Depending on your balance and physical condition, surfing requires more technique than bodyboarding. Surfing involves balancing on a board and gliding along the surface of a wave for as long as possible. The hardest part of surfing for beginners is learning to "take off", the technique that enables you to stand up quickly on the board. 

The surfer begins the activity lying flat on his stomach on the board, using his arms to swim and gain speed. Once he's spotted a wave, he needs to know how to balance himself on the board to ride it. Then he must master his movements to link turns and try to make the most beautiful trajectory possible standing on his board.  

Little by little, you'll learn how to coordinate your movements and keep your balance without falling into the water. In Tenerife, instructors are on hand to give surfing lessons for beginners, so don't worry if you've never surfed before.

Easier for an apprentice surfer, bodyboarding is equally suitable for children and adults of any age. The size of the board is smaller than for surfing, and lighter too. The sport is practiced lying down on the board, using your feet (with or without fins) to move forward. This allows you to tackle the waves without fear or risk of injury. 

Once you've mastered the technique, you'll see that it's an interesting sport that allows you to achieve crazy performances in the trough of the waves. For example, with bodyboarding, you can surf inside waves that are deeper and narrower than in traditional surfing. The famous "close-out" waves are more accessible with bodyboarding. The aim of bodyboarding is to gain speed, whereas surfing requires you to make great trajectories standing up on the board. Experienced and professional bodyboarders perform incredible tricks, such as : 

To surf in Tenerife, you don't need to worry about equipment, unless you want to buy it. Most surf schools lend it out when you take a surf lesson. It's all you need to practice the sport comfortably. Here's the perfect surfer's equipment:
 

And don't forget to protect your face and neck with sunscreen to avoid nasty sunburns. Don't forget to check the UV index before surfing and apply your cream regularly. Sunglasses are impractical, as they can fall into the water and get in the way, unless they're attached. There are also more suitable aquatic goggles that can be adjusted to the surfer's vision by including tinted corrective lenses. 

Would you like to take advantage of your stay in Tenerife to take surfing lessons? It's a great idea! All the more so as the island abounds in ideal spots for surfers from all over the world.

How does it work?
No license is required for surfing, so anyone can practice. The surf school offers surfing lessons at all levels. Even beginners are welcome. Learning to surf on an island of such beauty is a real motivator!

Learning to surf is generally divided into three distinct phases:

Where to find a surf school?
Surf schools are mainly concentrated on the two extremes of the island of Tenerife: the northern tip and the southern tip, but you can also find them on the east/west slopes. Surf schools in Tenerife are located in : 

Rates
Beginner surf lessons on Las Américas beach start at €35 per person for 2 h of instruction, compared with €40 in Puerto de la Cruz. 

If you're in El Médano, you can learn to surf with an instructor for an hour and a half for €25. 

The cheapest lessons are in groups. If you'd like private surfing lessons, you'll pay around €70 for 3 hours. A package of 5 private lessons is also available from €250.

Why not book a surf camp in Tenerife? You'll learn all the techniques you need to ride the waves, and share friendly moments with other surfing apprentices like yourself.

How does it work?
The complete surf camp package is sure to please! This exceptional stay includes : 

Where to find a surf camp in Tenerife?
The Costa Adeje in the south is the most popular surf camp in Tenerife. Being the most touristic area, you'll find many surfing camps in : 

On the north side of the island, you can stay in :
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Punta del Hidalgo

Prices
Surf school rates vary according to location, room, number of people and days. For a week (7 nights/8 days), you'll find prices : 

Playa de Las Americas : 6
El Medano : 9
Santa Cruz de Tenerife : 3
San Cristobal de la Laguna : 1
Puerto de la Cruz : 2
La Orotova : 1
Candelaria : 1

Surfing is a religion in Tenerife! Numerous events punctuate Tenerife life. Tourists can enjoy this unrivalled atmosphere as they watch international surfers glide over ocean waves. Here are a few important competitions not to be missed:
 
Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro
The Spring Surfest Pro is held in Playa de Las Americas at the end of the year. The program includes crashing waves, music and surfing competitions. It's been Europe's best surf festival since the 70s. Surfers from all over the world gather on the mystical beach to tease the tubular left-hand wave, known as "Spanish Left", which forms incredibly in this area. 

Puntablanca Young Series
For its second edition, Guía de Isora has brought together no fewer than 90 professional surfers for the "Puntablanca Young Series", running from December 2022 to April 2023. Sportsmen and women from the Iberian Peninsula, France, Portugal and Germany compete to make the best trajectory. The event is watched by over a million people worldwide.

Surfing Shark
In Almáciga, in the Anaga Rural Park on the north of the island, there's a not-to-be-missed annual event for surfing fans: the Surfing Shark. Organized by the sports organization of the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife and its sponsors, this competition takes place in October.

Surf 2023 agenda
In 2023, numerous surfing competitions are scheduled on the island of eternal spring, including :