Private Surf Class with Certified Instructor in Cartagena

Cartagena’s private surf lesson is built around a simple goal: get you safely standing on a wave, then help you understand what you did right. Hugo Gonzalez Chalela leads the 90-minute class from Restaurante Punta las Velas in El Laguito, using patient instruction, clear feedback, and a friendly approach that works well for first-timers.

I like the one-on-one format, since Hugo can adjust the pace to your comfort and give advice after each ride. I also like the focus on building proper habits, rather than rushing you onto a smaller board before you are ready. The main consideration is that 90 minutes can feel short once you allow time for instruction, breaks, and getting back into position after each wave.

Key points to know before booking

• Private coaching with Hugo Gonzalez Chalela: Only your group takes part, so instruction can stay focused on your needs.
• A strong choice for first-timers: Beginners have stood on their first waves quickly with calm, clear guidance.
• Start on a stable longboard: A longboard gives you more balance before you progress to an 8-foot midsize board.
• Safety comes before speed: The lesson covers ocean basics, technique, and confidence in the water.
• Meet at 8:00 am in El Laguito: The class starts at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa and ends there.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Poor weather can also lead to a new date or full refund.

Why this class works for complete beginners

Surfing looks simple from the beach. Paddle, stand, ride. In practice, the timing is tricky, and the first few attempts can feel awkward. The value of a private lesson is that you do not have to guess what to do next.

Hugo’s teaching begins with the basics needed to enter the water with confidence. His approach includes safety, board handling, positioning, and the movements that help you rise from lying down to standing. You are not simply handed a board and told to follow the waves.

That matters for nervous beginners. One former surfer returned to the sport after a period of fear and credited Hugo with helping rebuild confidence. If you are worried about falling, looking clumsy, or not being fit enough, the calm pace and personal attention should make the first session easier.

You can also expect feedback between waves. Hugo watches what happened, points out a specific adjustment, and sends you back with something clear to try. That is far more useful than receiving a long speech about surfing technique before you have felt a wave under the board.

Meeting at 8:00 am in El Laguito

You meet at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, at CRA 1 Diagonal 1A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias. The activity begins at 8:00 am and finishes back at the same meeting point.

The early start is practical. It gives you a cooler part of the day and gets the lesson underway before your sightseeing schedule fills up. You will also want to arrive ready to listen and move, since the 90-minute session includes both teaching and time in the water.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Cartagena. The supplied details do not specify hotel pickup, changing facilities, or a separate equipment rental charge, so confirm those points before booking if they matter to you.

This is a private activity. Your group takes part rather than joining a large class, making it a better fit for couples, friends, families, or solo visitors who prefer direct coaching.

What happens during the 90-minute lesson

The exact order can change with your experience and the conditions, but the class is designed as a practical progression.

You begin by learning the foundations. Hugo explains how to handle the board, how to position yourself, and how to move into a standing stance. Safety is part of the instruction, not an afterthought. His background includes study of several teaching methods, including therapeutic surfing, with an emphasis on comfort and confidence in the water.

Next comes the board work. Beginners generally start on a longboard because its extra length and stability make it easier to find balance. That can feel less exciting than starting on a smaller board, but it is the sensible choice for a first session. Standing successfully on a stable board gives you the movement pattern and confidence needed for later progression.

Then you work on waves. The aim is not to catch every wave. The aim is to learn how to identify a manageable wave, paddle with purpose, rise at the right moment, and keep your balance long enough to enjoy the ride.

Hugo gives feedback after each attempt. Several sessions have led to first rides within the opening attempts, but conditions and individual ability vary. Even if you catch only a few waves, you should leave with a clearer sense of what to practice next.

The timing deserves realistic expectations. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but every wave takes time. You may paddle back out, wait for a suitable wave, take a break, and listen to corrections between attempts. One session included extra waves after the scheduled end, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every booking.

Hugo’s teaching style and what it means for you

The instructor is Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, identified as a surf and life coach. His passion for surfing is a central part of the experience, but enthusiasm alone does not make a good teacher. The useful part is how that enthusiasm appears in practice: patience, clear directions, encouragement, and attention to the person in front of him.

If you are a complete beginner, this style can help you avoid the two most common problems. First, you will not be left wondering why you keep falling. Second, you will not be pushed faster than your confidence allows.

If you have surfed before, the private format gives you a chance to ask focused questions and work on a specific weakness. The class is not limited to people who have never touched a board. One participant with previous lessons found Hugo’s instructions especially helpful for making further progress.

The lesson also has a personal side. Hugo describes surfing as a major part of his life and uses it as a way to connect people with the ocean. That outlook gives the session more purpose than simply checking off a water activity. You are learning a sport, but also getting an introduction to surf culture and the discipline behind it.

Choosing the right board for your first waves

A notable detail is the use of a longboard before moving to a smaller board. An 8-foot midsize board was mentioned as a later option, but the instructor did not put one participant on it because she needed more confidence on the longboard first.

That is good coaching, even if it is not what every beginner expects. Smaller boards can look more stylish and feel more like the equipment used by experienced surfers, but they are less forgiving. If you are still working on balance and standing smoothly, the longboard gives you a better chance to learn rather than simply struggle.

You should also know that breaks may be part of the plan. Surfing is physical, and repeated paddling can leave you tired quickly. Hugo has allowed pauses so students can catch their breath and refocus on technique. If you want maximum board time, tell him at the start. If you are nervous or out of practice, accept the pauses as part of a productive lesson.

The value of a $60 private lesson

At $60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour and a half in Cartagena. It is also not priced like a casual board rental. You are paying for an instructor, a private group setting, safety guidance, coaching between waves, and a structured introduction to surfing.

That makes the price easier to justify if you are new to the sport. A rental gives you equipment, but not the correction that helps you improve. A group class may cost less per person, but you are likely to receive less individual attention.

For couples or friends, the cost may offer good value if everyone wants to learn together. For a solo visitor, the price is higher on a per-person basis, but the direct access to Hugo can make the lesson more efficient.

The experience also has a social purpose. Ohana Surf Experience directs money from lessons toward teaching local children to surf. If that community element matters to you, it adds meaning to the purchase. Still, you should book for the quality of the lesson first, not assume every session will produce a perfect ride or professional photographs.

Some sessions have included photographs, surf documentaries, reading suggestions, and resources for continuing to learn. These extras are appealing, but they should be viewed as possible additions rather than guaranteed inclusions unless confirmed when you book.

Who should book this Cartagena surf experience

This lesson is best suited to:

• Adults trying surfing for the first time
• Children or teens who need patient, supportive instruction
• Solo visitors who want direct coaching
• Couples and friends looking for an active morning
• Returning surfers who want help rebuilding confidence
• Beginners who prefer a private class instead of a crowded group

It can also suit people who are unsure about their ability. The lesson is built around safety and gradual progress, and most participants can take part. The supplied information does not list specific medical restrictions, swimming requirements, age limits, or board sizes for every participant, so ask the operator directly if any of those points affect you.

This may be less suitable if you want a long, independent surf session with little instruction. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is to use a short board immediately. The teaching method favors control and fundamentals before speed or style.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful in a water sport, where conditions affect both safety and enjoyment.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows Cartagena local time.

Wear what you are comfortable moving in and plan to spend the morning in the water, but the supplied details do not specify clothing, storage, showers, or changing facilities. Confirm those practical details before you go. You should also allow enough time to reach El Laguito, since the activity begins promptly at the stated meeting point.

The best part: learning to catch your first wave

The first successful ride is the reason to book this class, but the most useful result is learning why it worked. Hugo’s coaching aims to give you that foundation.

You may stand on your first wave quickly, as several sessions have done. You may also need repeated attempts, extra rest, or more time on the longboard. Both outcomes are normal. Surfing depends on conditions, timing, balance, and how comfortable you feel that day.

I like that the class does not treat a single successful ride as the finish line. The advice after the lesson can include ways to keep improving, along with material about surf culture. That makes the session more useful if you plan to surf again during your trip or continue at home.

The experience also has an emotional payoff. Standing on a moving wave, even for a few seconds, feels very different from watching surfers from shore. You get a direct sense of why the sport matters to Hugo and why a first lesson can become a highlight of a Cartagena visit.

Should you book it?

Book this private surf class if you want a patient introduction, clear instruction, and a real chance to stand on a wave during your first session. Hugo’s strengths are his calm feedback, personal attention, and care with beginners. The private format and community connection also make the $60 price easier to defend.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may not spend every minute standing on the board, you may need to stay on a longboard longer than expected, and weather can affect the session. If you accept that surfing is a skill rather than a guaranteed photo opportunity, this is a strong choice for a fun, active morning in Cartagena.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

It begins at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, located at CRA 1 Diagonal 1A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the lesson last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Who teaches the class?

The instructor is Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, identified as a surf and life coach.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. Most participants can take part, and the instruction is designed to build a foundation for people starting to surf.

What board will a beginner use?

Beginners generally start on a longboard for greater stability. An 8-foot midsize board may be used later when the student has more confidence.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

You can receive a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.