Private Surf Class with Certified Instructor in Cartagena

Catch your first wave before breakfast. This private Cartagena surf class pairs one-on-one coaching with a warm, encouraging teaching style, making it a strong choice for first-timers and returning surfers. I especially like the early 8:00 am start and the chance to receive feedback after each wave. The main drawback is simple: 90 minutes can feel short, especially if you need breaks or the waves are limited.

The lesson begins at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa in El Laguito and ends at the same spot. Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, the surf and life coach, focuses on safety, good technique, and confidence rather than rushing you onto a smaller board. That patient approach matters, though you should expect the ocean and weather to shape the session.

Key points about this Cartagena surf class

• Private instruction with Hugo Gonzalez Chalela: Your group receives personal attention instead of sharing a general class with strangers.
• A useful 8:00 am start: The early meeting time gives you a cooler part of the day for a physically active lesson.
• Built for complete beginners: Hugo teaches the basics carefully and has helped first-timers stand on their first or second attempt.
• Longboards come first: The larger board offers more stability, while progression to a smaller board depends on your control and confidence.
• Helpful coaching after each wave: You receive clear corrections while the lesson is still fresh and practical.
• Weather-sensitive plans: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

Starting at El Laguito at 8:00 am

Your meeting point is Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de Playa, at CRA 1 DIAGO 1 A 80 in El Laguito, Cartagena. The class starts at 8:00 am and returns to this same point when the session ends.

That early hour is one of the better choices for a surf lesson in a warm coastal city. You are not giving up a full day of sightseeing, and you avoid placing a demanding physical activity in the hottest part of the day. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Cartagena.

I would allow extra time to reach the club, even though the address is clear. A surf lesson is not the place to arrive breathless and hurried. You want a few calm minutes to find the meeting point, meet Hugo, and prepare your mind for the water.

The class is private, so only your group participates. That changes the mood right away. Hugo can adjust his explanations to your ability, spend more time on a movement that feels awkward, and give you direct attention instead of dividing his time among a large class.

Your first board and the first safety lesson

Hugo’s teaching begins with a foundation. He has spent years studying different surfing methods and techniques, including therapeutic surfing, and places strong weight on safety and comfort in the water.

For a complete beginner, this is important. Surfing is not simply a matter of lying on a board and standing up quickly. You need to understand how to position yourself, how to respond to a wave, and how to move from lying down to standing without losing control.

The experience uses a longboard as the starting point when appropriate. A longboard gives you more stability, which can make the first attempt less intimidating. It also gives Hugo a better way to assess your balance and control before moving you to an 8-foot midsize board.

That progression may disappoint someone hoping to use a shorter board right away. Yet it is a sensible teaching choice. A smaller board is not automatically more fun for a beginner. It can be less stable and make it harder to learn the basic movements. I would see the longboard as part of the lesson, not as a lesser option.

One previous participant felt they had limited time on the board and did not get to use the smaller one. The response from the Ohana team explained that changing boards depends on handling the longboard with more confidence. That gives you a useful expectation: the instructor is likely to prioritize control and safety over checking off a particular piece of equipment.

The 90-minute lesson and how it feels

The advertised duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is enough time to learn the basic movements, get into the water, try several waves, and receive corrections. It is not a full-day surf camp or an extended training session.

The exact rhythm can vary. You may spend part of the time listening to instructions, practicing technique, paddling, waiting for a suitable wave, and taking short breaks. Surfing takes effort, and pausing can help you catch your breath and focus on the next correction.

Hugo’s method is active and encouraging. He gives feedback after each wave, which is more useful than hearing a long explanation once at the beginning. You can try a movement, learn what went wrong, and make a small adjustment on the next attempt.

That cycle is a major strength of private coaching. In a larger class, you might wait while other people take their turn. Here, the lesson is shaped around your progress. If you are nervous, Hugo can slow down. If you catch on quickly, he can add another layer of technique.

The best outcome is not necessarily standing on every wave. For some people, the real achievement is learning how to handle the board, reading the water with more confidence, or catching one clean ride. Still, several participants have managed to stand on a first wave very quickly, sometimes on the first or second attempt.

Why Hugo’s teaching style matters

Hugo Gonzalez Chalela is presented as a surf and life coach, and his approach appears to be as much about confidence as mechanics. He is patient with people who are afraid to return to surfing, and he uses positive instruction rather than pressure.

That makes this class a good fit if you are worried about looking clumsy or failing in front of an instructor. You can expect clear guidance without the feeling that you need to perform like an experienced surfer.

I also like the personal reason behind Hugo’s work. He began surfing as a young boy and describes the ocean as an important part of his life. His enthusiasm is not limited to teaching you how to stand on a board. He wants you to understand why surfing can become a lasting relationship with the sea.

That enthusiasm is useful when you are tired or frustrated. A new surfer may need several attempts before a movement feels natural. A calm, upbeat instructor can keep a difficult lesson from becoming an uncomfortable one.

The teaching also appears to continue after the water portion. One participant received suggestions for improving, along with surf documentaries, literature, and photographs from the session. These extras are not stated as guaranteed for every booking, so I would treat them as a possible bonus rather than part of the promised package.

What the first successful wave can teach you

The special moment in this activity is not the beach club or the meeting point. It is the instant your board moves with the wave and your body finds balance.

For many people, that first ride changes the whole lesson. Before it happens, surfing can seem like a series of strange movements. Afterward, you understand why people keep returning to the ocean.

The class is designed to give you that early success while still building correct habits. Hugo teaches the foundation needed to continue learning instead of simply pushing you upright for a quick photograph.

That distinction matters. You might stand briefly and fall right away, but the lesson still has value if you learn how to position yourself and improve on the next wave. The private format lets you ask questions and get immediate adjustments rather than guessing what happened.

The class also suits people who have tried surfing before but did not feel comfortable. One participant with previous lessons described Hugo’s instruction as especially clear and helpful for improvement. If you already know the basics, tell him at the start. The session can then focus less on first steps and more on control, timing, and confidence.

The social side of Ohana Surf Experience

Ohana Surf Experience presents its work as more than a commercial lesson. One participant noted that the money from lessons helps teach local children to surf through the organization’s social enterprise work.

That gives the $60 price another layer of value. You are paying for private instruction, equipment access associated with the lesson, and the time of a certified instructor. You may also be supporting a project that introduces local children to surfing.

I would not book the class solely for that reason, since the central product is still the lesson. But it is a meaningful point if you prefer spending part of your holiday budget with a small local operation that connects sport, community, and the sea.

The private format also makes the price easier to understand. At $60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 90 minutes in Cartagena. Yet you are not paying for a crowded introductory class. You are paying for direct coaching, a personalized pace, and the chance to receive feedback on each attempt.

For a couple or a small group of friends, the cost may feel especially reasonable because the whole group participates together. Solo visitors should compare the price with their interest in individual instruction. If you mainly want a quick novelty, a group class might be enough. If you care about learning properly, private coaching offers more value.

Who should book this class

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Complete beginners who want patient instruction.
• Solo visitors who would benefit from one-on-one guidance.
• Couples or friends looking for an active Cartagena morning.
• Former surfers who want to rebuild confidence.
• Parents and children who can take part in the activity, since both kids and adults are welcomed.
• People who value a calm, encouraging teacher more than a fast-paced lesson.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a long session, advanced shortboard training, or guaranteed time on a particular board. The 90-minute format has limits, and your physical energy may affect how much water time you manage.

You should also be comfortable with the fact that surfing depends on conditions. A poor-weather cancellation is possible. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Practical timing, cancellation, and preparation

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The cut-off follows local Cartagena time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone. Since the activity requires good weather, it is sensible to avoid scheduling it at the very end of a tightly planned trip.

The available information does not specify a detailed packing list. I would confirm any equipment, clothing, and photo arrangements directly with Ohana before your session rather than assume they are included.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, remember that surfing is physical. You will need enough energy to paddle, balance, stand, fall, and try again.

Is $60 a fair price?

For a private 90-minute class with a certified instructor, $60 per person is a fair price if your main goal is to learn rather than simply spend time at the beach.

The strongest value comes from the personal attention. Hugo can adapt to your fears, give feedback after each wave, and decide when you are ready to progress. That is more useful than a generic lesson where everyone receives the same instructions.

The price also seems reasonable for a first experience that may become a starting point for future surfing. Hugo has shared resources about surf culture and ways to continue learning with some participants, which can help you make sense of the sport after you leave Cartagena.

I would be cautious only if you expect guaranteed perfect waves, unlimited board changes, or a long session. The ocean sets the pace, and your stamina matters. A 90-minute class can be satisfying, but it will not turn you into an advanced surfer in one morning.

Should you book Ohana Surf Experience?

Book this class if you want a supportive first introduction to surfing in Cartagena, especially if you value private coaching and clear, positive feedback. Hugo’s patience, safety-first approach, and personal love of surfing are the main reasons I would choose it.

The best strategy is to arrive ready to learn, not just ready to stand up once. Give the longboard a fair chance, listen to the corrections after each wave, and accept that the water may require breaks.

At $60, this is a worthwhile pick for beginners, nervous returners, couples, and small groups. Skip it only if you want advanced board work or a much longer session. For most first-timers, a successful morning with Hugo could become one of the most memorable active experiences in Cartagena.

FAQ

Where does the 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 start?

The class starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the activity last?

The surf class lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Is the class private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The class is designed for beginners, and most participants can participate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.