FAQ's

All you need to know for your perfect surfing holidays in Lanzarote

General Info

Q. Where is Lanzarote?
A. Lanzarote is the most northern of the Canary Islands, 100 km off the Moroccan coast, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Lanzarote is the "Hawaii of Europe" with its mystical and volcanic landscape and countless surf spots, from "world class reef breaks" to deserted beach breaks for beginners, intermediate or advanced surfers.

Q. Which airport do I fly to?
A. Lanzarote (ACE) – Arrecife

Q. Where best to look for flights?
A. Check out www.skyscanner.net

Q. Which language is spoken in Canary Islands?
A. Canary Islands are part of Spain (EU). Spanish is the official language. Almost everybody speaks English and other languages as well.

Q. What is the local currency?
A. Euros (€). Don’t expect to be able to pay in different currencies over the counter, although you can do it by credit/debit card (widely available)

Q. Can I easily exchange or withdraw from other currencies?
A. Yes, you can withdraw directly from ATM machines, cash traveller’s checks, and most restaurants, shops, etc accept debit and credit cards. Please be advised if you are going to use your cards, it's always wise to warn your bank that you are travelling (specially from the UK), since many banks when they spot transactions from abroad may cancel your card, and that can be a pain!

Q. Are you open all year round?
A. Yes

Q. What sporting activities do you offer?
A. Surf and Kitesurfing. You can also rent or buy surf or kite surf equipment (Kite season is from Mar > Oct)

Q. Where is your Surf & Kitesurfing School located?
A. Our surfing & Kitesurfing School is based in Caleta de Famara, a small fishing village, surrounded by the "Parque Natural de Famara" (natural reserve), a 5 km sandy beach with perfect and safe conditions to teach surfing or kite surfing in Lanzarote.

Q. Where is your accommodation offer located?
A. Our Kite and Surf camp in Lanzarote offers several accommodation options: From top comfort apartments in Costa Teguise, a touristic resort close to the capital and only 10 to 15 minutes by car from the airport, to shared or private accommodation in Famara or surfers paradise La Santa.

Q. Is it worth renting a car for my stay in Lanzarote?
A. Definitely YES! Lanzarote has so many incredible places to visit. Public transportation is scarce and that’s why in Lanzarote you will find very cheap rates for rental cars.

Q. What is the best way to organize my Rental Car?
A. You can rent the car directly through us and have it ready for you at the airport upon your arrival. You can leave it at the airport the day you leave, avoiding taxi transfers and its costs. Please check our offers here

Q. What about Insurance or Health Care?
A. Our school is fully covered by Civil Liability insurance during classes.

Please be advised to make your own accident insurance and/or also if possible bring your European Health Insurance Card, which will give them full access to Spanish Public Health system (if you are a EU citizen): (http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559).

The European Health Insurance Card makes it easier for people from the European Union’s 27 Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to access healthcare services during temporary visits abroad.

So, if you are going on holiday, a business trip or a short break or are heading off to study abroad, remember to make sure that you have obtained a card. It will help save you time, hassle and money if you fall ill or suffer an injury while abroad.

What are the practical benefits of the card?

The card ensures that you will get the same access to public sector health care (e.g. a doctor, a pharmacy, a hospital or a health care centre) as nationals of the country you are visiting. If you have to receive medical attention in a country that charges for health care, you will be reimbursed either immediately, or after you go home to your own country. The idea is that you are given the care you need to allow you to continue with your stay.

However, it is important to note that the card does not cover your health care costs while abroad if you are travelling in order to obtain treatment for an illness or injury that you had before travelling. Nor does the card cover you for private sector health care providers.

Some websites are known to be offering the European Health Insurance Card in exchange for money. Please note that the card is available free of charge through your local health authority.

Surf Accommodation Lanzarote

Q. Do you provide transfers from the airport to Accommodation?
A. No, but you can easily catch a taxi from the airport to our Costa Teguise, Famara or La Santa. More info >>>

Q. What is “Shared Accommodation”?
A. You will share an apartment with other surf/kite campers. It’s a great opportunity to make your holidays not only a lot cheaper but also meet people from all over the world. You may lose some privacy, but gain a lot of friends and fun...

Q. Can I book “accommodation only” in your camp?
A. Yes, but beach transfers are NOT included. If you do not wish to do a full 5 surf day course, transfers are only included for minimum: 1 Day full course (2 persons) or 1 Person x 3 full Days surf course.

Q. Is linen and towels included?
A. Yes

Q. Can I check in at any time, including late flights
A. Yes, you can check in at any time. Full information will be provided to you upon booking.

Q. What else should I know regarding accommodation and services available?
A. Please visit our accommodation page, also full information will be provided to you upon booking.

Q. Which country do most of the guests come from?
A. The camp is international; our guests come from all over the world.

Q. I am a single traveller... will I feel comfortable and safe?
A. 85% of our guests are single travellers, more than 50% of them females... You are 100% safe and will for sure make a lot of friends... ,o)

Q. So, how do I get to Famara to surf every day!
A. If you are staying in Costa Teguise or La Santa, we’ll pick you up and drop back daily (on surf class days) – 09h50 >< 15h30. Transfers are only included for min 2 persons or if you booked 3 or more surf class days. Transfers are NOT included for kite classes (please read KITESURF section)
If you are staying in Famara meeting point is at our surf shop in Famara

Q. What if I come with a friend who does not wish to surf but just enjoy a day at the beach (“companion package)? Can they come with me?
A. Yes, but we do NOT offers transport of any own or hired surf/kite gear

Q. What if I am staying in Costa Teguise and want to stay at the beach after transfer time?
A. No worries, there are plenty of buses Famara/Costa Teguise/Famara until late evening. There is a bus stop that leaves at walking distance from our apartment complex in Costa Teguise and just 20 meters from our surf shop in Famara. You can check bus schedule here

Lanzarote Surf School

Q. What is the surf classes timetable?
A.

09h15 Hotel pickup
09h50 - At CostaNoroeste Famara surf shop
10h00 - The lesson starts. Warm up! Stretching, easy exercises and theory on the beach... In the water!!!!
12h45 – 13h15 Lunch time! Picnic on the beach, relaxing on the warm sand followed by warm up
13h30 - In the water! Surfing under personal tuition and correction of individual mistakes
15h00 - Return CostaNoroeste surf shop
15h15 - Back to the Hotel

Q. Can I book "surf classes only" without accommodation?
A. Yes, We’ll pick you up and drop back daily (on class days) from any Hotel/Apartment complex in Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Arrecife are included.Transfers are only included for min 2 persons or if you booked 3 or more surf class days.

Q. What’s a good age for my youngster to start surfing?
A. Every youngster is different, but generally eight is a good age to start, although we teach as young as 6 years old. Please beware that children under 8 years old always require parent’s supervision as well. We do not provide babysitting services.

Q. Am I too old to start Surfing?
A. You are NEVER too old to start Surfing or... anything ,o)

Q. How do the classes work?
A. Our student to instructor ratio is low (max 8 students/1 instructor). The groups are formed according to ability and skills of the participants.

Q. What can I expect from an intermediate/advanced surf course?
A. Intermediate courses are design for those that have done a beginner course before, have some surf experience and want to improve their skills or simply want to enjoy surfing in a group and in maximum safety. Our instructors will evaluate your current skills and pick up from there... No need to repeat exercise if you don’t need to. Our main concern is safety and that you do progress your surfing skills whilst having a lot of fun!

Lanzarote Kite Surf School

Q. Can I book Kite Surf classes only without accommodation?
A. Yes, but you will need your own means of transportation to Famara

Q. What’s a good age for my youngster to start Kitesurfing?
A. At least 12 years old.

Q. Am I too old to start KiteSurfing?
A. You are NEVER too old to start KiteSurfing or... anything ,o)

Q. How do the classes work?
A. Our student to instructor ratio is low (max 4 students/1 instructor). Courses are personalized to each one’s level. All classes are radio assisted, meaning you will be in constant radio contact with the instructor, even when in the water.

Q. What can I expect from an intermediate/advanced kitesurf course?
A. We are a IKO certified centre (#270) with senior IKO level2 instructors. We can teach from total beginners to "flyers".

Intermediate courses are design for those that have done a beginner kitesurf course (IKO1/2) before, have some kitesurf experience and want to improve their skills or simply want to enjoy kitesurfing surfing in maximum safety. Our instructors will evaluate your current skills and pick up from there... No need to repeat exercises if you don’t need to. Our main concern is safety and that you do progress your kite boarding skills whilst having a lot of fun! At the end of the course, you will be credit with the correspondent IKO level and receive a certification card.

Q. Is Kite Surf equipment included after classes?
A. No

Q. Can I hire Kite Surf equipment after classes or on free days?
A. You can hire all equipment except Kites. In order to hire a kite you must be at least IKO3 card holder, or our instructors will evaluate your skills and authorize kite rental. Prices >>>

Q. Why aren’t transfers from Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen included for kite surf classes, but only for surf?
A. For your own comfort and freedom of movement. Instead of being in Famara all day waiting for classes you can enjoy the swimming pool, restaurants, the amazing beaches of Costa Teguise or do some sightseeing. Unlike surf, where we can schedule daily classes from 10h00 to 15h00, Kite lessons depend on 2 factors: Wind and tides (for your own safety). Tides schedule we do know and are predictable. According to tides we have a max possible window of opportunity to safely teach of 6h. Some days only 3 or 4h since good tides are very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. To this you have to add wind conditions... TOTALLY UMPREDICTABLE... Famara beach is surrounded by a 600mt high cliff... winds either come in the right direction (N/NNE), or they become EXTREMLY DANGEROUS for beginners, gusty, and variable (from zero knots in 1 minute to 35 another) For all these reasons, kite lessons (specially for beginners) schedule may vary not daily BUT.... MANY TIMES PER DAY... We have a well trained system to deal with this. We work by SMS. We warn clients at what time classes are scheduled via SMS... BUT.... EVEN THEN... by the time class schedule is up, winds may have changed...In order words... sometimes clients receive 3 or 4 SMS/day changing class schedule (and again all within tide schedule). This system works perfect to no complaints so far. As you can see is totally impossible to go and pick you up bring you all the way to Famara just to find out that classes are held 2h later, or not at all for that day. THIS IS THE NATURE OF KITE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD at least if you want to teach it in a safe and professional manner. Thus far, and after 12 years of teaching kite we have dealt with clients frustration (believe ours is even more because we don’t make money) BUT also clients understanding that that is the nature of the sport, and SUSSEFULLY taught thousands of people how to kite... but they do know they need their own means of transportation. As you can understand it’s impossible for us (or any school) to have a shuttle service to Costa Teguise every 30 minutes to bring and take back people... for a class that might not even happen, because by the time you get to Famara classes might not even be held!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best option is to rent a car if you wish to take kite lessons, this way you are not dependent on our schedules, because as mentioned you will be warned by SMS every time lessons occur or are cancelled.

Things to Bring with you

Sunscreen (50+), hat, sunglasses, towel, T-shirt, beach sandals, shorts, toiletry articles, personal medication.

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