Private Surf Class with Certified Instructor in Cartagena

Catch your first wave in Cartagena. This private 90-minute lesson with certified surf coach Hugo Gonzalez Chalela offers personal instruction, safety guidance, and plenty of time in the water. I like the one-on-one format, and I like that Hugo gives feedback after each attempt instead of leaving you to guess what went wrong. The class costs $60 per person and begins at 8:00 am in El Laguito.

The main consideration is that 90 minutes can feel short, especially if you need breaks or are still learning the basic movements. You may also stay on a longboard rather than move to a smaller board during your first session. That is useful for stability, but it may disappoint you if trying a shorter board is part of your goal.

Key points to know before booking

• Private coaching with Hugo Gonzalez Chalela: Only your group takes part, so the instruction can be adjusted to your confidence, fitness, and progress.
• A beginner-friendly first step: Several sessions helped complete beginners stand and catch waves during their first lesson.
• A careful board progression: The lesson may begin on a longboard, with a smaller 8-foot midsize board introduced only when you can handle the larger board with confidence.
• A useful 8:00 am start: The early meeting time gives you a clear morning activity and gets you to the beach before the day grows hotter.
• More than standing on a board: Hugo also teaches ocean safety, surfing technique, and ways to keep improving after the class.
• A social purpose: Ohana Surf Experience says lesson income helps teach local children to surf, adding a community benefit to the booking.

Meeting Hugo at El Laguito

Your class starts at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, at CRA 1 DIAGO 1 A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias. The activity ends back at this same meeting point, which keeps the plan simple. The location is near public transportation, so you do not need to arrange a complicated transfer just to reach the lesson.

The 8:00 am start matters in Cartagena. You will want to arrive ready to go, since a 90-minute lesson passes quickly once you have covered the basics, reached the water, and taken a few breaks. Confirmation is provided when you book, so check the meeting instructions before setting out.

This is a private activity. That detail is more important than it may sound. In a larger class, an instructor has to divide attention among different skill levels. Here, Hugo can focus on your position, timing, confidence, and ability to recover after each wave. If two people in your group have different levels, private coaching also gives the lesson more room to adjust.

The meeting point is a restaurant and beach club rather than an elaborate tour office. That makes it practical, but you should read your confirmation carefully for the exact arrival procedure and any preparation instructions. The supplied details do not list changing facilities, towels, refreshments, or hotel pickup, so do not assume those are included.

The first minutes: safety, basics, and getting comfortable

Hugo’s approach begins with a foundation rather than rushing straight into difficult techniques. The class is designed around safety, wave awareness, body position, and the basic mechanics of standing on a surfboard. That is the right order for a first lesson. A quick stand can be exciting, but safe habits are what let you keep surfing later.

The instructor has studied several teaching methods, including therapeutic surfing. In practical terms, that means the class is intended to work with your comfort level, not just with a fixed set of drills. If you feel nervous about the ocean or have surfed before but lost confidence, the private format gives you space to speak up.

You will likely spend part of the lesson learning how to position yourself on the board and how to move from lying down to standing. Hugo’s instructions are described as clear and encouraging, with corrections after individual waves. That feedback is one of the strongest reasons to choose this class over simply renting a board and trying to work it out alone.

For a complete beginner, the first successful stand is the big reward. Several people were able to catch a wave quickly, sometimes on the first or second attempt. That should encourage you, but it is not a promise that every session will produce the same result. Ocean conditions, fitness, balance, nerves, and timing all affect how quickly you progress.

Why the longboard is a sensible first board

A longboard gives you more stability. For a new surfer, that extra steadiness helps you focus on the key steps instead of fighting a narrow, less forgiving board. You may find it easier to learn how to paddle, balance, and stand on a longboard before trying anything shorter.

One session raised a useful point about board choice. The participant expected to use a smaller board but remained on the longboard. The explanation was that a surfer should handle the longboard with more confidence before moving to the 8-foot midsize board. That is a sensible progression, particularly during a first class.

You should know this before booking. If your only aim is to try a shortboard, this may not be the right lesson for you. If your goal is to learn good basics and catch waves with a better chance of success, the larger board is probably an advantage.

The lesson also includes breaks when needed. Surfing is tiring, even when you are having fun, and repeated paddling can drain your energy quickly. Taking time to catch your breath can help you listen better and use sound technique instead of simply pushing through fatigue.

Time in the water and one-to-one feedback

The heart of the class is practice. After the initial instruction, you work toward catching waves with Hugo nearby, giving advice between attempts. This format lets you make a correction, try again, and see the result while the movement is still fresh in your mind.

That immediate feedback is especially valuable for beginners. You might know that you fell, but not know if the problem was your timing, foot placement, balance, or body position. Hugo’s role is to identify the issue and give you one clear adjustment at a time.

The private setting also helps if you are anxious. Surfing can look easy from shore, but getting onto a moving board takes concentration. Hugo has been praised for patience, kindness, and helping nervous people feel safe and self-confident. Those qualities matter as much as technical skill during a first lesson.

At the same time, keep your expectations realistic. The class lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes, not an entire morning. Some of that time may go toward instruction, breaks, and setting up each attempt. One participant felt there was not enough time on the board and did not get to use the smaller board. That is the clearest warning in an otherwise very positive set of feedback.

If you want more water time, arrive focused and ready. Listen closely during the first explanations, avoid spending too long on equipment decisions, and tell Hugo early if you have a specific goal. You may want to catch a first wave, improve an earlier surfing skill, regain confidence, or learn how to progress toward a smaller board.

What makes Hugo’s coaching effective

Hugo Gonzalez Chalela is presented as both a surf coach and a life coach. His connection to surfing is personal and long-standing, and that enthusiasm comes through in the way he teaches. The strongest praise centers on his patience, positive attitude, clear instructions, and ability to make beginners feel at ease.

That combination is useful because technical instruction alone can feel stiff. Hugo’s teaching style appears warm without losing focus. He explains the basics, watches what you do, then offers practical advice after each wave. You are not simply being told to try harder.

He also treats surfing as a relationship with the ocean, not just a trick to add to your holiday list. The class includes attention to safety and a foundation for continuing on your own. Afterward, some participants received suggestions for documentaries, books, and other resources about surfing and surf culture.

Photos were also provided after at least one session. Since the available details do not promise photos for every booking, ask about this if pictures matter to you. The same applies to any extra coaching after the scheduled 90 minutes. One participant was offered additional waves after the official session, but chose to stop because of fatigue. That shows some flexibility, but it should not be treated as guaranteed extra time.

The $60 price and what you receive

At $60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to stand on a surfboard. You are paying for a private lesson rather than a group introduction, and that distinction gives the price its value.

The main benefit is focused coaching. You do not have to wait while an instructor works with several unrelated students. You get advice shaped around your own progress, and you can ask questions without holding up a group.

The price also covers more than a quick demonstration. The experience is built around safety, technique, practice, and feedback. For a first-time surfer, avoiding bad habits can save frustration later. A lesson that helps you stand safely and understand why you succeeded is worth more than a simple board rental.

There is also a social element. Ohana Surf Experience describes itself as a social enterprise, with lesson income helping teach local children to surf. If supporting a local program matters to you, that gives the booking an added reason beyond your own morning at the beach.

Still, value depends on your goals. If you already surf confidently, 90 minutes of beginner-focused instruction may not be enough. If you have never surfed, feel unsure in the water, or want a private teacher who can give constant corrections, the rate is easier to justify.

Who should book this Cartagena surf lesson

I would point this class first toward complete beginners, solo visitors, couples, and friends who want to learn together. The private arrangement keeps the tone personal, and the instructor’s patient approach suits people who are nervous about standing up or returning to surfing after time away.

It can also work well for families, since the coaching is intended for both children and adults. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so confirm that directly if you are booking for a child.

This lesson may suit you if:

• You want a first surfing experience with close instruction.
• You prefer encouragement and practical corrections over a large group lesson.
• You want to understand safe technique before practicing alone.
• You like the idea of supporting a local children’s surfing program.
• You are happy to begin on a stable longboard.
• You want a morning activity near public transportation.

I would think twice if you need a long session, want a shortboard immediately, or already have enough experience to need advanced coaching. The 90-minute length is best viewed as a focused introduction, not a full surf course.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

Surfing depends on conditions, so the class requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows Cartagena’s local time.

Most people can participate, but the available information does not describe specific accessibility arrangements or medical restrictions. If you have a condition that affects balance, swimming, mobility, or exertion, contact the provider before booking and explain what support you need.

Since the class starts at 8:00 am, plan your morning around reaching El Laguito on time. The details do not state that transport from your hotel, food, drinks, towels, or photos are included. Treat the meeting point as the full transport arrangement unless your confirmation says otherwise.

My verdict: a strong first surf lesson

I recommend this private class if you want a friendly, carefully taught introduction to surfing in Cartagena. Hugo’s patience and clear feedback are the biggest strengths, and the private format gives beginners a better chance to learn instead of simply copying a demonstration from a distance.

The key limitation is time. You may not reach a smaller board, and you may feel that the 90 minutes ends just as you are finding your rhythm. Still, for $60, the combination of personal coaching, safety instruction, repeated attempts, and possible follow-up resources offers solid value.

Book it if your real goal is to catch your first wave and build a safe foundation. If you need advanced technique or a long stretch of uninterrupted board time, choose a longer or more specialized lesson instead.

FAQ

Where does the private surf class meet?

It meets 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 class begin?

The class starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The class lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Does the class end at the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Who teaches the lesson?

The lesson is taught by certified surf coach Hugo Gonzalez Chalela.

Is this class suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The class is designed to teach foundational surfing skills, and most people can participate. The available details also describe instruction for both kids and adults.

Will I use a smaller surfboard?

Not necessarily. Beginners may start on a longboard for stability and move to an 8-foot midsize board only after showing enough confidence and control.

How much does the lesson cost?

The price is $60 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the class?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.