Learning to Surf in Fuerteventura: My Transformational Experience with OTRO MODO Surf School

Why Fuerteventura? Why OTRO MODO?

Fuerteventura is known for its wild beaches and year-round surf conditions. But I chose Morro Jable, a quiet town on the southern tip of the island, because I wanted space. No tourist madness. No clubs. Just ocean.

And I chose OTRO MODO Surf School because everyone said they were the best. Now I get it. They are.

From the first email to the last salty goodbye, the whole experience felt effortless. Professional, relaxed, and deeply human. The kind of place where instructors remember your name and laugh with you when you wipe out for the fifth time in five minutes.

What Surf Camp Is Really Like

I booked 5 lessons over 7 days, which gave me both flexibility and rest days. Here’s how it worked:

• Times varied daily, based on tide and wave conditions. They text you the day before.
• They offer hotel pickups, or you meet at their office in Morro Jable.
• Most lessons happened at La Pared, a beach with consistent beginner-friendly waves.
• You get wetsuits and surfboards adapted to your level.

Each session was around 2.5 hours, starting with land-based theory, followed by tons of time in the water. The vibe was supportive, not competitive and even if you face-plant, everyone cheers.

The Basics of Surfing

4 Main Steps:

1. Getting on the board
2. Paddle (small paddles, then strong when the wave is close)
3. Glide
4. Stand up (back foot perpendicular, front foot 45°) + Balance: eyes forward, knees bent

Your hands must be flat on the board edges to push up. Knees close together, feet slightly lifted while waiting for a wave. Always paddle a few times more after the wave hits you to stay stable.

Reading the Ocean

• Green waves are clean, no foam yet. Best to catch.
• “Left handle” = foam forming on the right, so you take the wave to the left. Vice versa for right handle.
• The current is sneaky, you’ll often drift far and need to paddle back to the best spot.

Essential Safety Rules

Rule #1: Protect your head. Every time you fall, cover your head with your arms. Boards bounce. Waves push. A hit to the head is no joke.

Fall smart: Never jump off your board feet-first, you could wreck your ankle. Instead, fall backward or to the side, away from the board. Never forward.

Learn the surf signs:

• Arms crossed = danger
• Fist up = I need help
• One finger up = one last wave before leaving

What Surfing Gave Me

By the end of the week, I was paddling better, gliding longer, and standing up more confidently. But more than that: I felt alive.

Surfing teaches you that control is an illusion. That timing is everything. That falling is part of learning.

And when you catch that one perfect wave, when the board lifts, and everything goes quiet, you feel it: You’re free. Even just for a second.

Small Struggles & Smart Solutions

No one talks about the less glamorous side of surfing, so here’s what I learned the hard way:

• Bruises happen, especially if you let the board drift or hit you during wipeouts.
• If your wetsuit doesn’t cover your knees, ask for a longer one (especially if you're not pro).
• I got dizzy in the water. Turns out, it was seasickness.
  • Motion sickness pills help (but may make you sleepy)
  • Ginger works (tea, capsules, candy)
  • If it's not motion sickness, it might be water in your ears. Pro surfers use special earplugs like the ones in the image above.

Don’t feel bad for needing help. Surfing is demanding, but it’s also forgiving. You fall, you get up. Every single time.

What Surfing Taught Me About Life

Andy, one of the instructors, said something that stuck with me:

"Surfing is like life: every wave is different. Every condition changes, there will be highs and lows. You just try to adjust and enjoy the ride."

He was right.

Some waves lift you up effortlessly. Others crash hard. Some days the sea is calm. Others, it tosses you around like driftwood.

But the point isn’t to control it, it’s to flow with it. To trust the process. No two waves are the same. And that’s the beauty.

Evenings at OTRO MODO: Pizza, Beach Vibes, and Volleyball

Surfing is the main event, but the vibe doesn’t stop at the shore.

OTRO MODO hosts evening activities during the week: like their famous pizza night on the beach, which is super popular with students and instructors alike. We sat in the sand, watched the sunset, shared stories and laughs. The kind of moment you carry with you long after.

Another highlight? Beach volleyball night. It was pure fun, full of spontaneous teams, music, and laughter. Even if you're introverted or come alone, you’ll feel welcomed here.

Would I Recommend OTRO MODO?

Without hesitation.

Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to level up, they’ll meet you where you are. Everyone speaks English, and some instructors even speak Dutch, German, or French.

They’re flexible, professional, and genuinely love what they do. That kind of energy is contagious.

Final Tips Before You Go

• Don’t plan too much: let the island set your pace.
• Trust your instructors: they know when the ocean is ready.
• Celebrate small wins: even standing for a second is a victory.
• Protect your head. Always.
• Look back to time your paddles. Look forward to steer.
• Embrace being a beginner: that’s where the magic lives.

Why Fuerteventura?

This place has a calm magic to it. Morro Jable, in particular, isn’t crowded. The sunsets are unreal. The ocean feels endless. And when you wake up early to watch the sunrise or go stargazing at night, you feel tiny in the best way.