Private Surfing Lesson in Famara 2025: A Personal Review

You know, the idea of getting on a surfboard had been floating around in my head for a pretty long time. So, I saw pictures of Famara beach in Lanzarote, and obviously, I thought, ‘this is the spot’. I mean, those massive cliffs in the background and that huge stretch of golden sand looked amazing. Still, I was a bit nervous about the whole thing, like, completely new to it all. As a matter of fact, that’s why the thought of a one-on-one, private lesson was so appealing. Unlike a big group where you might get lost in the shuffle, a personal session felt, you know, a lot more my speed. It seemed like a good way to actually learn something without feeling like a total goof in front of a dozen other people, basically.

First Impressions: Arriving at the Beach

Anyway, pulling up to Playa de Famara is really something else. Seriously, the air tastes a little salty, and the sound of the Atlantic waves is, like, a constant, soothing rumble. It’s almost this huge, wide-open space that makes you feel pretty small, but in a good way, you know? My teacher was already there, just as planned, with a friendly look and a couple of boards ready to go. You could kind of tell right away this was going to be different from a standard surf school vibe. We, you know, spent a little time just talking about what I hoped to get out of the day. The wetsuit was actually surprisingly comfortable, not the rubber prison I sort of expected. Frankly, the gear they supplied seemed to be in very good shape, which was a bit of a relief for a first-timer like me.

The One-on-One Advantage: What Really Happens in a Private Lesson

So, the biggest difference with a private class is, like, all the focus is just on you. I mean, there’s literally nowhere for the instructor’s attention to go except to your form, your timing, and your questions. We started on the dry sand, and basically, my teacher showed me the ‘pop-up’ move step-by-step. He watched me try it, like, a dozen times. Actually, he would offer these tiny bits of advice that made a huge difference, for instance, “shift your hand just a little here” or “look over there, not at your feet.” Honestly, in a group of ten, I bet that kind of personal feedback just doesn’t happen. It’s pretty much the main reason you get up to speed so much quicker this way. You just correct the little mistakes right away, before they turn into, you know, bad habits.

From Sand to Sea: Catching That First Wave

Alright, so walking into the water with this huge board was, well, kind of clumsy at first. The waves, even the little white-water ones, have a lot more push than you think. But my guide was right there, you know, showing me how to handle the board and get past the breaking surf. In that case, having someone next to you saying, “okay, a good wave is coming, get ready… now!” is everything. He would literally give the board a little push at the perfect second. So, my first few tries were, obviously, a total flop—I went sideways, backward, you name it. But then, on maybe the fifth or sixth try, I actually popped up for a second or two. As a matter of fact, the feeling of gliding on water, even just for a moment, was absolutely brilliant. It really hooks you in right away.

Beyond the Basics: Honing Your Technique

At the end of the day, standing up is just the beginning. The next part of the lesson was all about what to do once you’re on your feet, more or less. My instructor would paddle out with me and point things out about the water that I just couldn’t see. He would say, like, “See how the water is moving over there? That’s where the next good wave will form.” It’s almost like he was speaking a different language, a language of the ocean. He’d give me pointers on how to shift my weight to steer the board, which is sort of tricky. I mean, instead of just celebrating that I stood up, we were straight into making it better. That’s honestly the beauty of it; the lesson just grows with you, so you’re always being pushed a little bit.

Is a Private Lesson in Famara a Good Choice?

To be honest, a private lesson is a really good move for a few types of people. If you are pretty nervous or have never touched a surfboard, it’s perfect, as it gives you a very safe and supportive space. Likewise, if you’re on a tight schedule on your trip, you will likely make more headway in one two-hour private lesson than you might in two or three group sessions, seriously. You just get so much focused instruction. Or, perhaps you’ve surfed before but you’re kind of stuck at a certain level. Obviously, an expert’s eye just for you can help you see what you need to fix. On the other hand, if you’re mostly there for the social part and just want to splash around with friends, a group lesson might be more what you are looking for. It’s really about what you want to get out of the experience, at the end of the day.

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