Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for Kids in Las Americas

Tenerife is a great place to learn because the vibe is relaxed, the ocean is right there, and you get a big, dramatic backdrop while you practice. This kids surf lesson is interesting because it’s built around hands-on instruction for young riders and a safety-first approach. I especially like that the coaching is step-by-step, so kids are not just shoved onto a board and told to figure it out.

Two things I really like: the lesson is private, meaning your child gets more direct attention, and the guides tailor the session from first-timers to kids who are already trying to improve. One consideration: your child needs to know how to swim, and the exact time in the water can shift with weather and sea conditions.

Key highlights at a glance

• Private coaching for kids, with guidance that adapts to the child’s level
• Playa de Las Americas setting, with views including the Teide volcano
• Full gear included: reef boots, wetsuit, softboard
• Safety is front and center, with a step-by-step path to catching first waves
• Friendly, kid-focused instructors, including one called out by name, Raffa
• Good value for a two-hour session, especially with equipment and accident insurance included

Why Las Americas Is a Smart Start for Kids Learning to Surf

If your kid has been asking to try surfing in Tenerife, this is one of the most practical ways to do it. Playa de Las Americas is set up for visitors and it makes the whole experience simple: you’re at the beach, you’re suited up, and you’re in the learning zone fast. That matters because kids do best when the “setup time” is short and the “doing time” is long.

What I also like is the scenery. The lesson happens where you can see the Teide volcano in the background while you’re working on paddling, balance, and that first stand up. It’s not just a pretty view. It keeps the experience feeling like an adventure, not a school exercise.

The best part for beginners is that the surf school is focused on basics that actually transfer. Paddling technique, how to handle the board, and what to do as a wave approaches are the building blocks that help kids progress without guessing.

The Two Hours: What Your Child Will Do in Real Time

The lesson is two hours, but it’s not random time at the shoreline. You can expect a structured progression built around confidence. Your child’s session is guided by surf instructors who lead them through the right steps for catching their first waves, rather than treating it like a “sink or swim” challenge.

Here’s the practical flow you can plan around:

Gear up first, so learning starts immediately

You’ll use the equipment provided, including reef boots, a wetsuit, and a softboard. This is the setup that keeps new surfers comfortable and safer as they get used to the water, the board, and the feel of waves under their feet.

Teach the skills in the order kids can handle

Early on, you’ll work on core basics like:

• paddling techniques
• surfing fundamentals
• how to position for a wave and respond as it comes

This kind of step-by-step teaching is ideal for kids because it turns big ocean problems into small, doable tasks. A kid does not need a lecture. They need clear cues and repeated practice.

Then comes the goal: standing up on a first wave

The lesson is built toward that big moment, when your child catches waves and works toward standing. The messaging is clear that beginners can make progress, and kids who are more confident get coaching that supports improvement.

And based on feedback from families, the tone matters as much as the technique. A guide named Raffa is specifically praised for being competent and great with kids, which is exactly what you want when your kid’s motivation depends on feeling capable.

You leave with more than one ride

Even if it’s a short session, a good first lesson should give your child something to talk about afterward: what they learned, what felt hard, and what finally clicked. The goal here is not just one successful wave. It’s building the basics so they can keep going.

Safety-First Coaching Means Less Panic and More Progress

Surfing has a reputation for being tough, but kids learn fastest when the adults set a calm system. This lesson is explicitly safety-first, with instructors leading kids through the process of catching their first waves with confidence.

Two practical safety elements stand out from the information you get beforehand and how lessons are described:

• The experience depends on everyone being able to swim, so instructors can focus on surf skills rather than basic survival training.
• The coaching is personalized and based on the child’s ability, from beginners to those already trying to get better.

You’ll also get insurance in case of accident included. I always like seeing this written into the package, because it signals the operator is thinking beyond the fun photos.

One more thing worth considering: the surf session timing can shift with weather and sea conditions, and sessions can be postponed or canceled. That’s not a negative in itself. It’s how you keep the lesson safe and realistic.

Playa de Las Americas and the Teide View During Learning

There’s a reason this area is popular for surf lessons. The beach setting makes it easy to stage lessons and get kids suited up without turning the whole day into a logistics puzzle. And the views are genuinely memorable.

In particular, the lesson takes place at Playa de Las Americas with the Teide volcano visible as part of the backdrop. For many kids, that’s what makes the experience stick. They remember the place, not just the skills.

It also helps you as the parent. If you’re standing there watching your child learn, it’s easier to stay relaxed when the location feels open, scenic, and calm rather than crowded or chaotic.

Meeting Point at BBVA Stairs: How to Find It Without Stress

The meeting point instructions are simple, but they’re detailed enough to get you there if you follow them.

You should take the big stairs next to the BBVA bank. Then:

1) go straight,

2) turn right,

3) the local is at the end of the corredor.

If you’re arriving in the afternoon, give yourself a little buffer. Stairs plus unfamiliar storefronts can add a few minutes of wandering, even when you have directions in hand. Once you’re there, the rest of the lesson should run smoothly, since the activity includes gear and instruction.

What You Get for $93: Value for a Private Two-Hour Session

At $93 per person for a two-hour private group lesson, you’re paying for three things: direct coaching time, included equipment, and safety coverage.

Let’s break that down the way you should when you’re deciding if it’s worth it:

You get equipment included

You don’t need to buy or borrow gear. The lesson includes reef boots, a wetsuit, and a softboard. That saves money and also saves time. For kids, it’s one less variable. The equipment is the right type for learning, and it’s ready when the lesson starts.

You get accident insurance included

Insurance coverage matters when the activity involves water and standing on a moving board. This lesson includes insurance in case of accident, which gives you peace of mind.

You get private-style attention

The lesson is described as a private group, and that’s a big deal for kids. With fewer distractions and less waiting, instruction can happen faster. You also avoid the common problem where kids in a group get only a few turns because the instructor’s juggling everyone.

Finally, at least one family shared that it felt like good value for money and that their child was happy learning the basics. That lines up with how private, gear-included lessons generally feel when they’re done well: your kid progresses because they’re coached well, not because they’re lucky.

What’s not included: photos from the lesson. If you care about images, plan to take your own phone photos or ask whether there’s any way to capture your child’s moments.

Who This Kids Surf Lesson Is Best For

This lesson is designed for kids who want to start learning and parents who want a structured, safe introduction. Based on what’s included and what’s required, here’s the right fit:

Great fit

• Kids who can swim and are ready for a hands-on ocean activity.
• Families who want a private group experience rather than a crowded class.
• Kids who learn best with step-by-step coaching and immediate feedback.
• Teens too, because the instruction is set up for beginners through budding pros. One family booked for a 14-year-old boy and reported he learned the basics and was happy.

Not a match

• Non-swimmers. The lesson explicitly says it’s essential for every student to know how to swim.
• Kids who are extremely uncomfortable in open water might struggle. Even with a safety-first approach, the ocean is still the ocean.

If your child is on the fence, the swimming requirement is the deciding line. If they can swim confidently, this is much easier to recommend.

Weather, Water Conditions, and Why Your Start Time Can Shift

Surf lessons are always tied to conditions, and this one is honest about it. The surfing lesson depends on weather and conditions, and it can be postponed or canceled accordingly.

From a parent perspective, here’s how to handle this without ruining your day:

• Keep the rest of the afternoon flexible if you can.
• Have a backup plan nearby if the session changes time.
• Treat the reschedule as part of doing it safely, not as a failure.

Good surf schools don’t force it when conditions aren’t right. They wait for the moment when kids can learn effectively and safely.

Should You Book This Tenerife Kids Surf Lesson?

If you want a structured, safety-first start to surfing for a child who can swim, I’d book it. The combination of included gear, accident insurance, and private-style attention makes the $93 price feel easier to justify than cheaper lessons that leave you scrambling for equipment or quality coaching.

I’d especially recommend it if your kid responds well to friendly, competent guidance. The instructor Raffa is specifically praised for being great with kids and competent, and that kind of fit matters when you’re trying to build confidence in a new sport.

Only pass if your child cannot swim or if your schedule is so tight that a weather-based shift would cause stress. If you can keep things flexible, this is the kind of activity your child will remember because it mixes real learning with an ocean adventure and a Teide view.

FAQ

Is this a private kids surfing lesson?

It’s a private group lesson, with instruction provided by surf guides. Your child gets coaching geared to their level.

Do kids need to know how to swim?

Yes. It’s essential for every student to know how to swim.

What’s included in the lesson?

The lesson includes the necessary equipment: reef boots, wetsuit, and a softboard. Accident insurance is also included.

How long is the surfing lesson?

The duration is two hours.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instructors speak Spanish and English.

Where do we meet for the lesson?

Meet at the big stairs next to the BBVA bank. Go straight, then turn right. The local is at the end of the corredor.