Surf Lesson in Tenerife – A Great Surf Vacat...
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A Surf Lesson on reef doesn’t sound appealing except when the water is of tropical proportions and there is almost no offshore winds. Couple this with gentle rolling breaks and you have a fantastic combination in which to learn on.
Having said this its not for the feint hearted.
Surf Lesson on Reef not for the Feint Hearted
You have to be committed. The entry and exit of the water is the most dangerous with slippery uneven rocks to walk over, not to mention balance and carry your longboard surfboard through all this.
I traveled all the way around the island of Tenerife for good surf conditions for both a surf lesson and larger waves. The early November conditions brought with them a NE/NW swell which meant that the best conditions were in the SW of the island, namely Playa de Las Americas.
Surf Lesson at Playa de Las Americas
The Surf Lessons are taken usually in the wash at Las Americas. You can get surf lessons from half a dozen places in the town and even from the beach kiosk, they also do a pretty mean Mohito but i’ll save that story for another day.
Wherever you do decide to go you can expect to have wetsuit, surf shoes, a rash shirt and longboard surfboard included in the price. To be honest, in November, the water is so warm that you really don’t need anything else other than your shoes so you don’t slice up your feet.
Hiring Surf Equipment
Many places offer free surf lessons as long as you hire the equipment from them. Longboard surf hire (with everything above included) is approximately 15 – 20 Euro per day and this is reduced the longer you hire.
I hired for 3 days and it cost me 12 Euro per day.
For the best surf lesson experience i thoroughly recommend you go and speak to one of the surf shops and ask them how the swell is and what the conditions are like for a surf lesson. If the weather is not good they will tell you and usually give you a good estimate of how many days until the conditions improve.
You cant beat local knowledge so don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
El Medano not for Longboard Surfing
Of note, not every person on the island can distinguish good surf lesson conditions and good windsurfing conditions. The reason i mention this is that some will say to head to El Medano for great surf conditions but the only thing you’ll find there 99% of the time is 20-30kt offshore winds and dozens of kite and wind surfers. I’ll save you the drive and time right now.
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Surf Boards, what do I really need?
Surf boards and surfboard design have changed so much in the last five years that regardsless if you 
are a season veteran or a newbie to the surfing world, and still haven’t had your first surf lesson, choosing a board is not simple. There are many types of surfboards available. Anyone can buy a surfboard and obtain reasonable success in riding it if they put enough time and effort into it. The secret to fast tracking yourself to surfing success and lets face it, having as much fun in the water as you can get, is to choose the surfboard thats right for you in between all the types available. Easier said than done if you dont know where to start.
Today we are going to dispel some of the myths of surf boards. Correct choice comes down to correct use. What does that mean you say. What we’re going to do is tell you which board is the best for you for your expereince level and style of surfing. Lets face it, we’re not all Kelly Slaters and are on the ASP tour.
Considerations for surf boards
The most important factors to consider when choosing a board is your height,weight, level of fitness and style of surfing will determine which board is best suited for you. If your just learning to surf or just had your first lesson then a large board is better. On the other hand you’ve been surfing for a while and want a board that can turn and cut-back like a pro then something 10ft long and 3inches wide will not be the one you want to spend your money on.
If you follow the basic ideas in this article I believe that within two minutes you can decide which board type is the one for you.
Types of surf boards
There are as many surf boards out there as types of waves and locations to ride them. Dont consider that just because you havent seen a type of board in your location it doesnt exist somewhere else. There are a myriad of surf board designs out there with custom surfboards popping up every second day.
We’re only really going to be touching the surface in the this article. You could read a whole book of board types, designs and uses let alone cram it all in one article. The basic rules still apply for surf board choice; height, weight, level of skill and intended use. These are really the big four.
Surf boards can be classified into 4 basic categories. Beginner boards, longboard surf surfboards, mini mal surfboards and shortboards. For ease of understanding we are going to divide the 4 board classes into longboards and shortboards.
Beginner surf boards and longboards
Longboards are instantly recognised by their sheer size. These boards are typically seen and originated from Hawaii. You’ve seen the movies where they hang ten and walk along the board. In this category are also beginner surf boards and arguably mini mal surfboards, albeit at the small end of the scale. These are the boards that are recommended for learning to surf, if your body weight is typically greater than 200lb or the waves are smaller.
Longboard typically range from 8ft to 10 plus feet and range anywhere from 2 to 4 inches thich. The volume of board gives you the buoyancy and stability that you need for when you are learning, heavier bodyweight or surfing smaller waves with less energy/speed to keep you floating. for those of you who dont think wave speed is important in not sinking thenjust try and stand up on your board in a pool or no waves. You literally sink. The speed/kinetic energy of the wave gives you the increased buoyancy you need to stand up on the board.
Performance and shortboards
Shortboards are distinct in their shape and easily identifable by their pointed tips, thin bodies and sleek designs. These range from 5 – 7ft depending on the users weight and paddling ability. The stronger you can paddle the smaller the board you will be successful on.
If your a big wave surfer then this is the board for you with narrow noses and tail. The big wave boards are much larger and more powerful. Board size ranges from 7-9ft in length. These boards need to have the stability and buyoancy to be picked up by a large wave (15-20 plus feet) and accelerate down the face witout losing balance, ability to turn and sinking the rider. They’re like a performance board on steroids.
Fish surfboards are identified by their distinct tail. The V tail gives better performance and handling, tighter and faster turning ability while also having the ability of the board to be thicker catering for heavier bodies and those with less paddling power. These are the boards that paddle like a longboard but turn like a shortboard.
Choose a board in this category if you are an accomplished surfer who has no trouble getting up and on waves and wants more than just a straight ride. These are the boards where you want tighter turns, crisper cut backs or the speed and acceleration to pull away from large dumping barrels.
Basic surf board selection comes down to your ability, weight and intended use. Once you have a clear idea where you fit into this equation you have just saved yourself tens of hours of frustration and potentially thousands of dollars that could have been better spent on the right board.
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Longboard Surfing and its evolution
Longboard surfing is probably the easiest and most fun way to get into surfing. Longboard surf is a slowed down more graceful version of surfing with soul. You can feel the power of the water yet not fear that any slight movement will throw you off like a bucking bronco. Longboard surfing is also the safest way to start your surfing addiction.
Longboards by their description are generally 8-14ft long.
The Duke
They can have variations of tail and fin design but most commonly will have a large central single fin and rounded tail. This is the type of board you can hang ten on but also surf on the big waves. Longboards are synonymous with Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport from Hawaii to mainland USA and Australia in 1912 and from there it evolved. As technology and popularity spawned so did board design, size and materials.
The Classic Longboard
Modern Longboards
The fin configuration of a modern longboard is still largely influenced by its classic ancestors. A typical large single fin setup giving good control but slow response. With modern innovation and technological advances the thruster setup has taken flight. This three fin setup introduces better turning and thrusting capability over the 1950’s style boards.
Big wave surfboards
Big wave Surfboard
Big wave surf boards, or Gun’s as they are commonly called range from 9 – 12ft. These sleek tear drop shaped boards pierce through the large waves effortlessly. The Gun incorporates shortboard performance features into a longboards structure. The hybrid structure allows better paddling performance to catch the big waves but then shortboard performance and handling to cater while riding it. This is far from a beginners board and surf conditions.
Longboard surfing is like the circle of life. In your infancy as a beginner surfer during your first surf lesson you’ll appreciate every extra foot you can get for your balance, buoyancy and stability. Then as your experience level progresses you’ll work up to shorter faster boards that need the extra paddling power of a sub olympic swimmer.
As the years pass and your pursuit of speed and sharp turns flails you’ll come back to your old friend. Your longboard that you can now ride with finesse and caress your way through the water, tango down the stringer to get your feet wet.
Your new found appreciation of your longboard will stay with you forever, not to say that you wont go and get a rush of speed on your shortboard every now and then but you will always know that your old friend is not too far away.
Here are some articles that you might enjoy:
- Longboard surf festival Poster by rclesign | non.convencional … – Longboard surf festival Poster by rclesign. Here it is, the poster for the National Longboard first leg championship. It was pleasure doing this, working the main illustration, the type and logos to get a beautiful and harmony poster. …
- rclesign sponsors Longboard Surf Festival | non.convencional … – rclesign sponsors Longboard Surf Festival. Yeahh!!! Ist’s true, rclesign will be a sponsor of the first leg of the Longboard National Championship that will occur in April 2009. We will design the championship poster and some more stuff …
Giving your first Surf Lesson
Giving a surf lesson doesn’t mean that your a pro-surfer or instructor. It might not happen today but mark my words somewhere along the track someone will ask you to teach them to surf. They will ask you for a surf lesson not caring whether you can teach or not only that you can surf.
If you do take up the offer and decide to help someone to learn to surf there are several things you will need to consider. Most of us are not naturals at teaching anything let alone something as dynamic as surfing. Each wave is as different as each student. All I can say is follow these basic ideals for teaching your first surf lesson and you’ll be in the ballpark for success.
Surf Lesson Water Awareness
If the beach is your second home, like in mine, then you need not have your eyes open to navigate around your house, open the fridge and sit in your favourite chair. For newcomers however we need to teach them that the water is safe as long as you respect it. Choose a safe surf spot, point out where the surf lifesavers are and where the flags are. In many countries surfing is not allowed between the flags where people are swimming, Point out not to get in the way of other surfers that are already in the water.
The onus on the beginner is to learn safely without negatively affecting those already enjoying the sport. Most times this is easy as beginners will stay in the wash and a lot closer to shore.
Surf Lesson Shore Practice
Practice makes perfect. Well almost. Practice on the shore means drinking less seawater and falling off less. Take your student through the motions on a beach towel of how to stand up and imagine being on the board. The more you do this on the beach the easier it will be for your muscle memory to kick in and you will naturally know what to do.
Surf Lesson
If you don’t have a longboard or softboard available then I suggest you hire one. A surfboard in the 8-10ft range will suffice for most body size and types. There is nothing more frustrating when trying to teach someone to surf with a short board.
This does nothing but frustrate all parties involved and disappoint the student which eventually lose all their confidence and motivation. Just ask my wife how long it was until she tried to learn again after such an experience.
Calming fears during your first Surf Lesson
Most people are scared of waves and it can be terrifying when your not used to them. When teaching someone on their first surf lesson its extremely important to calm their fears and nerves and tell them that your not going out very far. Only into the broken wash and in most cases will be able to stand. If they fall off they can safely stand up on their own.
Walk you student through the wash together and show them how to carry the board out without injuring themselves or others. Instead of just taking a board each into the waves and watching your students from a distance you should, if possible, take only 1 board out and gently push them onto their first few waves so that they can feel what its like to catch a wave.
This will accelerate your students learning and give you a warm fuzzy feeling that your doing a good job. Stay for a few waves and reassure them then you can take a step back and watch them try on their own. If they have huge problems when you let them on their own you might need to go back for some more 1 on 1.
Surf Lesson Attitude
If confidence is king then a Sense of humour is the kings best friend. If you try to instil a good sense of humour and positive attitude in your student even before go head out to the water your day will be a success and each fall will just seem like a comical situation rather than an ego bursting experience.
Teaching someone to surf can be both rewarding and an enjoyable experience. Don’t take it lightly that someone has asked you to give them a surf lesson. Be grateful that someone believes in your abilities. Take your time with your student and always consider their safety. What is obvious to you may not be obvious to your student. IF you are unsure or not confident to the task then politely decline. Better to say no now then cause injury or hours of frustration at the beach.
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5 Ways to Make Your First Surf Lesson a Success
Surf Lesson
The most valuable piece of advice I would give someone who wants to learn how to surf is to get a surf lesson. Your first surf lesson will lay the foundation for many years of enjoyable surfing and will save you countless hours of frustration.
At your very first lesson don’t expect to spend all your time in the water catching barrels or hanging ten off your surf boards. More realistically you’ll spend approximately thirty to forty five minutes of your first lesson on the beach going through water safety and the stand up technique.
On the beach you’ll practice this stand up technique until your arms are sore. Its painful but a necessary evil. When your out in the ocean paddling and the wave is pushing you, your adrenalin will be pumping and there will be water in your face. At this point you’ll be thankful for every second of your practice.
I think that if you can stand up on the board at all you have made your first surf lesson a huge success. You can start getting more ambitious once you’ve set a good foundation for your basic techniques.
I advise you to consider the following when looking for your first surf lesson:
Tip #1 – Accredited Surf School Instructors
When it comes to a surf lesson it is no different than buying any other product. Always check to see if the business is accredited with a national/state training program. This way you will have more of a chance of obtaining a quality surf lesson from an instructor that has been taught how to train students rather than someone that just knows how to surf. A good surfer doesn’t always equal a good instructor.
Tip #2 – Package V’s Single Surf Lesson
It’s difficult to gauge how much you are going to enjoy surfing, if at all, before you have ever tried it. A single surf lesson will give you the taste of what the sport is like and it is from here that you will be able to decide whether you wish to pursue it any further.
A package on the other hand, usually five lessons, will be cheaper per lesson and also gives you the advantage of using the same board, learning from the same instructors who will get to know you and your level and be able to see your progress in order to give you better advice.
Most courses/packages have an outline of what students will be able to achieve by the end and this sometimes helps in making your mind up. However the disadvantage of a package is that if you don’t enjoy the first lesson or decide that surfing is not for you, you have wasted a lot of money for lessons that you are not going to use.
Tip #3 – Instructor to Student Ratio
I think the instructor to student ratio is vitally important in order to get good advice, correction and instruction and to achieve your goals in the quickest possible time. Adult classes should not have more than 8 to 10 students per instructor. Classes for children should not exceed 5 students per instructor due to the safety element.
The lower the ratio the better service and more attention you will receive. This in turn transforms itself into better feedback and quicker results. In short, a smaller group to instructor ratio will result in a more ideal class.
Tip #4 – Surfboards (size matters)
A misconception by most first surf lesson participants is that they will be jumping on a Kelly Slater 5 ft 10 inch fibreglass board and paddling off into the sunset. When making inquiries at surf schools it’s a good idea to ask them what size and type board you are going to be learning on. Make sure you mention that this is your first lesson and you have no experience.
I strongly recommend that you begin your surfing experience with a 9-10ft, foam board and about 3-4 inches thick with rubber fins. This large and thick board helps with buoyancy, balance and control. This size and style of board will make your first few sessions more enjoyable. With a foam board you should be able to pick up waves and ride them literally all the way to the car park.
Tip #5 – Rash shirt & Wetsuits
When booking a lesson check out what clothing they provide. Without a rash shirt and wetsuit your lesson will be far from enjoyable unless you live in Hawaii. If not I’d recommend finding another school that does offer this service. At this stage you don’t want to be spending a lot of money on equipment when your not really sure if you are going to like surfing and continue on in the future.
From experience I would recommend you bring these things along to your first surf lesson:
1. Water
2. Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
3. Boardshorts or swimmers
4. Towel
5. Change of clothes
6. Sense of humour and willingness to have a go.
Congratulations, your now well on your way to becoming a surfer dude (or dudette).
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