Private Surf Class with Certified Instructor in Cartagena

The best part of this Cartagena activity is its personal feel. You get a private 90-minute lesson with Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, a certified surf and life coach who focuses on safety, clear technique, and getting you onto real waves as soon as you are ready. Many beginners stand up within their first few attempts, but the lesson is not built around rushing you.

I like the one-to-one coaching, with feedback after each wave, and the way Hugo brings a real love of surfing to the lesson. I also like the calm progression from a stable longboard to more demanding equipment when your balance allows. The main consideration is that surfing depends on the weather and your energy. One lesson lasts about 90 minutes, and the session can feel tiring if you are new to paddling and standing on a board.

Key points to know before booking

• Private instruction: Only your group takes part, so Hugo can adjust the pace, board, and advice to your ability.
• Beginner-friendly teaching: First-time surfers receive basic technique, safety guidance, and repeated feedback after each wave.
• Convenient morning start: Meet at 8:00 am at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa in El Laguito.
• Longboard-first approach: The larger board gives beginners more stability before moving to a smaller 8-foot midsize board.
• More than a single lesson: Hugo may share surf resources, documentaries, literature, and photos after the session.
• Weather-sensitive activity: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, while late cancellations are not refundable.

Starting at 8:00 am in El Laguito

Your meeting point is Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, at CRA 1 Diago 1 A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias. The address is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

An 8:00 am start makes sense for a surf class. You get into the water early, before the strongest heat of the day, and the schedule leaves the rest of your morning open. I would arrive ready to move rather than treating this as a slow breakfast outing. The lesson lasts about an hour and a half, and that time includes instruction, time on the board, and breaks when needed.

The meeting point is useful for anyone staying around El Laguito. If you are staying elsewhere in Cartagena, check your route before booking because the class begins at a specific beach-club address rather than at your hotel.

You take part in a private activity, so only your own group is in the lesson. That matters for beginners. You do not have to keep up with a large class, and Hugo can spend more time fixing your stance, explaining a wave, or letting you catch your breath.

Hugo’s patient approach to learning the basics

Hugo Gonzalez Chalela presents surfing as both a sport and a way of connecting with the ocean. His teaching includes the basics of riding waves, safety, positioning, and technique, with an emphasis on building a sound foundation rather than simply pushing you onto a board.

That foundation is useful even if your only goal is to stand up once. A good first lesson should leave you with more than a lucky ride. You should understand how to position yourself, how to respond to instruction, and what to work on next.

Hugo’s style is especially suited to nervous beginners. He has helped people who were afraid to return to surfing feel safe enough to try again. His method is patient and encouraging, but it still gives you clear points to improve after each attempt.

You can also expect the lesson to adjust to your condition. One person who became tired received breaks between attempts to catch their breath and refocus on technique. That is a sensible approach. Surfing can look easy from the beach, but paddling, balancing, and timing a wave take effort.

Why the longboard matters for your first lesson

Beginners typically start on a longboard because its larger surface gives you more stability. This makes it easier to learn the basic movement from lying down to standing and gives you a better chance of catching a small wave with control.

The class may not move immediately to a smaller board. An 8-foot midsize board is mentioned as a later option, but Hugo’s approach is to wait until you can handle the longboard with more confidence. That can be disappointing if you arrive hoping to use a shorter board right away, yet it is a practical teaching choice.

I would rather begin on the board that helps me learn proper balance than spend the lesson falling off equipment that is too demanding. The goal is not to look advanced for five minutes. It is to understand how the board responds and gain enough confidence to keep practicing.

One previous participant felt they did not get enough time on the smaller board. The response explained that the longboard was chosen for stability and that extra waves were offered after the scheduled 90 minutes, although the participant decided to stop because of fatigue. This is worth knowing if equipment choice matters strongly to you. Tell the instructor what you hope to try, but expect safety and control to guide the decision.

What the 90-minute class feels like

The precise sequence can change with the sea and your ability, but you can expect a focused progression rather than a generic beach introduction.

First comes the basic explanation. Hugo teaches the main movements and safety points so you know what to do before trying to catch a wave. The instructor’s role is active throughout, not limited to a short talk on shore.

Next, you work with the board and practice the movements needed to rise. The larger longboard gives you a steadier platform, which is important when your body is still learning where to place its weight.

Then comes the repeated attempt-and-feedback part of the lesson. You try to catch a wave, receive a correction, and try again. Several people have managed to stand within their first or second attempts, but your results will depend on conditions, balance, comfort in the water, and how quickly you absorb the instructions.

Hugo’s feedback after each wave is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private class. You are not left guessing why the last attempt failed. A small change in posture or timing can make the next attempt much better.

Breaks are part of the process when needed. If you are working hard, a short pause can help you focus more clearly instead of turning the final part of the class into a tiring blur. The session is designed to be fun, but it is still physical activity.

The value of personal coaching

At $60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour and a half in Cartagena. It is also not a casual group introduction. You are paying for a private class, direct instruction, and a teacher who can tailor the session to your group.

That price makes the most sense if you are a complete beginner, a nervous first-timer, or someone who has tried surfing before but never received useful feedback. A group lesson might cost less, but you could spend more time waiting for a turn or repeating the same mistake.

The value is also in the follow-up. Hugo has shared practical resources, surf documentaries, literature, and photos from the session with participants. Those extras are not the main reason to book, but they can help you understand surf culture and continue learning after you leave Cartagena.

One important social detail is connected to Ohana Surf Experience. The business has been described as a social enterprise, with lesson income helping provide surfing instruction for local children. If that community purpose is important to you, it adds meaning to the purchase, though the lesson itself remains focused on your own instruction and safety.

Who will enjoy this class most

This is a strong choice if you have never surfed before and want close attention. Hugo’s calm manner and willingness to explain each step suit people who are excited but unsure about the water.

It also fits solo visitors. A private class avoids the awkwardness of joining a large group alone, and your instructor can spend the full session on your progress.

Couples and friends can book together, though the exact balance of attention will depend on how many people are in your group. The private format still gives you more personal coaching than a standard shared class, but you should not expect unlimited individual time if several people participate.

You may also like it if you have surfed before and want to rebuild confidence. One participant who had fears about returning to the sport was able to get back on the board with Hugo’s support.

The class is less suitable if you want a long free-surf session with little instruction. The purpose is learning, practicing, and receiving corrections. You should also be prepared for physical effort and the possibility that you will finish tired.

Safety, weather, and realistic expectations

The instructor’s training includes safety and therapeutic surfing methods, with the aim of making the water welcoming and constructive. That does not remove the normal demands of surfing. You still need to listen carefully, follow instructions, and judge your own energy honestly.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information, but no detailed medical or age requirements are provided. If you have a health concern, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the lesson will fit your needs.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is a sensible policy for an ocean activity, where conditions affect both comfort and safety.

For your own planning, keep the morning flexible. The class starts at 8:00 am, and the experience ends back at the meeting point, but changing conditions can affect how the session feels. Do not schedule an important early appointment immediately afterward if you want time to recover.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes made inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows Cartagena local time.

What makes the experience memorable

The strongest feature here is not a promise that you will become a surfer in one hour and a half. It is the sense of progress built into the lesson.

You may arrive hoping simply to stay on the board. Then you learn how to position yourself, try a wave, hear one useful correction, and try again. That small cycle can turn a worrying first attempt into a real feeling of control.

Hugo’s enthusiasm also matters. He has been connected to surfing since childhood and treats it as a form of expression, not just a beach activity. His passion comes through in the way he explains the sport and encourages people to keep learning after the class.

The atmosphere is friendly without losing focus. You are there to have fun, but you also receive concrete advice. That combination is why the experience works well as a highlight during a Cartagena trip, especially for someone who wants an active morning rather than another sightseeing stop.

Is the $60 price worth it?

For a private 90-minute class, $60 per person is reasonable if you value personal instruction. You receive a dedicated coach, a private group setting, and a lesson shaped around your confidence and ability.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want to borrow a board and play in the water. This is a coached experience, and the focus is on learning. You may also spend part of the session resting between waves, especially if you are new to the sport.

I see the best value for first-time surfers who want a real chance to catch a wave rather than a quick demonstration. It is also worthwhile for anyone who has tried surfing elsewhere and wants clearer instruction, better feedback, or help overcoming fear.

Should you book this Cartagena surf lesson?

Book it if you want a private, beginner-friendly introduction with a patient instructor and a good chance to stand on your first waves. Hugo’s strongest qualities are his encouragement, clear corrections, and care with choosing the right board for your ability.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may catch several waves, or you may spend much of the class learning balance and timing. Either result can be worthwhile if you want to understand surfing rather than simply pose on a board.

The lesson suits solo visitors, couples, friends, adults, and children who can participate safely. Choose the 8:00 am start, allow for physical effort, and cancel at least 24 hours ahead if your plans change. For a hands-on introduction to surfing in Cartagena, this is a thoughtful choice at $60 per person.

FAQ

Where does the surf class begin?

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

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the surf lesson?

The class lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the class suitable for beginners?

Yes. The instruction is designed for beginners and includes basic technique, safety guidance, and feedback after each wave.

Who teaches the lesson?

The class is taught by Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, identified as a certified surf and life coach.

Will I use a longboard?

Beginners generally start on a longboard because it provides more stability. A smaller 8-foot midsize board may be used when the instructor feels you can handle it with more confidence.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for a personal cancellation.