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Free Surf Lesson’s in Tenerife
Free Surf Lesson in Tenerife? Too good to be true?
Well if I hadn’t had seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. I would have thought here’s another internet marketing scam or typo. But seriously its true. Free Surf Lesson, ask inside.
Like everything in life you get nothing for nothing and this still holds true for your free surf lesson. So yes in some regards there is a catch but only a small one. The place where you get your free lesson you’ll have to hire a board from them … is that all you say .. yep, so realistically if you came on holiday to Tenerife without your surfboard anyway you would have to hire from someone anyway.
A Small Price to Pay for a Free Surf Lesson
And don’t be scared about the price. As of November 2009 a board, booties and rash shirt package on average was 15 Euro per day or less if you hire for more days. I also hired a short wetsuit, not that I really needed it after I realized how warm the water was but you learn these things, for an extra 5 Euro per day. My total was 18 Euro per day for 3 day hire.
Rash Shirt & Booties a Must at Tenerife
And before you ask why you need booties I suggest you read my previous article on surf conditions around Tenerife. 95% of the surf breaks are on reef so trust me when I say you need then to walk out on and to save your feet when you come off. I’ve cut myself quite badly on reef in both Australia and Hawaii and then vowed never to surf bare foot again on it.
The rash shirt is an obvious choice for avoiding a seriously red and itchy chest, plus the added bonus that the rash shirt gives you that extra bit of grip so your upper body doesn’t slide off the board when you are paddling.
Tenerife Surf Break Map
Where to go for your Free Surf Lesson
Before I can tell you where to go to get your free surf lesson lets show you Tenerife on a map so you can see for yourself. On the Tenerife island map above you will see the names of some of the local surf breaks. The best and easiest place to surf in terms of both accessibility of beach and equipment is at Playa de Los Americas. This place is not specifically on the attached map but is located in the South West Corner of the island (bottom left for you non-geographical types) where La Izquirda is shown.
Playa del Los Americas has 4 surf breaks. La Izquirda (left hand break as name suggests in Spanish), Las Americas (reef break), Derecha del Cartel (right hand break) and El Conquistador (reef break). All these breaks are located in the same area of Playa de Los Americas which is easily accessible via the motorway. As a reference, approximately 15 minutes from the airport heading west.
Playa de Los Americas
Once you enter the town weave your way towards the beach and car parks adjoining. The street you are after is right in front of the beach. There is a burger king on the corner and opposite it is an Aberdeen Steak house, which i might add does pretty cheap 2/3 course meals. (no I don’t get any money to advertise from them. I will go as far to say that you can have a beer with your meal at the burger king which is a nice change).
If you stand facing the water with these two buildings behind you you will be in the right place. There are 3 places to get your free surf lesson from.
- Behind you to the right. A store with many surfboards perched up in front of it. Extremely friendly staff and this is where I got my gear from. Very friendly and helpful staff with an excellent grasp of English.
- Behind you to the left and slightly further from the beach, slightly more expensive and less surfboard range then first choice.
- The third place, on the beach slightly to the right. Its a beach shack that double up as a bar. I had many a nice Mohito there while watching the sun set and the locals at La Izquirda weave there magic on the waves.
Want more places to Surf in Tenerife?
Now if you want more than just the four break at Playa Del Los Americas and you have a car at your disposal then your in for a treat. The second map below shows the surf break locations all over the island, there are many more but this is a good start.
However a word of caution, they’re not as easy to find as it seems on the map and secondly, the roads aren’t well sign posted so unless you ask a local you may not be able to get to half of the breaks, trust me I’ve tried.
Tenerife Surf Breaks
I wish you luck, safety and good surfing with your free Surf Lesson in Tenerife. Share your experiences and frustrations below so we can all learn together.
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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 Spots: Jeffreys bay for your first surf lesso...
Surf Vacation at Jeffreys Bay
Your imaging your first surf lesson is pristine water with small waves and wash that lap at your knees. You gently mount your board and with a quick paddle are up and away on your first wave. You’ve practiced your stand up technique a hundred times on the beach so this will be no problem. The muscle memory kicks in and Whala you’ve done it… Your catching your first wave.
So why am I telling you this AND including Jeffreys bay in the same breath?
The world knows Jeffreys bay, or J Bay because of its series of barrelling right handers from the point of Supertubes. J Bay is on the ASP tour, the J Bay Billabong PRO. The likes of Kelly Slater, Andy Irons and this years 2009 winner Joel Parkinson are regulars.
So why am I still talking about surf lessons? Have I gone completely mad or am I the type of guys that enjoys watching people get beaten within an inch of their life on the rocks learning to surf.
The last time I checked I wasn’t crazy, just don’t ask my wife.
Jefferys Bay Secrets
Surf Lesson Accommodation
Your closest majot airport is Port Elizabeth. From there your within a short drive to most lodges and surfing beaches. The majority of courses can include accommodation, meals, activities and all equipment hire.
J Bay as I have already mentioned has more than one surf break or beach to surf at. In fact that bay itself has eight.
Jeffreys Bay Water Temp & Swell Size
Jeffreys Bay Surf breaks
2. Tubes – this is a short, perfect and hollow wave. You’ll have to master this before you attempt Supertubes
3. Magna Tubes – A well kept secret. Almost devoid of surfers so you’ll have the waves to yourself. A powerful and well shaped wave, as good as anywhere else.
4. Kitchen Window – A peak that breaks both left and right. The perfect place to learn how to ride waves and ideal for your first surf lesson. This is near Main Beach Island accommodation.
5. Boneyards – You cant miss it. This is right next to Supertubes but with only one or two surfers out there. This is a locals only break and they take it very seriously. You have been warned.
6. Salad Bowl – Suitable for experienced surfers only as the water is shallow and the waves are short and hollow.
7. Point – the waves here tend to be smaller then Boneyard & Supertubes but are AWESOME. Plenty of sections for cutbacks and anything else you could possibly want to do on a wave. The main difference here is that you’ll have a much longer ride.
8. Albatross – in the same class as the Point but very few surfers.
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Surf Spots: Cornwall, the mecca of British surfing...
Surf Vacation at Cornwall
This morning I came accross and article that was very apt for me right about now in regards to a surf spot that I never really heard of Cornwall? I am leaving Australia on an extended, well there is no deadline to return, holiday/adventure through UK and Europe. I am extremely fortunate that I currently live extremely close to the beach so the choice of driving or walking to my favourite surf spot often comes to mind when I decide to hit the waves… and the winning choice usually depends on how lazy I feel.
The one thing that I am going to miss the most is the ability to have full access to my surfing within, at most, a 15minute drive to all my favourite surf spots. My starting location will be London, UK. I have already been warned that the closest to surfing I will get there is if the street ices over and I fall on my ass. Nonetheless I want to start my UK/European adventure in the big smoke.
I have been researching surf spots in the UK initially and came accross an article from Extreme Horizons Blog about the annual surfing pilgrimage to Cornwall.
The Cornwall Surfing Crush
Cornwall isn’t your Jeffreys Bay but is apparently one of the better surf locations in the UK which picks up considerable swell on both coasts. The beach at Cornwall likened to an overcrowded Tokyo subway at rush hour.. But yet the Brits still make their way down in the masses. There can be up to twenty surf school each with twenty plus students taking their first surf lesson vying for a piece of the action, and I haven’t even started to talk about the sub arctic water temperatures. You have to be half seal or have a very very good wetsuit to even get your toes in.
There are also the myriad of beginner surfers whose first experience is likely to be that of being run over by a surfer after they unknowingly drop in on them. The prevailing north coast winds are westerly which means alot of offshore. You do get the odd day when the conditions are perfect with onshore winds and great swell. This culminates in a few reef breaks, the odd point break plus some barrelling sandbars.
Surf Pilgrimage to Cornwall
I know I havent painted a fantastic picture of the place but its more than just a surf location. Its a pilgrimage. When you get back its not so much about the location but about the journey. Its the ability to recap the crowds, the traffic jams, the 12 year old on a softboard that you ran over while catching your first barrel. Its these memories that will last you the whole winter of dinner time discussions.
There still are uncrowded locations to surf at although you will have to search and get off the beaten track to find. There is much to do in the form of nightlife if your under 25 at Newquay and the water can be a beautiful green crystal colour.
Noone questions religious travels abroad to walk along some sandy tracks and hang out with thousands of other people in the overwroded blistering heat and neither should anyone judge yours if your that way inclined.
I’ll see you there.
Here is an article that you might enjoy:
- Surf and Fun in El Salvador – I’ve been back from my trip to El Salvador for a week and I am only starting to feel better. I had a great time there but I have felt awful for the last few days. My friends and I spent 7 days at Las Flores Surf Club, a 4 star surf resort located in El Cuco, a tiny village on the East side (note they call it East but if you look at a map, it’s actually South ).
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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:
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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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