What Is Kontraola Surf School?

There is a certain category of surf school that locals trust and algorithms eventually catch up to. Kontraola — founded by Félix Trujillo at Playa de las Américas, in the municipality of Arona on Tenerife's sun-drenched southern coast — belongs firmly in that category. It is not the flashiest operation on the beach. It is not the loudest. And yet, among the beginners who caught their first wave there, the intermediates who came back for a second session the following day, and the travellers who called it the best two days of their entire Tenerife holiday, it consistently earns the kind of praise reserved for places run by people who genuinely know what they're doing.

Powered by Quiksilver and Roxy, located on the shoreline of Playa de las Américas, and built on over 40 years of hands-on Atlantic surfing by its founder, Kontraola is the place people mean when they say Tenerife has real surf culture. This review explains what that means in practice — and why the right person should stop scrolling and book.

Kontraola Surf School is best for:

✓ Complete beginners who want to catch a wave on their very first session ✓ Intermediates looking to sharpen technique with experienced, certified coaches ✓ Families — lessons run for children from age 8, with private options for younger kids ✓ Travellers who want a no-faff experience: equipment, insurance, showers, and lockers all included ✓ Anyone who wants to surf with instructors who have actually grown up on these specific waves ✓ People with disabilities — adapted surf lessons available with certified instructors

Book your Kontraola surf lesson → Or contact directly: kontraola@gmail.com | +34 629 62 93 01

Why Kontraola Is Different

Most surf schools in Tenerife can put you on a board and push you into a wave. Very few can offer you something that cannot be purchased or certified: the knowledge of someone who has been surfing their home break for over four decades.

Félix Trujillo founded Kontraola on a simple premise. He grew up on the beach at Playa de las Américas — one of the most consistent surf spots on the south coast of Tenerife — and spent years giving free lessons to local young people simply because he wanted more people to share the feeling. When he formalised that into a school 15 years ago, nobody believed surf would become a popular sport on an island that was already known for its tourism. Today, Kontraola is a recognised reference point in the teaching of what is now an Olympic sport, and Félix's 20-plus years of instructing experience sits alongside a team of multilingual certified coaches who bring the same depth of knowledge to every session.

The result is a surf school that does the foundational things at an exceptional level: it reads waves well, it manages safety without sacrificing the experience, it caps group sizes at six adults per instructor (below the federation maximum of eight), and it assigns a second instructor the moment a group grows large enough to require one. The Canary Islands Surf Federation and the Spanish Surf Federation both certify the team. Quiksilver and Roxy back the operation. But the thing that actually makes Kontraola different is simpler than any of that: these are people who love this stretch of Atlantic coastline the way only locals can, and it shows in how they teach.

The Location: Why Playa de las Américas Is the Right Wave for Learning

Tenerife has two distinct surf coastlines, and they are genuinely different experiences. The north offers raw Atlantic power — bigger, more technical, better suited to confident surfers who know what they are doing on a reef break. The south — specifically Playa de las Américas and the municipality of Arona — offers something more valuable for most visitors: consistency.

Consistent waves. Consistent sunshine. Consistent, mild, low-wind conditions that make getting into the water feel accessible rather than intimidating. This is the coastline that American surfers were visiting decades before Félix founded his school, drawn by the quality of the Atlantic swells and the near-perfect year-round climate. It is the reason south Tenerife has developed into a genuine surf hub, and the reason Kontraola's location — right on the beach, adjacent to Hotel H10 Las Palmeras, in the commercial centre at Calle México — matters as much as the instruction.

The wave profile changes naturally with the seasons, and this is a feature rather than a limitation:

You can check live wave, wind, and weather forecasts for Playa de las Américas via Windfinder before booking your session — Kontraola recommends this, and it reflects a school that takes conditions seriously rather than just filling slots on a calendar.

The location also means there is no transport required. The school sits directly on the beach. Lockers, toilets, showers with gel and shampoo, and equipment storage are all at the same address. You arrive, suit up, and walk to the water.

The Classes: Structure, Format, and What Actually Happens

Every Kontraola lesson — group, semi-private, or private — runs for two full hours. The structure is consistent and deliberate:

30 minutes on land — theory, board orientation, paddling technique, pop-up mechanics, reading waves, safety briefing. This is not filler. Instructors in surf schools that skip land training produce students who get in the water confused. At Kontraola, students arrive at the water understanding what they are trying to do.

90 minutes in the sea — practical instruction at Playa de las Américas, with the instructor in the water alongside students. Groups are capped at six per instructor; if the group grows, a second instructor joins automatically.

Group Class — €35 per person

The entry-level session and the most social option. Up to six adults per instructor, deliberately kept below the federation's permitted maximum so that each student gets real attention. Ideal for solo travellers, couples, and small groups who want to share the experience with others and potentially meet people in the water. Equipment, wetsuit, rash guard, and accident insurance are all included. This is where most first-timers start, and it is where most first-timers catch their first wave. Book your Kontraola surf lesson →

Semi-Private Class — €50 per person

A middle tier that works particularly well for couples, pairs of friends, or small family groups who want more instructor attention than a group session allows, without committing to the full one-on-one format. The instruction is more tailored, the feedback more specific, and the dynamic more flexible. For two people who have a similar starting level, this is often the best value option. Book your Kontraola surf lesson →

Private Class — €70 per person

One instructor, dedicated to one person, for two full hours. The fastest route to progression for any level. For beginners, it means the instructor can adjust technique in real time without managing a group. For intermediates, it means working specifically on the areas that need it — foot positioning, reading swells, timing the take-off — rather than covering ground already understood. Multiple reviewers describe their private lesson as a turning point: the session after which surfing stopped feeling like falling and started feeling like riding.

Kontraola also offers adapted surf lessons for people with disabilities, a relatively rare offering among surf schools in the region. Félix holds the certification and the experience for this — it is not an afterthought added to a services list, but a deliberate part of how the school understands inclusion. Book your Kontraola surf lesson →

What's Included in Every Session

The equipment and facility package at Kontraola is comprehensive:

• Surfboard or bodyboard

  — appropriate to the student's level

• Neoprene wetsuit

  — full coverage; the Atlantic is warm but a suit matters for comfort

• Rash guard / school lycra

  — for identification in the water by instructors and the optional photographer

• Booties

  (optional, included on request)

• Protective helmet

  (optional)

• Fins

  (for bodyboard sessions)

• Accident insurance

  — included in all sessions

• Lockers

  for personal belongings at the school

• Toilets and showers

  with gel and shampoo post-session

The photography service — an instructor captures your session in the water — is available but not included in the lesson price. After the session you review the shots and decide whether to purchase. It is worth knowing about in advance if capturing the moment matters to you.

Equipment Rentals

For surfers who already have experience and want to get in the water independently, Kontraola operates a rental service directly from the school:

The rental rates position Kontraola as a practical base for visiting surfers who want to explore the south coast conditions across multiple days without bringing their own kit. The school's location — directly on the beach — means returning equipment between sessions is straightforward.

The Instructors

Félix Trujillo's decision to found a surf school on his home beach carried an implicit argument: that proximity, longevity, and love of a specific break produce better instructors than qualifications alone. The Kontraola team has both.

Félix — Founder. More than 20 years of teaching experience, building on 42 years of surfing the waves at Playa de las Américas. Holds surf instructor level 1, official surf coach level 2, a technical qualification through the Grados de Evolución Deportiva recognised by Spain's Consejo Superior de Deportes, and certification as an adapted surf instructor. Speaks Spanish and English.

Vicky — More than 12 years of teaching experience. Official surf coach level 1 qualification. Native Italian speaker; also speaks Spanish and English fluently. Consistently singled out in reviews for patience, technical clarity, and an ability to make nervous first-timers feel genuinely capable.

Beyond Félix and Vicky, the Kontraola team has expanded to include a broader roster of instructors — reviewers mention Davide, Vittoria, Mattia, Nigel, José, Miguel, and others — reflecting a school that has grown with demand while maintaining the quality control that comes from being federation-certified throughout.

Group classes maintain a maximum of six adults per instructor. When that threshold is reached, a second instructor is added. This is not a standard practice at most surf schools in the region — Kontraola does it as a matter of policy.

All instructors hold certification from both the Canary Islands Surf Federation and the Spanish Surf Federation.

Practical Details: Booking, Safety, and Children

Booking is made directly through the Kontraola website via FareHarbor. No minimum notice is required, though booking ahead is strongly recommended during peak periods — summer (July–August) and winter (December–January) both see high demand. Popular time slots fill.

Age and safety — Lessons are recommended from age 8 and up. Children under 13 cannot join adult group classes; they must book private or semi-private lessons where they can be accompanied by an adult family member if preferred. This policy exists to protect younger surfers and to maintain the quality of the group dynamic for adult learners. Kontraola's team has extensive experience working with children and maintains child-specific equipment.

What to bring — A swimsuit or bikini, a towel, and stick sunscreen for your face and exposed skin. Everything else is provided. The school's position directly on the beach means there is no need to carry equipment between a car park and the water.

Cancellation — Confirmed by instant booking through FareHarbor. Check current cancellation terms at the time of booking, as conditions may vary by session type.

Transport — Not needed. The school is directly on Playa de las Américas, within the commercial centre at Calle México, C. Comercial Las Pameras, Local 11. The proximity to the beach is the entire point of the location.

What People Say

The review record across Google, TripAdvisor, and Viator is consistently strong — a 4.8 out of 5 on Google, a 4.9 average on booking platforms, and a 95% recommendation rate from verified lesson purchasers. The themes that emerge across platforms are remarkably consistent.

On standing up for the first time:

"I absolutely would recommend this school even for someone who never surfed before. I caught my first wave within an hour. Be ready to be tired after the lesson but you will absolutely love this feeling." — Verified Viator reviewer, Latvia

On the private lesson experience:

"I took a private lesson and all that I can say is book that lesson right now! My instructor was funny, professional, and made my lesson perfect — cheering me up even when I did something wrong." — Verified reviewer, Wanderlog

On instructor quality:

"My girlfriend and I took two lessons on different days — one private and one group. Our instructor was absolutely fantastic — highly skilled, passionate, and full of energy. She guided us every step of the way, constantly providing useful feedback and motivation. Even though we had never surfed before, we managed to stand up on the board and ride waves from the very first lesson." — Verified reviewer, Wanderlog

On the overall experience:

"The staff at Kontraola are incredibly friendly people, whom I loved to have surf lessons with! I took two lessons at Kontraola, and it was the best two days of my stay in Tenerife. It was an unforgettable experience! These people are professionals who really cheer you on. I will definitely come back!" — Verified Viator reviewer

On value:

"At Kontraola I had the best surf lessons ever in Tenerife! The price is very good, 2 full hours of surfing, nice and well prepared surf instructors! Strongly recommended!" — TripAdvisor reviewer

On the school's approach to beginners:

"Excellent and passionate instructors will do everything they can to give you the best surf experience. They treat you like a friend, and that is something that makes you enjoy the day in the sun and surfing." — TripAdvisor reviewer

Consistent themes across all reviews: the patience and technical clarity of instructors; the genuine enthusiasm of the team; the feeling that progress happens faster than expected; the combination of safety-consciousness and joyfulness that makes first-timers want to come back.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Forty-plus years of local knowledge. You cannot replicate this. Félix Trujillo has been surfing Playa de las Américas since before surf tourism existed in south Tenerife. His instructors carry that accumulated knowledge into every session. When they read a wave for you, they are drawing on thousands of hours of experience on this specific break, not transferable generic technique.

Class sizes that actually make a difference. Six students maximum per instructor — and a second instructor added the moment that threshold is reached. This is a meaningful operational decision that directly affects how much attention each student receives. Most schools in the region either don't enforce caps or enforce them at higher numbers.

Everything included, nothing to organise. Board, wetsuit, rash guard, accident insurance, lockers, showers, toilets. You show up in your swimsuit and walk to the water. The logistical friction that usually accompanies a surf lesson — where to store belongings, how to return kit, whether insurance covers a fall — has been eliminated.

A proven beginner methodology. The 30-minute land session before entering the water is not a bureaucratic formality. It is the difference between getting in the water confident and getting in the water confused. Kontraola's record of first-timers catching waves in their first session — a claim that appears again and again across reviews — reflects a teaching approach that works.

Adapted surf available. A specific certification for surf instruction adapted to people with disabilities. A relatively rare offering among Tenerife surf schools, and one that speaks to the seriousness with which Kontraola approaches inclusive access to the water.

Year-round operation with seasonally appropriate conditions. Summer gentler for beginners; winter bigger and more powerful for progression. Both work. Playa de las Américas' consistent Atlantic swell and low-wind profile means conditions are reliable enough to plan a lesson around — unusual in a region that can swing significantly with weather patterns.

Rentals extend the value beyond lessons. Whether you want to spend a free afternoon practising what you learned, or you're an experienced surfer who simply needs a board for the week, the rental service covers surfboards, bodyboards, SUP, wetsuits, and booties at rates that don't require a second thought.

Cons

Book early for peak periods. The school's quality and pricing have earned it a following, and popular time slots fill during July–August and December–January. Last-minute bookings are possible outside peak periods, but if you have a fixed travel itinerary, booking ahead removes the risk of your preferred session being gone.

Photography is an add-on, not included. If you want to leave with images of yourself in the water, the photography service is available but requires a separate purchase decision after the session. Knowing this in advance prevents a surprise; it does not diminish the lesson.

Children under 13 cannot join adult group classes. A safety policy, not a restriction on access — private and semi-private lessons are available for younger children and can be accompanied by a family member. But if you are planning a multi-child family group session expecting all ages to join the same class, this is worth knowing first.

The south of Tenerife, not the north. For travellers staying in the north of the island — Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava — Playa de las Américas involves a drive. This is a geography point rather than a criticism: the south and north of Tenerife are different surfing environments, and Kontraola is specifically and intentionally rooted in the south. For visitors based in the south, this does not apply.

Who Is Kontraola For — and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Kontraola is an excellent fit if you:

• Are a complete beginner and want to catch a wave on your first session

• Are staying in south Tenerife — Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje — and want easy beach access

• Want a certified, experienced, multilingual instructor and don't want to guess at quality

• Are looking for a family-friendly option with clear age-appropriate structures

• Want to rent equipment for independent sessions alongside or after taking a lesson

• Are a surfer with a disability looking for adapted instruction from a certified teacher

• Want to know the wave conditions in advance and plan your session around them

Kontraola is probably not the right fit if you:

• Are staying in the north of Tenerife and want a school close to your accommodation (the drive to Playa de las Américas is real)

• Are an advanced surfer looking for coaching in more powerful, technical north-coast breaks

• Need guaranteed same-day availability during peak summer and winter periods without advance booking

The clearest test: if the image of walking directly from your hotel in the Playa de las Américas area onto a beach, suiting up in two minutes, spending 30 minutes learning from someone who has surfed these specific waves for four decades, and then standing on a board in the Atlantic Ocean on your first proper attempt — if that sounds like exactly the kind of day you want to have in Tenerife — Kontraola was built for you.

How Kontraola Compares in the South Tenerife Surf School Market

Kontraola does not try to compete on volume. It competes on something more durable: the credibility that comes from 15 years of teaching on the same beach, the depth of knowledge that comes from 42 years of surfing it, and the operational care that comes from a school founded on family values rather than tourist throughput.

Félix Trujillo and the Kontraola Story

Kontraola was not launched as a business plan. It grew out of a life.

Félix Trujillo was among the first surfers of Playa de las Américas — part of a generation of local surfers who discovered a sport that was, at the time, almost entirely associated with visiting American tourists. Surfing was not considered a local activity. It was not considered a sport with a future in south Tenerife. And yet Félix and others like him kept surfing, kept learning, kept sharing. For years before the school existed, he gave free lessons to young people from the island, building a relationship with the sport and with the beach that preceded any commercial consideration.

Fifteen years ago, he formalised that into Kontraola — a school built on family values, in the heart of the beach that had shaped him. The name itself, kontraola (against the wave), signals the ethos: not going with the easy current, but finding your own line through the water.

The school has since expanded — certified instructors, multiple languages, Quiksilver and Roxy backing, a full rental operation — but the founding logic has not changed. When Félix's About page says the aim of the school is the teaching and dissemination of surfing for safe and effective practice, along with the protection of the natural environment that surrounds them daily, it is not copy produced by a marketing team. It is the statement of a person who has spent four decades on one stretch of coastline and cares what happens to it.

That origin story has practical implications for the experience: the instructors know the break. They know the currents, the seasonal shifts, the specific rhythms of these waves. When they tell you when to paddle and when to pop up, they are drawing on something that cannot be acquired in a classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skill levels does Kontraola accept? All levels, from complete beginners to advanced surfers looking to refine technique. Instructors adapt each session individually.

How long are the lessons? Two hours for all class types — 30 minutes of land-based theory and warm-up, followed by 90 minutes of practice in the sea at Playa de las Américas.

What is included in the price? Surfboard or bodyboard (appropriate to level), neoprene wetsuit, rash guard, optional booties and helmet, accident insurance, access to lockers, toilets, and showers with gel and shampoo. Photography is available but not included.

How many students per instructor? Maximum 6 adults per instructor in group classes. If the group exceeds 6, a second instructor is assigned automatically. This is below the Spanish Surf Federation's permitted maximum of 8.

Is surfing safe for children? Yes. Lessons are designed for ages 8 and up. Children under 13 cannot join adult group classes — they attend private or semi-private sessions, where a family member can accompany them if desired.

Do you offer adapted surf lessons? Yes. Félix Trujillo holds specific certification for adapted surf instruction for people with disabilities. Contact the school directly to discuss requirements.

Do I need to bring anything? A swimsuit or bikini, a towel, and stick sunscreen for your face. Everything else is provided.

Is a car needed to reach the school? No. The school is located directly on Playa de las Américas at Calle México, C. Comercial Las Pameras, Local 11 — walking distance from the main resort hotels in the area.

Can I rent equipment without taking a lesson? Yes. Standalone rentals are available for surfboards, bodyboards, standup paddles, wetsuits, and booties. See the rentals section above for rates.

How do I book? Online via the FareHarbor booking system at kontraolasurftenerife.com, or directly by email at kontraola@gmail.com or by phone at +34 629 62 93 01.

Final Verdict: Is Kontraola Worth It?

Yes — and the case is uncomplicated.

Kontraola Surf School is the kind of place that does the essential things at a level that most comparable operations in south Tenerife do not. The instructors are certified and genuinely experienced. The class sizes are deliberately capped below the permitted maximum. The equipment is complete and the facilities are functional. The location is as convenient as a surf school can get: directly on the beach where lessons take place.

But the thing that actually distinguishes Kontraola is harder to put on a brochure: Félix Trujillo has been surfing these specific waves for over four decades. The school was built on the beach where he grew up. His instructors carry that depth of local knowledge into every session, and first-time students feel it — in how they are read individually, in how the conditions are explained, in the confidence that comes from learning from people who understand the break they are teaching on.

For a complete beginner, that means catching a wave. For an intermediate surfer, that means meaningful feedback rather than generic instruction. For a family, that means a structured, safe experience on a consistent beach with certified, multilingual instructors who have done this thousands of times.

Forty-two years of surfing, fifteen years of teaching, and one stretch of Atlantic coastline that the team knows better than anyone else on it. That is the Kontraola offer. It is a genuine one.

Book your Kontraola surf lesson → 📧 kontraola@gmail.com 📱 +34 629 62 93 01 📍 Calle México, C. Comercial Las Pameras, Local 11, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

Last updated: 2026 | Based on firsthand research, verified guest reviews, and public listing data from kontraolasurftenerife.com, TripAdvisor, Viator, Wanderlog, and Google Reviews.