board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, theory, warm-up, water practice, insurance, a snack, water, shower, and photos.

You would otherwise need to pay separately for equipment and possibly a photographer. The included gear also removes the uncertainty of choosing the right board or wetsuit as a beginner.

The photos are a nice holiday extra. Surfing is difficult to photograph from the beach while you are concentrating on balance, so having images of the session gives you something more useful than a few general beach snapshots.

One person reported still waiting for the photos, so I would treat delivery as a point to confirm rather than assume it will happen immediately. Ask the school how the images will be sent and when to expect them.

The two-hour duration is long enough to include preparation, theory, warm-up, and actual surfing without taking over your entire day. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

Who Should Book This Lesson

I would recommend this for:

• First-time surfers who want clear instruction
• Friends looking for an active two-hour outing
• Families with children who can swim, after confirming age requirements
• People with some surfing experience who want a supervised session
• Visitors who prefer an all-inclusive activity price
• Anyone who wants photos of the experience without arranging a separate photographer

It is not suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women. You should also think twice if you dislike group activities, crowded water, or the uncertainty of sea conditions.

The lesson is especially useful for a first attempt because the school handles the equipment and introduces the basic movements before sending you into the water. You can focus on learning rather than wondering how to attach a leash, choose a board, or read a beginner wave on your own.

Booking Details That Matter

The experience costs $40 per person and lasts two hours. You can reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

You need to make your own way to Shaka Surf Tenerife. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Arrive 15 minutes early, bring swimwear and a towel, and use WhatsApp to confirm the meeting details.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 861 ratings, with especially strong praise for the instructors’ patience, explanations, friendliness, and attention to safety. The occasional practical concern is the number of people in the water and the need to follow the photo delivery afterward.

Should You Book Shaka Surf Tenerife?

Book this lesson if you want a well-priced, beginner-friendly introduction to surfing near the beach, with equipment and photos already covered. The small group cap and repeated praise for instructors such as Kaia, Martin, and Juan give it a stronger personal feel than a large tourist class.

I would not book it expecting private coaching, empty water, or guaranteed perfect waves. You must be a swimmer, accept changing ocean conditions, and stay alert around other surfers.

For most first-timers staying in southern Tenerife, the combination of short beach access, clear instruction, friendly coaching, and a $40 all-in price makes this an easy activity to add to your holiday.

FAQ

How long does the surfing lesson last?

The activity lasts two hours. It includes a theory section of about 20 minutes, a warm-up, and time surfing in the water.

Where does the lesson meet?

You should meet at Shaka Surf Tenerife school and arrive 15 minutes before the class begins. Send a WhatsApp message to receive more details about the meeting point.

What equipment is included?

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

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The lesson is designed for complete beginners and also offers personalized help for people with more experience.

Which languages are available?

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

Is the lesson suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women?

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