Updated
Gerry has been teaching surfing in Famara for years, and the question he hears most on the beach is not about waves — it is “what board should I be on?”. In this 13-minute video he walks through the equipment that actually matters at each stage, from your first soft-top to a shortboard. Below the video is the short version, level by level, with the numbers and the one tip from Gerry that saves most people months.
The short version
| Level | Board | Wetsuit in Lanzarote | Gerry’s tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | soft-top 8′–9′, lots of volume | 3/2 mm most of the year | stay on the big board longer than your ego wants |
| Intermediate | funboard or mini-mal, 7′–8′ | 3/2 mm; shorty in summer | change one thing at a time — length or volume, not both |
| Advanced | shortboard or hybrid | light, flexible, sealed seams | fins and leash quality make a bigger difference than you think |
Beginners: volume is your friend
A beginner board has to do two things: paddle easily and stay stable while you get to your feet. That means a soft-top with plenty of volume — the 8 to 9-foot foamies you see at every school. Add a strong leash a little longer than the board and a 3/2 mm wetsuit, which covers most of the year in Lanzarote. Gerry’s tip is the one most people ignore: stay on the bigger board a bit longer than feels necessary. More waves caught means more take-offs practised, and that is what makes you progress in your first surf lessons. We go through every piece of beginner kit in essential surfing equipment.
Intermediates: less volume, more manoeuvre
Once you are catching green waves on your own, the next step is a funboard or a mini-mal: a bit shorter, less volume, much easier to turn. The mistake to avoid is jumping straight to a shortboard; change length or volume in steps and give each board a few weeks. Wetsuit stays a 3/2 for most of the year, with a shorty or lycra in the warmest months. Wax, high-factor sun cream and a padded board bag complete the kit. If you are with us on a surf camp week, instructors help you test and adjust your set-up between sessions, and the rental shop lets you try different shapes before you buy. Our surfboard choice guide has the volume maths.
Advanced: the details start to matter
At this level the board is a shortboard or a hybrid chosen for the waves you surf most — speed and control on the reefs and points of the north shore that our Lanzarote surf guide covers. The wetsuit should be light and flexible with sealed seams, because a stiff suit costs you on every paddle. And the small things become big: fin templates change how the board holds and releases, leash thickness trades drag against strength, and board shape decides what the wave lets you do.
Where to get surf equipment in Famara
Our surf shop in Famara stocks boards, wetsuits and accessories, and Famara Power — our technical shop — sells in store and online with delivery across the Canary Islands. If you are still deciding, rent first: a week on two or three different boards teaches you more than any spec sheet.
Choosing surf equipment — quick answers
What surfboard should a beginner buy?
Ideally none yet — rent or use the school’s boards first. When you do buy, choose a soft-top or a large funboard with plenty of volume, around 8–9 feet for an average adult, and stay on it until you catch green waves consistently.
When should I move to a smaller board?
When you catch unbroken waves on your own and the big board starts to feel slow in turns. Go down in steps — a few inches or litres at a time — rather than jumping straight to a shortboard.
What wetsuit do I need for surfing in Lanzarote?
A 3/2 mm full wetsuit covers most of the year; in July to September a shorty or lycra is enough. Boots, gloves and hoods are not needed.
