Lanzasurf

Mathilde and Evandro are the owners of Lanzasurf Surf School in Lanzarote Canary Islands.
To plan your next surf trip this winter, we asked them 10 questions to learn all about the right advice and the secrets of their destination ...

 

1 / Hello Matilda, in a few words, how and why did you choose to settle in the Canary Islands ?

Lanzarote focuses everything a rider want : Quality waves and a variety of unmatched spots in Europe, waves during 365 days a year, sunshine and a pleasant water temperature all year round, stunning scenery, a super relaxed pace of life, a friendly atmosphere, low cost living and a real connection with the sea and nature in general, totally away from the pollution and stress of the city.
But in reality Lanzarote is not a "choice".... Once the island has "capture" yourself, it is very difficult to leave ! Maybe volcanoes magnetism must be part of it ...

 

2 / Who is concerned by Surf vacation on Lanzarote ?

Anyone interested in surfing, whatever your age and level !
Lanzarote, thanks to the diversity of its spots, offers perfect conditions for surfers of all levels, from beginner to advanced. It is therefore an ideal island for relaxing holidays with family or friends, but is also a very sociable island because of its melting pot of surfers of all nationalities who came here to surf or settle. It is also a good plan for solo travellers.
I'll say, there is something for everyone, the only requirement is ... to love surfing and nature !

 

 

3 / Why staying in Lanzarote and not Fuerteventura or Tenerife, other Canary Islands ?

Ahhh .... But they are totally different !
Lanzarote, especially the north coast (which is also the focus for most of the surfspots), is much better preserved than its Western neighbourgs. The island was declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993. There are no billboards on the roads and its volcanic landscapes and white villages offer real stunning scenery.
Its geographical configuration is more cut and steep that Fuerteventura, which is flat and stretched, and Lanzarote has not been a tourist urbanization zone like in Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
This is reflected not only in landscapes and experiences, much more authentic, but also in the water : the spots are rarely saturated and it is still possible to be alone in the water !

A real luxury ...

4 / To catch the most waves, where to stay on the island and what type of accommodation (apartment, villa, resort ...) should we choose ?

Most spots are concentrated on the north side so if you are planning surf vacation, it's a better choice to select this part of the island.  
As it was declared a Natural Reserve in 2008, there has few hotels or camping, but you will find a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets : apartments, bungalows, villas and eco-tourism lodges far from mass tourism. Famara Bay is the nerve center of the surf with a sublime beach of 6 km with many peaks for all levels.

 

  

 

5 / Places and areas to avoid ?

The south of the island, which is less authentic and its spots that only work during heavy winter swells (Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca)

6 / Types of waves, beaches ?

You can find every type : From easy Famara and Arrieta beach breaks, to quiet rocky spots in Centro La Santa or more powerful spots in San Juan, Caleta Caballo, derecha & Izquierda Santa and El Quemao, and also a multitude of secrets places, with more or less difficulties, all along the northeast coast, northwest and west of the island. When the big winter swells are coming you can also take a ride South.
Most waves are lefts with the exception of Derecha Santa and Caleta Caballo which are rights, but you'll find a lots of beaches that offer both peaks.

 

  

7 / Describe us a typical day with LanzaSurf ?

We will meet you around 10:00 am at the surf center to take all equipment and reach the beach in the Magic Lanzasurf Bus (our super van !) with wetsuits and boards.
From the first minute we like to create a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone feels part of the Lanzasurf family.
Arriving at the beach we always start by evaluating the surf conditions to choose the best spot, then discharge the boards and give explanations about the currents, safety rules, how to use the maximum class surf etc.
We pays particular attention to heating muscles to avoid damage. Surf classes begin no later than 10:30 am and alternate technical explanations on the beach, where we practice special movements on the sand (rowing technique, take-off position on the board, turtle-roll, duck-dive, etc.) and practice in the water, with specific exercises each time.
Instructors are always in the water with students whether without board during beginner course, either with board for intermediate and advanced courses.

 

 

We take a break around 12:30 for a picnic at the beach. We take advantage of this break to give students information on surfing (surf history in Canay islands, how to read forecasts etc.), attractions and activities on the island and scheduled for the week.
Around 13:00 we start again courses, with a little warm up. We start again ewith xplanations of technical / implementation for about 1:00. The last hour is saved to leaves students surf freely and this is the moment we choose to do photos and videos.
It ends at 3:00 p.m. with a session of "cool-down" feedback on the class of the day and specific stretching to relieve the busiest surf muscles. We go back to the center where we discharge, clean and store equipment with the help of students, then we have a look at photos and videos taken during the day.
But there's not really a standard day, we do adapt to the conditions and group level : a glassy day with a motivated group you can find us all in the water well after 16:00 !

8 / Your favorite beach on the island ?

Nothing is better than Famara beach on a glassy day !

9 / what is you most likely restaurant or bar to enjoy the atmosphere of the island ?

Chiringuito on the main square of Famara is the perfect place for a little beer and som "Tapas" after a surfing session. You can then take a drink and dine in one of the bars, cafes and restaurants in Famara, including restaurants fish and seafood El Sol and El Risco.
The bar / restaurant TELECLUB in Famara offers delicious fresh fish and local hyper atmosphere. The weekend the port area of Arrecife, El Charco, is bustling with some very nice bars and restaurants and live music. On Sunday night the whole Lanzarote surfing community gather in La Palmera, a mojitos bar in Teguise, a nearby village of Famara.

 

 

10 / When you do not surf, what you can do for fun in Lanzarote ?

Lanzarote is a mecca for sports of all kinds : kite surfing, wind surfing, longboard skateboarding, hiking, running, cycling, paragliding, diving, yoga, catamaran trip... There are also many points of interest to visit by hiring a car. The roads are excellent, well marked and distances are rather short : volcanic caves of Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes, the beautiful beaches of Papagayo and Playa Quemada, salt lakes del Golfo, the island of Graciosa, the wine route of La Geria, the historic village of Teguise, the Mirador del Río from where you can admire the island of Graciosa across the ocean ...

So what are you waiting for come surf with us ?

 

 

To find LANZASURF

 

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