Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for Kids in Las Americas

The best part of this Tenerife activity is that your child gets a proper introduction to surfing without being tossed into a large class. At Playa de Las Americas, instructors teach paddling, balance, and standing on the board step by step, with Teide rising in the distance as a memorable backdrop.

I like the private-group format and the clear safety focus. I also like that the lesson includes reef boots, a wetsuit, a softboard, and accident insurance, so you need to bring only swimwear and flip-flops. The main catch is that your child must know how to swim, and weather or sea conditions can change the lesson time or cause a postponement.

Key points for parents

• Two hours on the water: Enough time for an introduction to surf technique without taking up the whole day.
• Private instruction: The lesson is tailored to the child’s ability, from a first attempt to early skill-building.
• Safety comes first: Instructors lead children through the basics, and accident insurance is included.
• Equipment provided: Your child receives a wetsuit, reef boots, and a softboard.
• Spanish or English guides: Raffa is specifically praised for being kind, competent, and good with children.
• Swimming ability required: This lesson is not suitable for non-swimmers, and sea conditions can affect the schedule.

A gentle first step into surfing

This is a practical choice for families who want their children to try surfing in a controlled setting. The lesson is built around the basics, not flashy tricks. Your child learns how to handle the board, paddle, find balance, and work toward standing on a wave.

That matters because a first surf lesson can feel like a lot to a child. There is unfamiliar equipment, moving water, changing balance, and a new set of instructions to follow. Personal guidance gives the instructor room to adjust the pace instead of pushing every child through the same routine.

The lesson is described as private, which gives it a more personal feel than a standard large group class. You should still confirm the exact group arrangement when booking if more than one child will attend. The activity is aimed at children and young people who want to begin surfing, from complete beginners to kids who already have some basic ability.

The two-hour length is well judged for a first session. It gives enough time to learn the land-based basics and spend time trying the skills in the water, while avoiding an all-day commitment. Younger children may find the physical effort tiring, so keeping the rest of the day flexible is sensible.

What your child learns during the two hours

The exact timing depends on the sea and weather, but the core lesson follows a clear progression. Your child begins with the basic movements needed to control the board and prepare for a wave.

Paddling is one of the first skills. It may look simple from the beach, but body position matters. The child needs to lie on the board in a balanced way and use the arms efficiently. Good instruction here helps prevent the board from wobbling or turning at the wrong time.

Next comes the basic standing technique. The instructor explains how to move from lying down to a stable stance on the softboard. This is the moment many children are waiting for, but it works best when the earlier steps are understood first.

The lesson then moves toward catching small waves with confidence. Your child may not stand on every attempt, and that is normal. The value of the session is learning how to read the movement of the water, follow instructions, and try again without turning the lesson into a test.

The softboard is a useful choice for beginners. It gives children a forgiving platform while they work on balance. Reef boots and a wetsuit add comfort and protection, though the equipment does not remove the need for close attention and good swimming ability.

Personal instruction from Rocky Point Surf Experience

Rocky Point Surf Experience provides the lesson with instructors who speak Spanish and English. That is useful for international families, especially when a child needs instructions repeated in simpler words or explained in another language.

Raffa is named specifically as an instructor who is kind, competent, and good with children. That combination matters more here than a long list of advanced surfing credentials. A child who feels comfortable asking questions is more likely to listen, try the movements, and enjoy the first attempts.

The teaching style is built around safety and individual attention. From the supplied feedback, one private lesson for a 14-year-old focused on basic surfing skills, with particular praise for the high level of safety and the child’s happiness with the experience. That is a useful guide to the lesson’s tone: this is an introduction, not a promise of instant surfing ability.

I would choose this format for a child who is curious but slightly nervous. The instructor can keep the focus on small wins, such as holding the correct position, paddling in the right direction, or standing briefly on the board. Those moments are often more valuable than trying to cover too much technique at once.

Playa de Las Americas and the view toward Teide

The setting adds plenty to the day. The surf school is at Playa de Las Americas, one of Tenerife’s best-known coastal areas, with views toward Teide volcano. You get an active beach experience with one of the island’s most recognizable natural sights in the background.

The view is not just a photo opportunity. It gives parents something interesting to enjoy while the child is learning, and it helps make the lesson feel like part of a Tenerife holiday rather than an indoor activity with water attached.

The supplied information describes the location as offering one of Europe’s better waves. Conditions are never guaranteed, so I would treat that as a description of the surf setting, not a promise that your child will find perfect waves on the day. The instructor’s judgment and the sea conditions determine how the lesson runs.

Weather is an important part of the planning. The starting time depends on conditions, and the lesson can be postponed or canceled if the weather is unsuitable. That flexibility is sensible for a water activity, but you should avoid scheduling it immediately before an important flight, timed excursion, or restaurant booking.

Equipment that keeps packing simple

The price includes the equipment your child needs for the lesson:

• Wetsuit
• Reef boots
• Softboard
• Accident insurance

That is a useful package for families. You do not need to buy or rent a board separately, and you do not need to work out which type of board suits a beginner. The softboard is supplied as part of the lesson, along with clothing designed for time in the water.

You need to bring swimwear and flip-flops. A towel is not listed among the included items, so I would check with the provider before leaving your accommodation if you want to know whether one is supplied. Photos are not included, so bring your own phone only if you can keep it safe and dry. The lesson itself is the focus, not a built-in photo package.

Accident insurance is included. That does not replace the need to follow the instructor’s directions or to tell the provider about any relevant concerns before the lesson. The most important safety requirement is simple: every child must know how to swim.

Is $93 per person good value?

At $93 per person for two hours, this is not the cheapest way to fill a morning at the beach. The price makes more sense if you value instruction, supplied equipment, and a private-group setting.

A casual beach day costs less, but it does not give your child the same step-by-step teaching. You would also need to arrange a suitable board and wetsuit, and you would not have an instructor guiding the first attempts. For a family that wants a real introduction to surfing, those elements make the cost easier to justify.

The strongest value comes from the personal attention. In a big class, a beginner may spend time waiting for a turn or watching from the beach. Here, the lesson is intended to match the child’s ability. That can matter greatly for younger children or anyone who is trying surfing for the first time.

The price will feel less worthwhile if your child is unsure about the water, cannot swim, or simply wants to play on the beach. This is an active lesson with a clear purpose. Book it for a child who wants to learn, not just for a child who likes the idea of a surfboard in a holiday photo.

Finding the meeting point in Las Americas

The meeting instructions use a local landmark rather than a formal street address. Look for the big stairs next to the BBVA bank. Go straight, then turn right. The local is at the end of the corridor.

That route is worth reading before you arrive. If you are traveling with children, equipment, and beach gear, you will want to know where you are going rather than start the lesson by searching around the area. Allow enough time to find the stairs and corridor, especially if you are unfamiliar with Playa de Las Americas.

The provider is Rocky Point Surf Experience. The activity is offered in Spanish and English, and the group type is private. The lesson lasts two hours, but the available start time depends on the date and current conditions.

Who will enjoy this lesson most?

I would recommend it for a child who meets three basic conditions: they can swim, they want to try surfing, and they can listen to safety instructions. The activity suits first-timers particularly well because the teaching begins with basic techniques rather than assuming prior experience.

It can also work for a child who has tried surfing once or twice and wants more help with balance, paddling, and standing. The instruction is adjusted to ability, so a budding beginner does not have to start from exactly the same point as someone who has never touched a board.

The lesson may suit families with a 14-year-old particularly well, based on the available feedback about a successful private session at that age. Younger children may also take part, but the provided information does not give a minimum age. If age is a concern, ask Rocky Point Surf Experience before booking.

I would not choose this for a non-swimmer. That is a firm exclusion, not a minor footnote. I would also think twice if your child strongly dislikes cold water, physical activity, or changing plans, since the lesson can move or be canceled when conditions are poor.

A small but useful cancellation cushion

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve-now-and-pay-later option, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife schedule.

That flexibility is especially useful here because the lesson time depends on weather and sea conditions. You can keep the booking in place while leaving room in your itinerary for a change of time. Still, read the final booking terms carefully and keep the provider’s instructions available on the day.

Should you book the Playa de Las Americas lesson?

Book this activity if your child can swim and genuinely wants to learn the basics of surfing. The two-hour private format, included equipment, English and Spanish instruction, and safety-first approach make it a sensible first lesson. Raffa’s positive mention as a kind and capable instructor is another encouraging detail for parents who care about how their child will be treated.

The $93 price is reasonable for personal instruction with equipment included, though it is more than a simple beach rental. The main risks are practical: weather can change the plan, photos cost extra, and the meeting point takes a little attention to find.

For a surf-curious child, this is a focused way to add an active morning to a Tenerife holiday. For a child who cannot swim or is not ready for the sea, choose another activity. The decision is simple: if the interest and swimming ability are there, Rocky Point Surf Experience offers a well-supported first step on the board.

FAQ

How long is the kids surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours.

Where does the surfing lesson take place?

It takes place at Playa de Las Americas in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.

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 equipment is included?

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

What should my child bring?

Bring swimwear and flip-flops.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak Spanish and English.

Can the lesson be changed because of the weather?

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