Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

Surfing at Playa de las Américas is a friendly way to try Tenerife’s most famous water sport without buying gear or committing to a full course. In two hours, you get a 20-minute land lesson, warm-up, coached practice, and photos to take home. I especially like the small groups, limited to six, and the range of instructors, including Rodri, Gabriele, Juan, Marco, Kaia, and Calvin.

The main catch is that surfing depends on the sea. Some days bring gentle beginner waves, while others are bigger and tougher. You may stand up several times, or spend much of the lesson learning how to paddle and balance. That is normal, not a failure, but you should arrive ready for a physical and sometimes wet challenge.

Key points at a glance

• A real beginner-friendly introduction: You learn how to paddle, position the board, and stand up before entering the water.
• Small groups of up to six: Instructors can give you individual tips instead of leaving you to guess.
• A practical central location: Shaka Surf Tenerife is about 30 meters from the waves at Playa de las Américas.
• Useful gear is included: Board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, insurance, snack, water, and a shower are part of the price.
• Photos are included: The school photographs the session, giving you a record of your first waves.
• Good language coverage: Lessons are offered in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian.

What the $50 price gets you in Tenerife

At $50 per person, this is a fair-value introduction to surfing, especially because the price covers the equipment and several practical extras. You are not paying only for time on a board. The package includes a certified instructor, surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, insurance, a snack, water, a shower, and photos.

That matters in Tenerife. Buying or renting the separate pieces of equipment would make a casual first attempt less simple. You can arrive with swimwear and a towel, then use the school’s gear rather than trying to work out which board or wetsuit suits the conditions.

The lesson lasts two hours. That is long enough to get past the initial confusion of handling the board and learn the basic movement, but short enough to fit into a day around Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas. Keep in mind that the 20-minute theory session and warm-up take part of that time. You are not promised two full hours of nonstop paddling.

The included photos improve the value for a first lesson. Surfing is hard to photograph from shore while you are busy staying on the board, so having pictures from the session gives you something more useful than a quick phone snapshot. The quality has been praised repeatedly, though the number of photos is not specified.

Meeting Shaka Surf Tenerife near the waves

You meet at Shaka Surf Tenerife’s school 15 minutes before the class starts. The school is about 30 meters from Playa de las Américas, so the transition from changing and instruction to the beach is short and simple.

Send the school a WhatsApp message before the lesson to confirm the exact meeting details. That is sensible because the supplied information gives the school name and beach area, but also specifically asks you to use WhatsApp for more precise directions.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the school, which suits people already staying in the south of Tenerife. If you are staying elsewhere, allow extra time for transport and arrive early rather than trying to find the school at the last minute.

Wear swimwear under the rented wetsuit and bring a towel. One useful tip is to wear underwear beneath the wetsuit, as a previous participant found the changing routine more comfortable that way. The school provides water shoes and a lycra top, so you do not need to bring special surf clothing.

The first 20 minutes: learning the moves on land

The lesson begins with about 20 minutes of theory. This is one of the most valuable parts for a first-timer because surfing has several new movements to remember at once.

You learn how to paddle, where to place yourself on the board, how to position the board in the water, and how to perform the takeoff. The takeoff is the quick movement from lying on the board to standing, and it is where many beginners lose balance.

The instructors also explain how to paddle correctly. That may sound basic, but good paddling helps you catch a wave and keeps you from wasting energy. If you use your arms poorly, you can tire out before the useful part of the lesson begins.

Expect the instructor to demonstrate movements and correct your body position. Names that appear often in the school’s teaching team include Juan, Marco, Kaia, Calvin, Rodri, Gabriele, and Kaja. The exact instructor depends on the day, but the school offers instruction in seven languages, which can make the technical explanations easier to follow.

The language list includes Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, Slovenian, and Croatian. If you book in one language, it is worth confirming it in advance. One participant booked an Italian lesson that was ultimately taught in English, and although it caused no real trouble for that person, clear communication before arrival is wise.

Warm-up, boards, and getting into the water

After the theory comes a warm-up. Surfing calls for more than balance. You paddle with your arms, push your upper body up from the board, and repeatedly move between lying, kneeling, and standing positions.

You then take the provided board toward the water. The instructors do not simply send you out with a few instructions from the beach. The strongest part of this lesson is the hands-on help in the water, where teachers steady boards, offer corrections, and help you choose the right moment to try.

The group limit of six is important here. A large class can turn a surf lesson into a queue, with long stretches spent watching someone else attempt a wave. A six-person maximum gives the instructor a better chance to notice your weak side, correct your stance, or help you time a push.

Several participants singled out the instructors’ patience. That is especially useful when you are nervous, have never swum in open ocean water, or lack confidence in your balance. One first-time participant described being helped through strong waves by Rodri, while others praised Kaia, Juan, Calvin, Marco, and Gabriele for clear step-by-step coaching.

You should still be realistic about the physical demands. One participant pointed out that arm strength made the push-up movement difficult. Surfing is accessible to beginners, but it is not effortless. You will probably fall, swallow some water, and need to try the same movement several times.

Playa de las Américas and the changing waves

The lesson takes place at Playa de las Américas, in the south of Tenerife. Conditions can change, and the class does not control the size or shape of the waves.

Some sessions have small waves that are well suited to a first attempt. Other days bring larger or more powerful waves. When conditions become too difficult, instructors may move the group to a quieter place, as happened during one session with big waves. That flexibility helps keep the lesson suitable for mixed abilities.

You may find that the best day for learning is not the day with the most dramatic surf. Smaller waves give you more time to follow the instructions, get your feet under you, and balance before the board stops moving.

For more experienced surfers, the lesson can still have value, but expectations should be clear. This is a group session, not a private performance clinic. Tell the instructor what you want to improve, such as paddling, positioning, or taking off, and the coaching can be adjusted to your level. The school describes the lesson as suitable for complete beginners and advanced participants, but a skilled surfer may prefer more time and personal attention than a group format provides.

What it feels like to catch your first wave

The first successful stand is often brief. You may stay upright for only a few seconds before falling, but that short moment shows that the basic movement is working.

The school’s approach is encouraging without pretending surfing is easy. Instructors may give you a hands-on push to help the board catch a wave, then explain what to change on the next attempt. The useful feedback is usually specific: adjust your feet, look ahead, keep your balance, or paddle harder.

Some people manage to stand on the first lesson. Others only reach a kneeling position or get close to standing. Both outcomes are reasonable after two hours. One participant recommended taking at least two lessons because the first is largely about learning the movements and understanding the ocean.

I would follow that advice if surfing is a serious interest. The first session teaches you the language of the sport and removes the mystery from the board. A second lesson gives you more time to work on timing and consistency rather than remembering every step.

The atmosphere also matters. Several instructors were described as calm, funny, patient, and energetic. That can change the whole feel of the lesson. A mistake becomes another attempt instead of an embarrassing moment, which is useful when you are learning in front of other people.

Photos, snacks, water, and the practical extras

Photos are included in the price, and the school takes them during the session. This is a genuine advantage for couples, families, and friends because everyone can get in the water without leaving one person behind to take pictures.

The photos also capture the parts you may miss. You might remember falling, while the camera catches the moment you actually stand. Several participants considered the photos clear and worthwhile, though no delivery method or exact number is provided in the activity details.

A snack and water are included. That is a small but welcome touch after paddling and repeated attempts to stand. You still need to arrive hydrated, especially if you are spending a full day in the sun around Playa de las Américas.

The post-surf shower is another practical benefit. A wetsuit session leaves you ready for a rinse, and having a shower at the school makes it easier to continue with your day. You still need to bring your own towel.

Insurance is included as well. That does not remove the need to follow the instructor’s directions or respect the sea, but it is useful to know it forms part of the activity package.

Who should book this lesson

This lesson suits you best if you are:

• Trying surfing for the first time
• Looking for a short activity in southern Tenerife
• Traveling with friends or family who have mixed ability levels
• Keen to learn with an instructor in the water
• Interested in photos without asking someone in your group to stay on shore
• Comfortable with a physical activity in the ocean

It is also a good choice if you feel nervous. A first-time surfer with no open-water swimming experience still found the lesson liberating and supportive, though strong waves made the session challenging. That suggests the instructors are used to helping anxious beginners, but you should not expect the sea to feel calm every day.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or non-swimmers. Those restrictions matter. Even a gentle beginner session takes place in the ocean, and you need enough swimming ability to manage yourself in the water.

Families can enjoy it too, provided each participant meets the requirements. A group of five family members completed the lesson together, and the small-group format can help keep a family session personal.

What the high rating tells you, and what it does not

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 1,314 reviews, which points to very consistent satisfaction. The praise focuses on the same practical strengths: patient instructors, clear explanations, help in the water, good language support, and included photos.

That consistency is more useful than praise based only on one charismatic guide. Different instructors received strong comments, including Juan, Marco, Kaia, Calvin, Rodri, Gabriele, Kaja, and others. You can expect the teaching quality to depend partly on the person assigned to your group, but the overall method appears steady.

The rating does not mean every session produces perfect waves. Several people noted that the surf was either too big or not ideal. The instructors can choose a quieter area and adapt the lesson, but nobody can guarantee the sea will deliver easy waves at your chosen time.

It also does not mean you will definitely stand up. Some people did so quickly, while others managed only to kneel or needed more practice. The better way to judge the activity is as a structured introduction, not a promise of instant surfing success.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

The lesson costs $50 per person and lasts two hours. Group size is limited to six, and you should meet at the school 15 minutes before the class begins.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is helpful if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. There is no hotel transfer, and the school asks you to send a WhatsApp message for more meeting-point details.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel

The school supplies the rest of the listed equipment, including the surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra.

Should you book the Shaka Surf Tenerife lesson?

I would book this if you want a well-supported first taste of surfing rather than a long, serious training course. The $50 price is strong for a two-hour lesson with equipment, certified instructors, insurance, refreshments, shower access, and photos.

You should choose it with the right expectation. Your real achievement may be standing for a few seconds, kneeling successfully, or simply learning how to handle the board in the sea. If you want to improve, book a second lesson and use the first session to learn the basics.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, pregnant, or hoping for a guaranteed calm sea and effortless success. For everyone else, the small group, multilingual instruction, patient water coaching, and photos make this a sensible way to meet Tenerife’s waves.

FAQ

How long does the surfing lesson last?

The lesson lasts two hours, including about 20 minutes of theory, a warm-up, and practice in the water.

Where does the activity take place?

The lesson takes place at Playa de las Américas in the south of Tenerife. Shaka Surf Tenerife’s school is about 30 meters from the waves.

How early should I arrive?

Meet your guide at the school 15 minutes before the class begins.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a surfboard, wetsuit, water shoes, and lycra.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos from the surf session are included in the price.

Is water or food included?

A snack and water are included.

Is a shower available after surfing?

Yes. A shower after the lesson is included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. The school provides the listed surf equipment.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The lesson is designed for complete beginners as well as people with more surfing experience.

Is the lesson available in several languages?

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

Is the activity suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.