Your first surf lesson at Famara
Most people visiting Lanzarote never make it to Famara. They stay in the resort towns in the south, enjoy the sun, and fly home without knowing that 45 minutes up the road there’s one of the most extraordinary beaches in Europe.
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Famara sits on the northwest coast of the island, facing the open Atlantic. It’s wide, long, and almost entirely unspoiled. Behind it, volcanic cliffs rise sharply, dark, dramatic, and unlike anything you’ll find on a typical holiday beach.
Before you get in the water
Your instructor will meet you on the beach about 15 minutes before the session starts. This is when you’ll get your wetsuit and board, and your instructor will take a look at the ocean conditions for the day.
Don’t worry if the waves look big from the shore, they almost always look bigger than they are. Your instructor knows this beach and will guide you to the right spot for your level.
Learning to surf at Famara: the beach warm-up
Every good surf lesson starts on dry sand, and this part is more important than it sounds.
You’ll learn the basic rules of the ocean, how waves form, how to identify the safest zone to surf in, and how to fall safely (yes, falling has a technique). Then comes the pop-up practice: the movement of going from lying flat on your board to standing up in one smooth motion.
You’ll do this on the sand. Again and again. It feels a little silly, but it works. When you get into the water and a wave comes, your body already knows what to do, you don’t have to think, you just move.
In the Atlantic: your first waves at Famara Beach
You’ll start in the whitewater, the broken, foamy waves close to shore. These are gentle, predictable, and perfect for learning. Your instructor will be right next to you, guiding your board and calling out when to paddle and when to pop up.
The first few attempts will probably end in a fall. That’s normal. Then something clicks, the timing, the balance, the weight distribution, and you stand up. Even for a second. Even if it’s wobbly. That moment is why people get hooked on surfing.
Most beginners stand up within the first hour. Some take the full session. A few manage it on their very first wave. There’s no right pace, the ocean is patient.
After the session
You’ll come out of the water tired in a way that feels good. Your arms will ache from paddling, your legs will be a little shaky, and you’ll probably be hungry.
Your instructor will give you a quick debrief, what went well, what to work on next time, and which conditions to look out for if you want to practise on your own.
Most people book their second lesson before they’ve even taken off their wetsuit.
What to bring to your surf lesson
- Swimsuit or rash guard (worn under the wetsuit)
- Sunscreen — apply before the wetsuit, not after
- Water and a snack for after
- A towel and change of clothes
- Nothing valuable
Board, wetsuit, and leash are all included with your Kalufa Surf School lesson.
📍 Kalufa Surf School — Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote
📞 +34 693 819 586
✉️ info@kalufasurfschool.es