Lanzarote: dynamic surf lessons with friends or private lessons in Famara

Famara Surf Club keeps its surf lessons small, with no more than five people in a group. That matters on a busy beach: you get more turns, more direct advice, and a better chance of catching waves during your first class. Private lessons are also available, either for you alone or for your group of friends.

I like the personal coaching and the clear lesson structure, which moves from warm-up to sand exercises and then into the water. I also like the instructors’ long experience in Famara, including Marcio, who receives special praise for correcting small details that can make a big difference. The main drawback is that the schedule can change with the weather, so you need to check the time by WhatsApp before booking.

Key points

• Maximum five people: Small groups allow instructors to give each surfer useful, direct advice.
• Private options: Book one-to-one coaching or a private lesson for your own group of friends.
• A full 2.5-hour appointment: You receive two hours of surfing, plus time to meet, prepare, return equipment, and change.
• Practical beginner training: The class covers a surf-specific warm-up, theory, sand drills, and water practice.
• Experienced local teaching: The instructors have 18 years of experience teaching in Famara.
• Weather-led scheduling: Contact the school on WhatsApp to confirm the best class time.

Why Famara’s small-group format matters

Surf lessons can vary wildly. A large class may look cheaper at first, but you can spend much of the session waiting on the beach or watching other people take their turns. Famara Surf Club limits each group to five people, which gives the instructor room to watch your technique and offer corrections.

That small number is especially useful in a first lesson. You are still learning how to position the board, paddle, stand, and keep your balance. A quick adjustment from the instructor can help you avoid repeating the same mistake for an hour.

You can also choose a private lesson. This makes sense if you are traveling with friends who want to stay together but have different abilities. It also suits a beginner who prefers close attention without a larger group nearby.

The school’s approach is active rather than purely explanatory. You will not simply hear a short safety talk and then get sent into the water. The session begins with preparation on the beach, so you have a chance to understand the movements before dealing with a moving board and breaking waves.

Meeting the school van on the Famara road

The meeting point is not described as a traditional shop on the beach. You meet the large white Nissan NV400 school van on the road to Famara Beach, at the intersection of the main road and Camino del Molino. The school sends the exact location by WhatsApp, so do not rely only on a general map pin.

Arrive 15 minutes before the class. This gives the team time to welcome you, explain the equipment, and help you get ready without cutting into the water session. If you have a preference for a type of surfboard, tell the school ahead of time.

The included equipment is simple and useful: a surfboard and wetsuit. Bring swimwear to wear underneath, a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops. You should also plan for the short period after the lesson, when you return the equipment and change.

The location arrangement is worth noting before you pay. If you expect a beachside reception desk or a formal changing room, this setup may feel more informal. On the other hand, meeting at the van keeps the process direct and makes the school easy to identify once you have the exact WhatsApp location.

The first 15 minutes: getting ready to surf

The class starts with a specific warm-up for surfing. This is not wasted time. Surfing asks your legs, shoulders, arms, and core to work together, and a focused warm-up helps you move with more control once you are on the board.

The warm-up also gives the instructor a first look at the group. In a small class, that early contact can help the teaching feel more personal. You can explain your experience level, mention any board preference, and ask about anything that makes you unsure.

The school accepts beginners and aims to help you catch waves from your first class. That does not mean every person will stand up repeatedly or master the sport in two hours. It means the session is planned around early progress, with practical coaching rather than a long general presentation.

Non-swimmers should not book this lesson. Surfing takes place in the water, and the school specifically lists the activity as unsuitable for people who cannot swim. Children under 14 are also excluded.

Sand training before the water

After the warm-up, the class shifts to theory and functional exercises on the sand. You learn the basic movements and practice them before putting them to use in the water.

This is one of the stronger parts of the format. On a surfboard, a beginner has several tasks to handle at once: lying in the right position, paddling, timing the wave, pushing up, placing the feet, and keeping balance. Rehearsing the movement on land gives you a clearer sequence to follow.

The sand work also lets the instructor correct technique before you are dealing with waves. The value of a small class becomes clear here. Instead of hearing one explanation for everyone, you can receive advice based on your own stance and movement.

Marcio is especially praised for noticing small details and taking time to understand how each student surfs. That kind of attention can be useful even if you have tried surfing before. One strong point from the available feedback is that previous experience in northern Spain and Australia did not prevent a student from learning new things in this lesson.

The sand section will not feel like the most exciting part of the activity if you are eager to get wet. Still, it is important preparation. Rushing straight into the water may sound more fun, but it usually gives a beginner less control.

Two hours in the water at Famara Beach

The main part of the lesson takes place in the water. You use the board and wetsuit provided by the school and practice the techniques covered on the sand.

The instructors aim to get you catching waves from the first class. Keep your expectations sensible. Early success may mean catching a small wave, standing briefly, or learning how to position yourself more effectively. Surfing is a skill sport, and conditions affect how much you can do in one session.

The coaching style is designed to keep you moving. The school describes the lesson as dynamic, with individualized attention rather than a passive beach demonstration. The small group limit supports that goal because the instructor can spend less time managing a crowd and more time watching each person.

A good lesson is not only about standing on the board. You are also learning how to handle the board, respond to the water, and understand the timing of a wave. The instructors reinforce the idea that enjoyment matters, which is sensible for a first attempt. If you spend the whole class worrying about perfect technique, you may miss the fun that makes you want to continue.

The beach location is another part of the appeal. Famara is the setting for the lesson, so you are practicing in a real surf environment rather than an artificial training facility. The school’s long record of teaching in Famara means the instructors have spent many years working in the area, though the exact conditions on your day will still depend on the weather and surf.

Why the weather can change your class time

The school may adjust the schedule to protect the quality of the lesson. This is not a minor booking detail. Surf conditions influence safety, learning, and how much value you get from the two hours in the water.

Contact the school by WhatsApp before booking to check availability and the current schedule. The school works with small groups, so there may be fewer time slots than at a large surf operation. Weather changes can also affect the planned start time.

I see this as a practical trade-off. A fixed schedule is easier for a tightly packed day, but a flexible time can produce a better lesson. If your Lanzarote plans include several activities, leave some room around the surf class rather than scheduling another important appointment immediately afterward.

The total appointment lasts about 2.5 hours. Two hours are devoted to the lesson, with 15 minutes before class for meeting and preparation and 15 minutes afterward for returning equipment and changing. The extra time is useful when planning transport or lunch in Famara.

What the $59 price includes

At $59 per person, the lesson includes the board, wetsuit, ISA-certified instructor, sand training, and two full hours of water instruction. You are paying for more than equipment rental. The main value is the coaching time and the small group size.

For a complete beginner, the limited group can make the cost worthwhile. A cheaper lesson with a crowded class may provide less personal instruction, especially during the key moments when you need help with your stance or timing.

The value is stronger if you want instruction rather than simply borrowing a board. The team teaches a planned progression, from warm-up to theory, sand exercises, and water practice. If you already surf confidently and only need equipment, this is probably not the right product for you.

Private lessons cost more in many surf-school settings, but the supplied price is listed as $59 per person for the activity overall. Confirm the exact price for your preferred private format before booking, particularly if you are arranging a lesson for a group of friends.

You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote schedule is still taking shape. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful here because the school’s schedule depends on weather and availability.

Which kind of surfer will enjoy this most?

This lesson is best for adults and teenagers aged 14 or older who can swim and want hands-on instruction. It suits a first-time surfer, but it can also help someone with limited experience who wants better technique.

I would choose the small group if you want a social class and a lower-cost format while still receiving direct attention. It works well for friends who want to learn together without joining a large school group.

I would choose private coaching if you have a specific goal, want the instructor’s full attention, or are traveling with friends who want a session built around their own group. Private teaching can also make sense when people in the group have different levels.

This is less suitable if you need a rigid start time, cannot swim, are under 14, or want to spend the day independently riding waves without instruction. It is also not ideal for a rushed itinerary, since the school may adjust the schedule and the full appointment takes about 2.5 hours.

Language, instructors, and the teaching feel

Instruction is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. That gives you a useful choice if you are more comfortable receiving quick technical advice in one of those languages.

The school has 18 years of surf-teaching experience in Famara and around the world. That experience is meaningful because surfing lessons depend on small, immediate decisions. The instructor needs to tell you when to paddle, how to position yourself, and what to change on your next attempt.

The strongest personal praise is directed at Marcio, whose teaching is described as different from a packed school lesson. Alessandro is also singled out for being especially friendly and helpful. These details suggest a warm teaching style, but instructor availability may vary, so you should not assume you will receive one specific instructor unless the school confirms it.

The available feedback also gives the class a perfect five-star rating from six reviews. That is encouraging, though it is still a small sample. I would treat it as a useful sign of customer satisfaction rather than a guarantee that every lesson will match the best experience described.

Small details that make the day easier

Use WhatsApp before booking, not only after you arrive. You need the exact van location and should confirm the class schedule, since the school works with small groups and weather can change the timing.

Bring the basics:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Flip-flops

Tell the school in advance if you have a surfboard preference. Wear sunscreen even if the day feels cool, since the lesson takes place outdoors and the surf session can last two hours.

Plan for a short changing period after the class. The activity includes 15 minutes after the lesson for returning the board and wetsuit and getting changed, but no other facilities are specified. Keep your plans simple around the lesson and follow the school’s instructions about where to leave personal items.

Should you book Famara Surf Club?

Book this lesson if you want a small, personal surf class with equipment included and a clear progression from beach training to water practice. The maximum of five students is the main selling point, and the flexible scheduling makes sense in a sport shaped by weather and surf conditions.

I would be especially inclined to book it for a first lesson, a small group of friends, or a surfer who has tried before but wants detailed corrections. The $59 price offers good value when you use the two hours of instruction and receive the board, wetsuit, and ISA-certified teaching.

Think twice if you cannot swim, are under 14, need a fixed timetable, or simply want board rental. For everyone else, confirm the time by WhatsApp, arrive 15 minutes early, and expect a practical lesson that puts you in the water without skipping the useful work on the sand.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

You meet at the Famara Surf Club school van, a large white Nissan NV400, on the road to Famara Beach near the intersection of the main road and Camino del Molino. Contact the school by WhatsApp for the exact location.

How long does the activity last?

The surf lesson includes two full hours of instruction. The total appointment lasts about 2.5 hours, including 15 minutes before class and 15 minutes afterward.

What equipment is included?

The school provides a surfboard and wetsuit. The lesson also includes the sand exercises and water practice.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are limited to a maximum of five people. Private lessons are also available for individuals or groups of friends.

Can beginners take this surf lesson?

Yes. The class is designed to teach the basic movements and aims to help beginners catch waves from their first class.

Are private lessons available?

Yes. You can book an individual private lesson or a private lesson for your group of friends.

Which languages are spoken?

The instructors teach in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops. Tell the school in advance if you have a surfboard preference.

Can children join the lesson?

Children under 14 are not suitable for this activity.

Can non-swimmers participate?

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

Can the class time change?

Yes. Weather conditions may affect the schedule. Check availability and the class time by WhatsApp before booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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