Playa de las Américas Surfing Lesson: First Waves, Tenerife

You've Never stood on a board before: here's where you actually will

You learn the mechanics on sand before touching the water, take instruction in your language, and get a fitted board and wetsuit for the session. The instructor photographs you and reviews the shots afterward so you see what you're actually doing. Pickup happens near the beach. Exact timing confirms after booking based on conditions and instructor availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Group surfing lesson at Playa de las Américas

• Receive booking confirmation
• Attend theory explanation
• Practice standing on board on ground
• Do water surfing practice
• Take surfing photos
• Participate in photo analysis

The experience

Most people think surfing lessons start in the water. This one doesn't. You show up at Playa de las Américas in Tenerife, and the instructor walks you through the theory first: how to position yourself, where your weight goes, what the ocean's actually doing. Then you practice on the sand, standing up on the board without any water involved, until it stops feeling foreign. Only after that do you paddle out. It sounds like a small thing, but it changes everything about whether you actually catch a wave instead of just getting knocked around.

The lesson runs in whatever language works for you (English, Russian, Latvian or Spanish), so there's no fumbling through instructions you don't understand while you're cold and wet. Your instructor explains things before, during and after, and they're watching the conditions the whole time. The exact start time gets confirmed after you book, because the ocean doesn't keep a schedule and neither do the swells. You get a wetsuit, reef booties so the rocks don't shred your feet, and a surfboard that's sized for where you actually are as a learner, not some generic rental.

During the session they photograph you, not the polished Instagram kind, but real shots of you on the board, falling off, paddling back out. After the lesson you sit down and go through the photos together, so you can actually see what you did right and what to work on next time. It sounds like a detail, but it's the difference between leaving thinking "that was fun" and leaving knowing what you're supposed to do when you paddle out again.

What’s included

• Your lesson includes a surfboard fitted to your level, a wetsuit, and reef booties.
• Instruction happens in your chosen language (English, Russian, Latvian, or Spanish), with theory and sand practice before water work.
• The instructor photographs you during the session and reviews the images with you afterward to show what you're doing on the board.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 07:00

Ages18 to 45 years · Seniors (46+) · 14 to 17 years · Under 14 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it starts

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tenerife Surf Point

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to actually learn to surf instead of just paddle around: the sand practice and photo review mean you leave knowing what to do next time, not just that you tried.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

14 to 17 years. Under 14: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Do I need experience to take this lesson?

No. The lesson is designed for first-timers. You start on the sand and move to the water only after you've practiced standing on the board.

What's included in the lesson?

Surfboard, wetsuit, and reef booties. Photos are taken during the session and reviewed with you after.

What if the weather is bad?

The exact start time is confirmed after booking based on conditions. If conditions are unsafe, the instructor will reschedule.

Is there parking or transport to Playa de las Américas?

Public transportation options are available nearby. Confirm pickup details when the instructor contacts you.

Who shouldn't do this lesson?

It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.