Surf lessons in Las Canteras Beach

La Cícer gives you something unusual: a real surf break beside one of Las Palmas’s best-known city beaches. You meet at University Surf School on Calle Secretario Padilla, then head a few meters to the water for a two-hour lesson built around safety, practice, and fun.

I like the combination of good-condition equipment and instructors who work with both first-timers and more advanced surfers. I also like the small-group and private options, plus the practical extras: insurance and care for your belongings are included.

The main catch is that the stated two hours may not mean two full hours in the water. One booking reported about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and class times can shift with tides and weather. Bring patience, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Key points to know before you book

• La Cícer is the surf area of Las Canteras: You are based at the beach’s main zone for surfing, not simply taking a lesson in a calm swimming area.
• Carlos and Marco are named instructors: Carlos is noted for patient, clear teaching, while Marco was easy to get along with during a first lesson.
• The lesson suits beginners and improving surfers: You can learn the basics or work on technique if you already have some experience.
• Equipment and insurance are included: Boards and the necessary surfing gear are supplied, and your personal belongings can be looked after.
• Tides control the schedule: Classes run Monday through Saturday between 10:00 and 19:00, but the start time depends on sea conditions.
• You must know how to swim: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or those with a low level of fitness.

Why La Cícer makes a good first surf lesson

Las Canteras is a major urban beach, but La Cícer has a different feel from the broad sandy stretch used mainly for swimming and relaxing. This is the area selected for surfing, so the lesson puts you where the waves matter.

That setting is useful for beginners. You are not being taught in an artificial pool or on a dry training floor. You learn the basic movements in the same kind of setting where you will eventually use them: on a board, in the sea, with changing waves and tide conditions.

The school is only a few meters from the beach at Calle Secretario Padilla, 168. That short distance keeps the practical side simple. You are not carrying a board across town or waiting for a long transfer before the lesson begins.

I also like the location for another reason: your companion can enjoy Las Canteras while you take the class. The supplied information does not promise a sightseeing program, hotel pickup, or a beach excursion beyond the surfing lesson, so think of this as a focused sports activity rather than a general tour of Las Palmas.

What your two-hour session is likely to include

The course is described as an intensive introduction, with room for people who already surf and want to improve. The exact order can change according to the tide and sea, but you should expect the session to move from preparation and instruction toward practical time on the water.

First, you meet at University Surf School and receive the necessary equipment. The school has more than 10 years of experience teaching sports, from complete beginners through high-performance students. That range matters because a first lesson needs clear basics, while a returning surfer may need more specific help with technique.

The instructors speak English and Spanish. Carlos is specifically praised for giving patient, clear, professional guidance to a beginner. Marco is also named as an instructor who made a first lesson easy and enjoyable. You cannot choose a particular teacher from the information provided, but these names give you a sense of the staff you might encounter.

The teaching goal is straightforward: learn how to handle the board, understand the basic surfing position, and begin catching waves. If you have already surfed, tell the instructor early. The school says the course can also help you improve your technique, so your time need not be limited to beginner drills.

The beach session is where conditions matter most. Waves, wind, and tide affect what the instructor can offer, and the start time may change to match the best available conditions. That flexibility is a good sign for a surf lesson, though it means you should avoid booking it immediately before a fixed-time dinner, show, or airport transfer.

Some students may spend more time practicing the basics, while others may get several chances to catch a wave. A first lesson is not a promise of standing up every time. Still, one first-time booking reported catching waves, which is an encouraging result for a short introductory session.

Safety comes before the fun

The school puts safety at the center of the lesson. That matters in surfing, where even a small wave can feel awkward when you are learning to manage a board, your balance, and the water at once.

You must know how to swim. This is a firm requirement, not a minor preference. The activity is also not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, non-swimmers, or people with a low level of fitness.

There is a slight age detail worth checking. Children under 15 must go on the tour with one adult, while the general suitability information excludes children under 14. In practical terms, a 14-year-old may need adult supervision, and you should confirm the exact arrangement when booking for anyone under 15.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. That rule is sensible for a water sport and helps keep the class focused. Sunscreen is especially important on a beach in the Canary Islands, but apply it before the session and bring a towel for afterward.

Insurance is included. So is care for your personal belongings, which is handy when you need to leave clothing, a phone, or other items behind while you enter the water. The information does not promise secure lockers or describe the storage setup, so bring only what you need.

Boards, wetsuits, and the equipment question

All necessary equipment is included in the $54 price. You do not need to rent a board separately or arrive with surfing gear. That makes this easier for visitors who are testing the sport rather than traveling with equipment.

The condition of the gear matters more than the phrase all necessary equipment. The available feedback is reassuring here: the materials were described as being in good shape, and the school and equipment were described as clean. Another booking also noted that the equipment was in good condition.

You should still bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Drinks and food are not included, so plan those separately. The school is near Las Canteras, but the supplied details do not specify a café stop, snack break, or refreshments during the class.

Good equipment cannot remove the learning curve. A large beginner board may feel stable but still awkward to carry or turn. That is part of the experience, not a flaw. The useful question is whether the gear lets you practice safely, and the available information suggests that it does.

Small groups and private instruction

You can book a private lesson or a small group. The smaller format is valuable because surfing improves through repeated correction. An instructor who can watch your stance, timing, and board control has more chance to fix a problem before it becomes a habit.

Private instruction may suit you if you are nervous, have a particular technique goal, or are traveling with someone at a different level. A small group can be the better value if you want the social side of a lesson while keeping the class more personal than a large beach session.

The exact group size is not stated, so do not assume a one-to-one lesson unless you book the private option. Likewise, the price of $54 is listed per person, but the supplied information does not give a separate private-group rate. Check the available option before paying if the group format is important to you.

The instructors’ teaching style seems to be one of the strongest parts of the activity. Patience, clear instructions, friendliness, and attention to safety come up repeatedly in the available feedback. Those qualities are more useful than flashy surf talk when you are trying to stand on a board for the first time.

How the timing works at La Cícer

Classes operate Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, depending on tide and sea conditions. You should check availability for the actual starting time rather than planning around a fixed daily schedule.

This is normal for surfing. The best lesson time is not always the most convenient time on a clock. A tide change can affect wave shape and water conditions, so a flexible schedule may give you a better session.

The duration is advertised as two hours, but allow some room for the possibility that less than two hours is spent in the full lesson. One booking said the actual time was about 1 hour and 40 minutes. That is the clearest practical caution in the available information, especially if you are comparing this with another activity by the minute.

Even with that reservation, two hours is a useful length for an introduction. A shorter session can feel rushed, while a much longer first lesson may leave you tired and frustrated. Surfing asks a lot of your balance and fitness, so a compact class can be enough to learn the basics without turning the afternoon into a workout marathon.

Is $54 a fair price?

At $54 per person, the price covers the lesson, necessary equipment, insurance, and care for your belongings. It does not include food, drinks, or pickup service.

I consider that a reasonable price if you are starting from zero and would otherwise need to arrange a board, instruction, and insurance separately. You are paying for access to a professional school, not just for a board rental. The instructors’ experience, English and Spanish teaching, and option for private or small-group instruction add practical value.

The value is less clear if you already surf confidently and mainly want access to equipment. This is a lesson rather than an open-ended rental, and the two-hour format is designed around teaching. It makes the most sense if you want coaching, a structured introduction, or help improving your technique.

You should also factor in what is not included. There is no pickup service, so you need to reach the school yourself. You will also need to bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen, and arrange your own food and drinks.

The flexible cancellation policy helps reduce the risk of booking around uncertain plans. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful here because weather and tide affect the exact schedule.

Who will enjoy this most

This class is a good match for an adult or teenager who can swim, has a reasonable level of fitness, and wants a proper first taste of surfing rather than a quick photo opportunity.

It also suits you if you have tried surfing before and want a refresher. Tell the instructor what you already know so the session can focus on technique instead of repeating every basic step.

The experience is less suitable if you dislike changing schedules or need a guaranteed start time. It is also not a good choice if you cannot swim, have one of the listed health restrictions, or want a relaxed beach activity with almost no physical effort.

Families should read the age rules carefully. Children under 14 are not suitable for the activity, and anyone under 15 must go with an adult. The information does not provide a child-specific lesson or a separate junior program.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. That is the essential packing list provided for the class.

Arrive ready to move. You will be learning a physical skill, and your first lesson may involve repeated attempts to get onto the board and catch a wave. You do not need to bring a board or other surfing equipment.

Keep your plans around the lesson flexible. Since the school may adjust the starting time for tides and weather, leave space before and after the activity. This is particularly important if you have a restaurant booking, another timed tour, or transport to catch.

Eat and drink before or after as needed because food and drinks are not included. Do not expect a hotel pickup. The meeting point is University Surf School at Playa de las Canteras, Calle Secretario Padilla, 168, Las Palmas 35010.

Should you book this Las Canteras surf lesson?

Book it if you want a structured, beginner-friendly introduction to surfing in Las Palmas and value patient instruction, supplied equipment, insurance, and a small-group or private option. The strongest reasons to choose it are the La Cícer location, the school’s long teaching experience, and the clear focus on safety and personal help.

I would be cautious if you need a strict two-hour schedule, cannot swim, or are looking for a simple board rental. Also remember that the lesson may last closer to 1 hour and 40 minutes in practice, and the start time can move with the tide.

For a first attempt at surfing, $54 is a sensible price for the package provided. Keep your schedule loose, bring the basics, and treat standing up as a bonus rather than a guarantee. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying the waves instead of worrying about perfect performance.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

The meeting point is University Surf School at Playa de las Canteras, Calle Secretario Padilla, 168, Las Palmas 35010.

How long is the surfing activity?

The advertised duration is two hours. The actual lesson time can vary, and one booking reported about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

What equipment is included?

All necessary surfing equipment is included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Do I need to know how to swim?

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

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English and Spanish. Private and small-group options are also available.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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