Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for Kids in Las Americas

The most appealing part of this lesson is its private format. Your child gets direct attention from the instructor instead of trying to copy a coach from the back of a large class. I like the step-by-step approach, especially for a first lesson, and I like that safety and confidence come before showing off.

The setting is another strong point. Playa de Las Americas offers an easy beach base with views toward Mount Teide, and the price includes the main equipment plus accident insurance. The catch is simple: your child must know how to swim, and rough weather can change or cancel the session.

Key points for parents planning the lesson

• Private coaching: The lesson is designed for children who need close instruction and plenty of individual attention.
• A practical first step: Children learn paddling, basic surfing technique, balance, and how to stand on a softboard.
• Child-friendly instruction: Instructor Raffa has been praised for being kind, capable, and good with children.
• Gear is included: The package supplies reef boots, a wetsuit, and a softboard, along with accident insurance.
• Weather controls the schedule: The start time depends on sea conditions, and the lesson can be postponed or canceled if needed.
• Bring only the basics: Your child needs swimwear and flip-flops. Photos are not included.

A first wave at Playa de Las Americas

This is a short, focused introduction to surfing rather than a full day at the beach. Over two hours, your child gets a private lesson built around the basics: paddling, positioning, standing up, and gaining enough confidence to catch a first wave.

That private setup matters. Children learn at different speeds. One may be ready to stand quickly, while another needs more time to feel comfortable lying on the board and moving with the water. With one instructor working closely with the student, the lesson can match the child’s ability instead of forcing everyone through the same routine.

The experience is based at Playa de Las Americas in southern Tenerife. The beach setting gives the lesson a clear visual reward, with the ocean in front and views toward Teide volcano behind. Your child gets a proper taste of surf culture without needing to commit to a long course.

The advertised price is $93 per person. That is not a budget beach activity, but it covers two hours of private instruction, the softboard, wetsuit, reef boots, and accident insurance. For a child who wants a real introduction to surfing, the one-on-one format gives the price more weight than a standard group lesson would.

Photos are not included. If you want pictures of the first successful ride, ask about that before booking, since the package itself does not cover them.

What the two-hour lesson is likely to cover

The session is built around practical progress. The exact order can change with the sea and the child’s ability, but the teaching focuses on the skills a beginner needs before heading into the water alone.

Your child should expect instruction in:

• Paddling technique
• Basic surfboard control
• Safe positioning in the water
• Standing on the board
• Catching a small wave with confidence
• General surfing basics

The softboard is a sensible choice for beginners. It is designed for early practice and gives a child a forgiving platform while learning balance. Reef boots and a wetsuit are included, so you do not need to rent the core kit separately.

The lesson is not presented as a competition. The useful goal is a safe first connection with surfing. A child who stands briefly, understands how to paddle, and feels comfortable in the water may come away with exactly the right foundation for a later group lesson or another private session.

Parents should keep expectations realistic. A two-hour class can introduce the sport, but it cannot turn a complete beginner into a skilled surfer. The best result is a child who learns the basic movements, enjoys the water, and wants to try again.

Why private instruction helps children

A private class can be especially useful for a child who is shy, easily distracted, or nervous about falling. The instructor can repeat a movement, adjust the explanation, and provide encouragement without stopping to manage a large group.

The experience also suits a more confident young surfer. The lesson is described as suitable for beginners through budding surfers, with instruction adjusted to ability. That means a child with some previous experience may not need to spend the whole session on the very first steps.

One instructor named in the feedback is Raffa, who was praised for being kind, capable, and good with children. A separate private lesson for a 14-year-old boy was also described as safe, friendly, and useful for learning the basics. That is encouraging if you are booking for an older child who wants independence but still needs close supervision.

The language options are Spanish and English. If your child is more comfortable in one of those languages, the lesson should be easier to follow. No other teaching languages are provided, so check this point if your child needs instruction in another language.

Safety comes before the standing wave

The most important rule is also the clearest: every student must know how to swim. This lesson is not suitable for non-swimmers, even if a child is comfortable in a shallow pool or has used a bodyboard before.

The instructors use a safety-first approach and guide children through the first waves with close attention. Accident insurance is included in the price, but insurance does not replace basic swimming ability or sensible supervision from parents.

Weather and sea conditions can affect the lesson. The start time depends on the conditions, and the class may be postponed or canceled if the weather is unsuitable. This is normal for a water sport, but it matters when you are planning a tightly packed Tenerife day.

I would avoid booking this as the one activity that must happen at a precise hour. Leave some space around it, especially if you have a flight, restaurant reservation, or another timed excursion later. If conditions change, flexibility will make the day much easier.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several family activities before the holiday.

Reaching the surf school

The meeting point requires a little attention. Take the large stairs next to the BBVA bank, walk straight, then turn right. The local is at the end of the corridor.

That description is useful but not especially obvious if you are hurrying with a child and beach gear. I would allow extra time to find the entrance, and I would keep the meeting instructions available on your phone. The activity details do not give a separate transport service, so plan to make your own way to the meeting point.

Bring swimwear and flip-flops. The provider supplies the wetsuit, reef boots, and softboard, so there is no need to carry a board or water shoes from home. A towel is not listed among the included items, so bringing one is a sensible personal choice, even though it is not part of the official packing instructions.

Because children will be using specialist equipment, arrive ready to change and listen to the instructor. The more smoothly the class starts, the more time your child has for actual practice.

The Tenerife setting adds more than a backdrop

Playa de Las Americas is a strong place for this kind of holiday lesson because it puts the child close to the center of Tenerife’s surf scene. The sea is the main attraction, but the view toward Teide gives the experience a clear sense of place.

For a child, the setting can help turn a standard lesson into a holiday memory. They are not practicing on an indoor simulator or in an anonymous pool. They are learning on the coast of Tenerife, with a famous volcanic peak visible from the area.

That said, the view should not be the reason you book. The lesson succeeds or fails on the quality of the coaching and the sea conditions on the day. Teide is a nice bonus, not a guarantee of perfect waves.

The promotional wording describes the area as having some of Europe’s best waves, but conditions vary. Do not assume your child will get dramatic surf every time. Beginners generally benefit from manageable conditions, and the weather may change what the instructor can safely offer.

Is $93 per child good value?

At $93 per person, this is best judged as a private coaching session, not as a simple equipment rental. The price includes two hours with an instructor, the softboard, wetsuit, reef boots, and accident insurance.

If your child only wants to try standing on a board once, the cost may feel high. A family on a tight budget could prefer a group lesson, if one is available elsewhere. This activity does not include photos, so you also do not get a ready-made record of the day as part of the price.

The private format changes the calculation. You are paying for attention, tailored instruction, and a lesson aimed at one child’s ability. That can be worthwhile when your child is nervous, has never surfed, or learns better with direct coaching.

The value is also stronger if your child is keen to continue. A successful introduction can give them the basic movements needed for another class later in the holiday. One 14-year-old student was happy enough with the private introduction to plan a group lesson a few days afterward, which suggests the session can work well as a first step rather than a one-off stunt.

Who should book this lesson?

I would consider this lesson for a child who:

• Can swim confidently
• Wants to try surfing for the first time
• Benefits from private attention
• Is comfortable following safety instructions
• Would enjoy a physical activity during a Tenerife holiday
• May want to continue with more surfing later

It can also suit a young person who has tried surfing before but wants more direct help with the basics. The instructor can adjust the session to the student’s ability, though the activity remains centered on beginner skills.

I would not book it for a non-swimmer. I would also think twice if your child dislikes water, becomes distressed when falling, or has no interest in learning the movements. Surfing involves repeated attempts, and a child needs to accept that the first few tries may be awkward.

The activity is aimed at children, but the supplied details do not give a specific minimum or maximum age. If your child is very young, contact the provider before booking and confirm that the lesson is suitable.

A practical choice for a holiday morning or afternoon

The two-hour length is manageable for most family schedules. It gives your child enough time to learn and practice without taking up an entire day.

Still, do not plan the rest of your schedule too tightly. The lesson time depends on weather and sea conditions, and the start time can vary. Since the class may be postponed or canceled when conditions are poor, keep a backup plan ready.

The private group format may also work well for siblings or friends, but the available information does not explain how many children can join one private booking. If you want several children to share the session, ask the provider how the private group is organized and priced.

The main preparation is simple: make sure your child has eaten appropriately before the lesson, can swim, and is ready to listen. The official packing list is just swimwear and flip-flops, while the school supplies the water equipment.

My verdict: book it for focused first-time coaching

I would book this lesson for a child who is excited about surfing and would benefit from close instruction. The strongest reasons are the private format, included equipment, clear safety focus, and the chance to learn in Playa de Las Americas with Teide in view.

The $93 price is easier to justify if your child values personal coaching or you want a calmer first lesson than a busy group class may provide. It is less attractive if you only want a quick beach activity or if your child is not sure about getting in the water.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, check that your child can swim, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes. If Raffa is available, the early feedback about his work with children is another useful reason to ask for him by name, but the lesson should not depend on one instructor being available.

For a young surfer ready to try something new, this is a practical and memorable introduction. Just treat the weather as part of the plan, not an inconvenience to ignore.

FAQ

How long is the surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $93 per person.

What equipment is included?

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

Does my child need to know how to swim?

Yes. Every student must know how to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish and English.

Can the lesson be changed because of weather?

Yes. The lesson time depends on weather and sea conditions. It can be postponed or canceled when conditions are unsuitable.

What should my child bring?

Bring swimwear and flip-flops. Photos from the lesson are not included.