Private Surf Class with Certified Instructor in Cartagena

Catching your first wave in Cartagena is the heart of this private lesson, but the real appeal is the close coaching. Hugo Gonzalez Chalela teaches with patience, clear instructions, and an emphasis on safety, so you can focus on standing up rather than worrying about looking foolish. His lessons suit complete beginners, returning surfers, and children.

I like the one-on-one format, since Hugo can adjust the pace after each ride. I also like the positive, personal touch: past students received practical advice for continued learning, surf resources, and, in some cases, photos from the session. The main consideration is that 90 minutes in the water can feel short, especially if you need breaks or hope to move from a stable longboard to a smaller board.

Key points to know

• Private instruction with Hugo Gonzalez Chalela: Your group receives direct coaching rather than sharing a class with strangers.
• A useful first lesson: Beginners work toward standing and catching waves, with feedback after each attempt.
• Safety before speed: Hugo uses stable equipment and builds confidence before moving to a smaller board.
• Early start at Punta las Velas: Meet at 8:00 am at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa in El Laguito.
• A social purpose: The experience supports Ohana Surf Experience, which helps local children learn to surf.
• Strong value for personal coaching: At $60 per person, the price is easier to justify if you want focused help rather than a quick group introduction.

Starting at 8:00 am in El Laguito

Your lesson begins at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, at CRA 1 Diago 1 A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena. The activity returns to this meeting point when the 90 minutes are over.

The early start matters. Surfing is physical work, and a morning lesson gives you a clear block of time before the heat builds. It also leaves much of the day free for Cartagena’s old city, museums, beaches, or a slow lunch. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside El Laguito.

You should arrive ready to follow instructions and spend time in the water. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, lockers, towel service, or transport from your hotel, so plan around the stated meeting point rather than expecting a hotel pickup.

This is a private activity. Only your group participates, a real advantage if you are nervous, traveling with a child, or want the instructor to focus on your particular stance and balance. A private class also lets Hugo slow down when you need another explanation or move ahead when a technique starts to click.

Hugo’s teaching style and what it means for you

Hugo Gonzalez Chalela is presented as a certified surf and life coach with years of study in surfing technique, safety, and therapeutic surfing. His approach is not simply to push you toward the first available wave. He works on the foundation that lets you handle the board with more control.

That foundation begins with clear basics. You can expect instruction on how to use the board, how to position yourself, and how to rise into a standing position. The exact order may change based on your ability, but the lesson is built around practice rather than a long talk on shore.

The strongest feature here is the feedback loop. You try a wave, return to Hugo, hear what to change, and try again. That small correction can make a big difference. One person may need help with foot placement, while another needs to keep the upper body steady or wait for the right moment to stand.

Hugo’s attitude also matters. Several people have described him as patient, encouraging, and reassuring, especially when fear made it hard to get back on a board. That is useful in surfing, where the first challenge is often confidence. You are likely to learn faster when you do not feel embarrassed by a fall or a missed wave.

Your first wave and the 90-minute rhythm

The experience lasts about an hour and a half. That is enough time for a proper introduction, water practice, and repeated attempts, but it is not a full-day surf camp.

A typical session starts with preparation and instruction, followed by time on the board. You will likely spend part of the lesson standing on a more stable longboard. This is a sensible choice for new surfers because the extra stability gives you a better chance to learn balance and body position before handling a shorter board.

The goal is not necessarily to ride every wave. Your first success may be a short stand-up ride, and that is still valuable. Some beginners have managed to catch a first wave within the first few attempts, but conditions, timing, fitness, and comfort in the water all affect how quickly that happens.

Expect breaks when needed. Surfing asks a lot of your legs, shoulders, and attention, especially when you are still learning how to paddle and position yourself. A pause can help you catch your breath and concentrate on Hugo’s next instruction. The tradeoff is simple: if you take several breaks, you will have less time standing on the board.

One past session ended without moving to the smaller 8-foot midsize board. That was explained as a safety and skill choice, not a failure. The longboard gives you a more stable base, and Hugo wants you to control it with confidence before trying something less forgiving. If you already surf, tell him your experience at the start so he can judge where to begin.

Why a private class can be worth $60

The price is $60 per person. For a short lesson, that may look high beside a large group class, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for private instruction, a certified coach, personal feedback, and a session shaped around your group.

The value is strongest for a first-time surfer. A group lesson can leave you waiting while an instructor helps someone else. Here, Hugo can focus on your stance, your confidence, and your next attempt. If you are with a friend or partner, you still share the experience while receiving more direct attention than in a large class.

The price is also easier to justify if the lesson becomes the beginning of a new interest. Hugo has shared surf documentaries, reading suggestions, and practical advice for improvement after class. That follow-up guidance gives you a way to keep learning rather than treating the session as a one-off holiday stunt.

There is also a community angle. Ohana Surf Experience is described as a social enterprise, with lesson income helping local children learn to surf. If that mission is important to you, it adds purpose to the purchase. The provided information does not explain the full program or how funds are allocated, so I would treat this as a positive part of the experience without assuming specific details beyond that stated aim.

Safety, confidence, and choosing the right board

Surfing looks graceful once someone is standing, but the first stage can feel awkward. You need to manage the board, read the timing of the wave, push up quickly, and keep your balance while water moves beneath you. A calm instructor makes this learning curve much less intimidating.

Hugo’s background includes therapeutic surfing, and his teaching is described as safety-focused. That does not remove the normal risks of ocean activity, but it suggests that the lesson is built around controlled progress rather than showing off.

Equipment choice is part of that progress. A longboard gives you more stability, which helps you learn the basic movement. A shorter board may feel more exciting, but it demands more control. If you are hoping to use a smaller board during the first session, keep your expectations flexible. Hugo may decide that staying on a longboard is the smarter choice.

The session is suitable for most people, according to the supplied activity information. Still, surfing is physical, and the experience requires you to participate in the water. If you have concerns about fitness, mobility, or comfort in the ocean, ask the operator before booking.

What makes this more than a basic lesson

The most memorable part may be the personal connection to surfing. Hugo describes the sport as a central part of his life and as a way of expressing himself. That passion comes through in the teaching style, which is focused not only on getting you upright but also on helping you understand why surfing feels so satisfying.

That distinction matters. A basic lesson can teach you how to stand. A better lesson gives you enough context to keep practicing. Hugo’s suggestions about surf culture and further study can help you see the sport as more than a single holiday activity.

The experience also works well for different types of participants. Solo visitors receive concentrated instruction without having to fit into a larger group. Couples or friends can encourage each other while still taking part in a private session. Families may appreciate the patient approach, though the activity details do not give a minimum age, so confirm that before booking for a child.

If you are already an experienced surfer, this is probably best viewed as a targeted coaching session rather than a major challenge. Hugo can provide technique advice, but the supplied details do not promise advanced maneuvers, specialized equipment, or a particular surf break.

The practical drawbacks to keep in mind

The biggest limit is time. Ninety minutes passes quickly once you include instruction, paddling, waiting for a suitable wave, and rest. A first-timer may get several useful attempts, but you should not expect a full progression from beginner to confident surfer in one morning.

The surf conditions are another variable. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. You can then choose another date or receive a full refund. Even on a scheduled day, the number and quality of waves can affect how much you ride.

The meeting point is clear, but the supplied details do not include hotel pickup. You are responsible for getting to Punta las Velas Club de Playa in El Laguito. Since public transportation is nearby, that is manageable, but leave enough time to arrive for the 8:00 am start.

Finally, the class may not end with a smaller board. For a beginner, that is usually sensible. If your main goal is to test a shortboard, ask about the equipment plan before booking and understand that Hugo may keep you on a longboard until your control improves.

Who should book this Cartagena surf lesson

I would choose this class if you are trying surfing for the first time and want more than a quick group demonstration. It is especially well suited to people who value patient instruction, direct corrections, and a reassuring teacher.

It also makes sense for anyone who has tried surfing before but still feels uncertain. Hugo’s coaching can help rebuild confidence and correct habits that are hard to spot on your own.

You may want to skip it if you are looking for a long surf day, advanced board work, or a guaranteed session on a particular type of board. The experience is short and weather-dependent. It is designed as a focused introduction or private coaching session, not an all-day surf adventure.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want a friendly, private start to surfing in Cartagena and you appreciate an instructor who puts safety and confidence ahead of speed. The best value comes from Hugo’s personal feedback, the small-group setting, and the chance to leave with practical advice for continuing.

I would not book it expecting a dramatic transformation in 90 minutes. You may catch a wave quickly, but the larger success is learning the right foundation without feeling rushed or judged. At $60 per person, it is a fair choice for a focused introduction, especially for solo visitors, couples, and friends who want a memorable morning on the water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the lesson are not accepted, and weather cancellations offer either another date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

The lesson starts at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, CRA 1 Diago 1 A 80, El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the surf class last?

The class lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in El Laguito.

Is this a private lesson?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Who teaches the surf class?

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

Is the class suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is designed to build a foundation for people starting to surf, and most people can participate according to the supplied information.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience may be canceled because it requires good weather. You will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded.