Surf lessons in Las Canteras Beach

La Cícer is the surfing end of Las Canteras Beach, and this two-hour class puts you close to the waves instead of sending you across Gran Canaria for a lesson. You’ll learn with a board and the rest of the needed equipment supplied, then work on basic skills or sharpen technique you already have.

I like the strong safety focus and the patient teaching. I also like the practical setup: the school is only a few meters from the beach, and you can choose a private or small-group format. The main drawback is that the advertised two hours may not mean two full hours in the water. One participant reported a session of about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so keep your plans a little loose.

Key points at a glance

• Surf at La Cícer: This is the section of Las Canteras Beach used for surfing, not the calmer beach areas.
• Patient instruction: Carlos is noted for clear guidance, while Marco is described as easy to get along with.
• Equipment included: Boards and other necessary gear are supplied, along with insurance and care for personal belongings.
• Tide-based scheduling: Start times can change with tides and weather, so confirm the time before heading over.
• Beginner-friendly format: You can learn the basics or work on technique, with English and Spanish instruction available.
• Know your limits: You must be able to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with some health and mobility concerns.

Why La Cícer is the right place to learn

Las Canteras is one of the best-known urban beaches in the Canary Islands, but it is not one uniform stretch of sand. La Cícer, at the beach’s surfing end, is the part that gives this lesson its purpose. You are based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, close to city services, yet you can still reach an area chosen for its surf conditions.

That location matters. A beginner lesson works best when the school is close to the water and the schedule can respond to the sea. You will not have to arrange a separate transfer to a distant surf spot. The meeting point is the University Surf School at calle Secretario Padilla, 168, Las Palmas 35010.

The school is a few meters from Las Canteras Beach. That should make the change from arrival to lesson fairly simple, although you still need to allow time to find the meeting point and get ready. No pickup service is included, so plan your own route to the school.

What the two-hour lesson is designed to teach

This is an intensive introductory course, but it is not limited to people who have never touched a surfboard. You can use the lesson to learn the basics or improve your technique, depending on your level.

For a first-timer, the useful goal is to understand the foundations well enough to begin taking a board onto the waves. That means the instructor’s attention to safety and clear directions matters as much as the excitement of standing up. You should expect instruction built around getting comfortable with the board, understanding how to approach the waves, and making progress at a sensible pace.

If you already have some experience, tell the instructor what you want to improve. The school teaches everyone from beginners to high-performance surfers, so you may be able to use the session to work on a specific part of your surfing rather than repeat a basic introduction.

The class lasts two hours according to the advertised schedule. Still, the exact amount of time in the water can vary. One participant said the session lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so do not book a tight appointment immediately afterward. Tide and weather conditions can also affect the start time.

Safety comes before the first wave

This school places clear attention on safety, which is exactly what you want in a surf lesson. The staff and instructors are described as careful about safety and customer care, and the course includes insurance.

You must know how to swim. This is not a casual beach activity for someone who is uncomfortable in the water, even if the lesson is aimed at beginners. You also need a reasonable level of fitness, since getting on and off a board and handling the water takes physical effort.

The activity is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, non-swimmers, or people with a low level of fitness. Children under 15 must attend with an adult, so families should pay close attention to the age rules before booking.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed during the activity. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Drinks and food are not included, so have water and a snack before or after the lesson if you need them.

Equipment and changing into surf mode

All necessary equipment is included in the price. You do not need to bring your own board or arrange separate rental, which keeps the booking simple and makes the $54 price easier to judge.

The condition of the equipment matters to a beginner. A poor board or worn gear can make learning harder, especially when you are already trying to balance, paddle, and follow instructions. The equipment was described as clean and in good condition, and another participant said the materials worked well for a first lesson.

The school also takes care of personal belongings, and insurance is included. Those details reduce some of the usual beach-day worries, though you should still bring only what you need. The supplied information does not specify lockers or a particular changing-room setup, so ask the school if you have valuable items or special storage needs.

The instructors: clear help for first-timers

The strongest part of this experience is the teaching. Carlos is described as patient and clear, with professional instructions that suited a beginner. Marco is described as friendly and easy to get along with. Those details give you a useful sense of the teaching style: expect instructors who aim to make the process understandable rather than rushing you into the water.

Instruction is available in English and Spanish. That is important in a sport where timing and body position can be hard to explain. If you are learning in a language you do not speak comfortably, request the language you prefer when you book.

The school has more than 10 years of experience teaching sports, from complete beginners to high-performance participants. That does not guarantee that every class will feel identical, since conditions and group size can change, but it suggests that the instructors are used to adjusting the lesson to different abilities.

Private and small-group options are available. A private lesson may suit you if you want direct correction or have a specific technique goal. A small group can be a better-value choice if you like sharing the experience with others, but the amount of individual attention may differ.

The tide sets the clock

The timetable is not completely fixed. Classes run Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, depending on the tides and sea conditions. The starting time may change so the school can offer a safer and more useful session.

This is a good reason not to think of the class as a rigid appointment. You should check availability and confirm the start time before you go. If you have only one free morning or an evening flight, the tide-based schedule may make this activity harder to fit in.

The changing time is not a flaw in itself. Surfing depends on the sea, and a fixed schedule could force a lesson into poor conditions. The tradeoff is less certainty for your day plan. Leave room around the class, especially because one participant found the actual session shorter than two hours.

Is $54 a fair price?

At $54 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to spend two hours at the beach, but it includes more than access to a board. You receive the necessary equipment, instruction, insurance, and care of personal belongings. English or Spanish guidance is available, and private or small-group formats may be offered.

The value is strongest if you are a beginner. Buying or renting equipment separately, then trying to teach yourself in unfamiliar surf, may save money but gives you less structure and less safety support. Here, your payment covers the instructor’s attention and the chance to learn in an organized setting.

For an experienced surfer looking only for a board, $54 may feel high because a lesson is built into the price. The activity makes more sense if you want feedback, a refresher, or help taking your surfing to the next level.

Food, drinks, and transport are not included. Add those costs if you are planning a full beach outing. You also need to arrange your own way to the school, although the central Las Canteras location makes that simpler than a remote surf excursion.

Who will get the most from this class?

This is best suited to an adult or teenager aged 14 or older who can swim and wants a guided introduction to surfing. It fits a short stay in Las Palmas because the school is near the beach and the activity lasts only two hours.

It also suits you if you want to try surfing without buying gear. The school supplies what you need, and the class can be taken in English or Spanish. The reported experience with Carlos and Marco suggests that patient, friendly instruction is a major part of the appeal.

You may want to choose a private or small-group session if you are nervous, have a clear technique goal, or want more direct help. If you are simply curious and enjoy learning alongside other people, a regular group format may be enough.

This is not a good match if you cannot swim, have a low fitness level, or need an activity suited to mobility limitations. Pregnant participants and people with heart problems should not book this activity.

How to make the most of your morning or afternoon

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel and sunscreen. Sunscreen is easy to overlook when your attention is fixed on the water, but you will still be exposed to the strong Canary Islands sun before and after the lesson.

Do not bring a heavy beach bag or valuables you do not need. The school provides care for personal belongings, but the supplied details do not explain the exact storage system. Keeping your possessions to a minimum is the sensible approach.

Arrive with enough time to locate the University Surf School and listen to the instructor. Because the school may alter the start time for tide or weather reasons, check the schedule before leaving your accommodation.

If you are new to surfing, focus on learning the movements rather than expecting a perfect ride at once. One participant’s first lesson included catching waves, but your result will depend on the conditions, your fitness, and how quickly you get comfortable on the board.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is useful if your Gran Canaria plans are still shifting, especially since the class time can depend on the tide.

That flexibility does not remove the need to check the age, swimming, and health requirements. Confirm the final meeting time as well, since the scheduled hour may change.

Should you book the Las Canteras surf lesson?

Book this if you want a structured first taste of surfing in Las Palmas, value patient instruction, and prefer not to organize equipment yourself. The safety emphasis, clean gear, English and Spanish teaching, and central La Cícer location make it a practical choice.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed two full hours, a fixed start time, or an activity that demands little physical effort. The tide-based schedule and reported 1 hour and 40 minute session are worth keeping in mind.

For a swimmer who wants to catch a first wave or improve basic technique, I think the $54 price is reasonable. Choose a small group or private format if personal instruction matters most, and keep the rest of your day flexible.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

Meet at the University Surf School at Playa de las Canteras, calle Secretario Padilla, 168, Las Palmas 35010.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The actual session can vary, and one participant reported a session of about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Where does the surfing take place?

The lesson takes place at La Cícer, the surfing area of Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

What equipment is included?

All necessary equipment is included. The activity also includes insurance and care of personal belongings.

Do I need to bring a surfboard?

No. The required equipment is supplied by the surf school.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English and Spanish.

Can I book a private lesson?

Private or small-group options are available.

Can children take the lesson?

Children under 14 are not allowed to participate. Children under 15 must attend with one adult.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I take the lesson if I cannot swim?

No. Participants must know how to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can the start time change?

Yes. The starting time can vary because it depends on the tide and weather conditions. Classes are offered Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, subject to sea conditions.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.