Surf lessons in Las Canteras Beach

La Cícer is the surf-minded stretch of Las Canteras, a city beach where you can learn without leaving Las Palmas. This two-hour lesson is for beginners and surfers looking to improve, with equipment, insurance, and personal-belongings care included.

I like two things in particular: the school has more than a decade of teaching experience, and the instruction is built around safety as well as fun. Recent feedback also singles out Carlos for patient, clear guidance and Marco for an easygoing manner. One caveat: the advertised two hours may not mean two full hours of lesson time. One participant reported a session of about 1 hour 40 minutes, and conditions can affect the schedule.

Key points to know

• The lesson takes place at La Cícer, the surf area of Las Canteras Beach.
• You get a two-hour introductory course, aimed at first-timers or surfers who want to improve.
• Equipment, insurance, and care of personal belongings are included in the $54 price.
• Start times change with tides and weather, so don’t assume a fixed daily schedule.
• You need to know how to swim and bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
• Classes are in English or Spanish, with private and small-group options available.

La Cícer puts your lesson right on Las Canteras

The class meets at University Surf School, at Playa de las Canteras, Calle Secretario Padilla 168, Las Palmas. From there, you’re only a few meters from the beach. That close connection matters: you won’t spend much of your booked time travelling to a distant surf spot.

The lesson is held at La Cícer, the area of Las Canteras used for surfing. The beach is described as one of the world’s best urban beaches, and its city setting is part of the appeal. You can fit a surf lesson into a Las Palmas stay without making it a full-day expedition.

The trade-off is that surf conditions, not your preferred timetable, determine when the class can run. Tides and weather may change the starting time, so keep some flexibility around your booking. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., depending on conditions. Check the available times rather than planning on a specific hour before confirming.

Two hours for the basics, or a technique tune-up

This is an intensive introductory course, not a long surf camp. Its purpose is to teach you the basics so you can start taking a board into the waves, or to help you work on your existing technique. The school says it teaches from beginner level through high performance, which gives the lesson a broader range than a class designed only for complete newcomers.

If you’re new to surfing, the value is having an instructor introduce the sport in a supervised setting rather than trying to figure everything out alone. You’ll have a professional there to explain what to do and keep safety in view. The school’s more than 10 years of teaching experience is a reassuring foundation, though the exact content and pace will depend on your level and the conditions.

If you’ve surfed before, be clear about what you want to improve. The course is described as suitable for improving technique, but no specific skills or progression are promised. It’s sensible to tell your instructor what you’ve already tried and what you hope to work on, so the lesson can match your ability.

The available information doesn’t set out a minute-by-minute lesson plan. You know the class lasts two hours and covers surfing instruction, but not exactly how much time is spent on each part. A participant reported that their session lasted about 1 hour 40 minutes. Treat the two-hour duration as the scheduled activity length, not a guarantee that every class will involve precisely two hours of instruction.

Instructors, safety, and the gear you need

The school emphasizes safety, fun, and teaching. That balance matters in a sport where a beginner needs clear directions and a sensible approach to the sea, not just encouragement to get moving. Recent feedback describes the instructors as friendly and helpful, with particular praise for patient, professional explanations.

Carlos is a name to look out for if you’re hoping for careful beginner guidance. He has been described as patient and clear in his instructions. Marco has also been associated with an easygoing teaching style. You can’t count on being assigned to either instructor, but those examples offer a useful sense of the teaching qualities that have made a strong impression.

The course includes all necessary equipment. You don’t have to arrange your own board or other required gear, and the equipment has been described as clean and in good condition. That takes away one of the main practical hurdles for a first lesson. The school also provides care for personal belongings and includes insurance, so those basics are covered in the stated price.

Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no pick-up service. The meeting point is close to the beach, but you’ll need to get yourself to the school and plan your own refreshments.

Is $54 good value for a surf lesson?

At $54 per person, the price includes a two-hour course, necessary equipment, insurance, and care of personal belongings. For a first lesson, that package is useful: you can try surfing without buying gear or arranging separate cover. The small-group or private options may also suit you if you prefer a more personal lesson, although the available information doesn’t specify the group size or any price difference between formats.

Value depends partly on how much of the scheduled time you receive and how well the conditions cooperate. One participant reported a class shorter than two hours, so if you’re comparing lessons, it’s fair to ask the school what the stated duration includes. The starting time can also shift with tides and weather. Those are practical limits, not unusual complications for a sea-based activity, but they do make this a less rigid choice than a museum visit or city tour.

A 4.8 rating from 19 reviews suggests a strong overall response, and the most consistently praised details are the friendly instruction, attention to safety, and sound equipment. That is the right kind of value for an introductory lesson: not simply getting a board in your hands, but having clear guidance and a safe framework for learning.

Who will get the most from this class

This class is a good fit if you’re curious about surfing, want to try it without committing to a longer course, or have some experience and want help improving. The two-hour format is manageable within a city break, and the school’s equipment makes it easier to test the sport before investing in your own kit.

You must know how to swim. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, or people with a low level of fitness. Children under 14 are listed as unsuitable. The age guidance also says that children under 15 must attend with an adult, so a 14-year-old would need to go with one.

Private and small-group formats are available, which gives you some choice about the setting. The exact group arrangements aren’t specified, so ask the school if group size is an important factor for you. Instruction is available in English and Spanish.

A few practical details before you book

Choose a day when you can stay flexible. Classes run Monday to Saturday, generally between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., but the actual starting time depends on tides and sea conditions. If you have another fixed activity planned, leave enough room for a schedule adjustment.

Wear swimwear and bring a towel and sunscreen. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. There is no food, drink, or pick-up service included, so plan those separately.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which may help if your travel plans are still taking shape. Even with that flexibility, remember that the sea can affect the time of your class.

Should you book the Las Canteras surf lesson?

Book it if you want a practical first taste of surfing in Las Palmas, value having equipment and insurance included, and can adapt to a start time set by the tides and weather. The school’s safety focus and reports of patient, clear instruction make it especially appealing for beginners.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed full two hours of instruction, can’t swim, or have limited flexibility in your schedule. For most eligible visitors who want to try surfing without buying gear or travelling far from the city, $54 is a reasonable way to get started at La Cícer.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

Meet at University Surf School, Playa de las Canteras, Calle Secretario Padilla 168, Las Palmas 35010.

How long is the activity?

The scheduled duration is two hours. Actual class time may vary; one participant reported a session of about 1 hour 40 minutes.

How much does the lesson cost?

The price is $54 per person.

What languages are the lessons taught in?

Instruction is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is surf equipment included?

Yes. All necessary equipment is included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must know how to swim.

When do classes take place?

Classes run Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., depending on tides and sea conditions. The starting time may vary.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 14 are not suitable for the activity. Children under 15 must attend with an adult.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.