Lanzarote Surfing Session

Famara Beach is where this Lanzarote lesson earns its keep. After a half-hour ride from Puerto del Carmen, you carry the boards onto the sand, learn the basics, warm up, and head into the Atlantic with a certified instructor close by. You do not need prior experience, and the lesson is built around getting you onto your first manageable waves.

I like the in-water coaching, rather than instruction that ends at the shoreline. I also like the practical extras: hotel pickup in selected Puerto del Carmen areas, wetsuits and boards, bottled water, snacks, and photos or videos sent by WhatsApp when conditions allow. The main consideration is that surfing is tiring, and the advertised session can finish early if the group is worn out or agrees it has had enough.

Key points to know before booking

• Famara Beach on Lanzarote’s north coast: The lesson takes you to one of the island’s main surf beaches, with the practical class held directly on the sand and in the water.
• The instructor stays in the water: You receive hands-on guidance and encouragement as you try to catch your first waves.
• Good for first-timers: Beach theory, a warm-up, and step-by-step practice are included, so you do not need previous surf experience.
• Pickup and equipment included: Selected Puerto del Carmen hotels receive pickup and drop-off, with boards, wetsuits, water, snacks, and insurance supplied.
• GoPro footage may be provided: Photos and videos are included when weather conditions permit, and can be sent through WhatsApp.
• Allow for a demanding two and a half hours: There is a short break of about 10 minutes, but you may be ready to stop before the planned finish.

Why Famara is the right setting for a first surf lesson

Famara gives this activity a clear sense of place. You are not practicing on an artificial platform or spending the whole lesson in a swimming pool. You are on Lanzarote’s north coast, carrying a real board across the sand and learning to read real waves under the eye of a local surf school.

The location also helps the lesson feel like more than a quick holiday novelty. School3S Surf Sup y Soul operates from C. la Graciosa, 5, in Tías, but the active part of the class takes place at Famara Beach. The transfer from Puerto del Carmen takes about 30 minutes each way, leaving you with roughly two hours at the beach within the approximately two-and-a-half-hour experience.

For a first session, the beach setting matters. You receive basic theory before entering the water, so the instructor can explain board position, how to get up, and what to watch for before you start trying. I would not expect a quiet private beach or a gentle sightseeing stop. This is an active class, and the Atlantic decides how easy the day will feel.

From Puerto del Carmen to the sand

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in Puerto del Carmen. If you are staying farther away, the school may give you a meeting point closer to the activity rather than collecting you at your door. Check this before booking, since the included transport does not cover every area of Lanzarote.

The timing deserves a little patience. Pickup can run slowly if other people are delayed, so you are asked to be punctual and patient. Arrive at the agreed point early, with enough time to find the meeting place and avoid holding up the group.

Transport time counts within the surf day. The drive to Famara takes about half an hour, and the return takes about the same. That is useful for planning, but it also means the water session is not a full two hours and a half. The time includes transfers, changing, carrying equipment, instruction, and the short break.

At the end, you help collect the boards and other equipment, return to the van, change, and prepare for the ride back. It is a simple arrangement, but the changing time is worth remembering. Wear easy clothing for afterward and keep valuables to a minimum.

Beach theory, warm-up, and the first attempts

At Famara, the class begins with equipment and beach instruction. This is the part that keeps the lesson from becoming a confusing scramble in the surf. You learn the basic movements on land, then warm up before heading into the water.

The school supplies the surfboard and wetsuit, so you do not need to pack specialist equipment. Wetsuit sizing is handled before the lesson, and Paolo has been particularly careful about confirming sizes and pickup details. Give accurate measurements when asked. A poor wetsuit fit can make a tiring activity feel much harder.

The warm-up is not filler. Surfing asks you to push up from your stomach, balance on a moving board, and repeat the same action many times. The class can include adults and children together, with the group starting on the beach before moving into the water. Families should note that children as young as 7 and 9 have taken part, including children who spoke only French, but the activity still demands energy and attention.

Once the theory is finished, the instructor helps you put it into practice. Expect repeated attempts rather than instant success. Your first aim is not elegant surfing across the whole beach. It is to understand the timing, get stable, and stand on the board when the wave gives you the chance.

The important difference: coaching in the water

The strongest feature of this session is the instructor’s position. Your instructor stays in the water with you, close enough to watch your safety, suggest adjustments, and encourage you to take the next wave. That is more useful than receiving a beach demonstration and then being left to work everything out alone.

For a beginner, small corrections can make a large difference. You may need help with where to place your hands, when to push up, or which wave to try. The instructor can respond while the situation is happening, rather than explaining everything after you come back to shore.

The staff also work with mixed ages and abilities. Paolo is named as a coach who handled both children and adults, while Diego and Andrea helped a French-speaking family get their children standing on the board. The available information does not promise that you will have one of these instructors, but it does show the school’s approach: active coaching, encouragement, and attention to different levels.

There is one point to weigh carefully. The class description promises constant support and personalized attention, but the booking information allows up to 60 participants. Those details do not fit perfectly together. The experience is also described as using small groups, so ask the operator about the size of your specific departure if close personal coaching is your top reason for booking.

A short break, then a sensible stopping point

After the first period in the water, expect a short break of about 10 minutes, not an hour. Bottled water and snacks are provided, with bananas specifically included in the equipment and refreshment arrangements mentioned for the lesson. Use the pause to drink, catch your breath, and listen to any extra tips.

Surfing uses more strength than it first appears to require. Paddling, lifting your upper body, balancing, and repeatedly falling or climbing back onto the board can leave beginners tired quickly. The instructor may ask if you want to continue or stop when the planned time is nearly over.

That flexibility is helpful. You should not feel that you have failed if you stop before the full session. The aim is to learn safely and enjoy the activity, not to turn a holiday lesson into an endurance contest. On the other hand, if you still have energy and the group agrees, you may continue practicing until the planned time is up.

The session operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for the day. Surfing itself requires the supplied wetsuit, but bring sensible clothing for the journey and time after changing. The weather can affect comfort and the ability to record footage, even if the class goes ahead.

Photos and videos that preserve the lesson

GoPro photos and videos are included when weather conditions permit. This is a useful extra because a beginner is usually too busy balancing to see what their technique looks like. A short clip can show where you placed your feet or how quickly you stood up.

The footage may be sent to you through WhatsApp. Make sure the school has the right contact information and that you are comfortable receiving files that way. Do not treat the video promise as guaranteed in every circumstance. The inclusion depends on conditions, and the activity can proceed without footage.

The videos also add value to the $60.34 price. You are paying for instruction, equipment, insurance, transport in eligible areas, drinks, snacks, and a record of the attempt, not just access to a surfboard. If you would otherwise need to rent equipment and arrange transport separately, the package is easier to justify.

Is $60.34 a fair price?

For a first-time surfer staying in or near Puerto del Carmen, I consider the price reasonable because several costs are bundled together. The package includes hotel pickup and return from selected hotels, a certified instructor, a surfboard, a wetsuit, bottled water, snacks, full activity insurance, and weather-permitting video.

The value is strongest if you need everything supplied. A visitor who already owns a wetsuit, board, and transport might prefer to arrange a cheaper independent session, but that is a different product. Here, you are paying for a guided introduction with safety support and a ride to Famara.

The price is less attractive if you expect a private lesson or guaranteed one-to-one instruction. The experience uses small groups, but the maximum listed capacity is 60 people. Ask about the departure size and instructor ratio if personal coaching is essential. The in-water support is a real strength, but the amount of individual attention depends on the group.

The approximately two-and-a-half-hour duration is also important. It is not two and a half hours of uninterrupted surfing. Around an hour is spent on the return journey, with additional time for changing and equipment. That still leaves a worthwhile beach session, but set your expectations correctly.

Who will enjoy this Famara lesson?

This class suits adults and children who want a first try without buying equipment or arranging their own transport. You should be comfortable with physical activity, getting wet, falling from a board, and repeating the same movement several times.

It also suits families. The instructors have worked with children and adults in the same outing, and younger children have managed to stand on the board with help. Language may not be a barrier in every case, as the staff have successfully supported children who spoke only French, but the activity is offered in English, so clarify communication needs in advance.

It is a good choice if you value encouragement more than a polished, private lesson. The instructor pushes you to take waves while staying close for safety. That approach gives you a real chance to improve during the session, though it may feel demanding if you prefer a slow, highly controlled introduction.

I would not choose it for someone with a fever or flu symptoms. The activity is physically taxing, and the booking information specifically advises against attending when ill. You should also consider your general comfort in the water before booking, since this is an active surf session rather than a beach demonstration.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Pickup applies only to selected Puerto del Carmen hotels and some nearby areas, so confirm your exact location before relying on door-to-door transport.

The activity ends back at the meeting point if you do not use an eligible pickup. The listed start point is C. la Graciosa, 5, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain. Public transportation is nearby, according to the supplied details.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. This matters if your Lanzarote plans may shift, so do not leave the decision until the last day.

Full insurance coverage applies during the activity. That does not remove the need to listen to the instructor or follow safety directions. Your instructor’s presence in the water is the practical part of the safety setup, especially during those first attempts.

Should you book the School3S surf session?

I would book this if you want a well-organized first taste of surfing at Famara and value having the equipment, transport, instruction, refreshments, and insurance bundled together. The best reason to choose it is the instructor’s active presence in the water, not simply the promise of standing up once.

The strongest fit is a beginner, couple, or family staying in Puerto del Carmen who wants a half-day activity without arranging much independently. Paolo, Diego, and Andrea are examples of the encouraging, flexible teaching style you can expect from the school, though instructor assignment is not guaranteed.

I would pause if you need a private class, guaranteed video, or a full two and a half hours of surf time. Confirm the pickup area and expected group size before paying. For everyone else, $60.34 is a fair package price for a tiring, good-natured introduction to Lanzarote’s surf culture, with a real chance to come back tired and happy.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson take place?

The active lesson takes place at Famara Beach on Lanzarote’s north coast. The listed meeting point is C. la Graciosa, 5, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. This includes transport time, with the ride to Famara taking about 30 minutes and the return journey taking about 30 minutes.

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The lesson is suitable for first-time surfers and includes beach theory, a warm-up, and guided practice in the water.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Puerto del Carmen. If you are staying farther away, the school may provide a nearby meeting point instead.

What equipment and refreshments are included?

Surfboards, wetsuits, bottled water, snacks, and full insurance coverage during the activity are included. Bananas are also mentioned among the supplied refreshments.

Will I receive photos or videos?

Photos and videos from a GoPro are included when weather conditions permit. They may be sent through WhatsApp.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.