Surfing starts with confidence, not bravado. This private Cartagena class pairs a certified instructor with real technique work in the water, plus safety and encouragement that actually helps you progress. Private class. Hugo Gonzalez Chalela.

I love how patient and confidence-building the coaching feels, especially for first-timers who worry they will struggle. I also like that the lesson doesn’t stop when you get out of the water; you get useful follow-up tips and extras like photos and learning resources to keep improving.

One thing to consider: the focus is on getting you standing and surfing well, which means you might spend more time on fundamentals (often on a stable longboard) than on chasing tons of different board types. And like all ocean activities, it depends on good weather, so plans can shift if conditions are off.

Key Highlights Before You Go

• Truly private instruction: only your group, so you get direct feedback instead of sharing attention.
• Beginner-friendly teaching style: encouragement plus clear, wave-by-wave coaching.
• Board choice built for success: you start with stability, and the coach decides when you are ready to go shorter.
• More than the 90 minutes: photos and learning recommendations (documentaries and literature) after the session.
• Surfing with a purpose: the Ohana Surf Experience is a social enterprise that supports local kids learning to surf.
• Highly consistent results: a 5/5 rating with 100% recommending the class in 36 reviews.

Cartagena Surf Lesson: A 90-Minute Class That Builds Real Confidence

If you’ve been thinking about surfing but feel like it will be chaos, this is the opposite. This is a private, certified class in Cartagena that focuses on the basics in a way that makes sense fast. In about 1 hour 30 minutes, you work on technique, get safety guidance, and go into the ocean with a plan, not vibes.

The vibe is friendly, but the coaching isn’t vague. You’re given constructive feedback after each attempt. You also get breaks between waves so you can breathe, reset, and focus again. That matters because surfing is physical, and it’s also mental.

The result is that even brand-new surfers often feel like they are doing something real within the lesson. It’s not about perfection. It’s about getting your body into the right rhythm so you can catch and ride waves confidently.

Where You Meet by the Beach Club (and Why That Helps)

Your session starts at Restaurante Punta las Velas Club de playa, address listed as CRA 1 DIAGO 1 A 80, El Laguito, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia. The lesson ends back at the same meeting point.

That location choice is practical. El Laguito is a common tourist-friendly area, and the meeting point is marked as being near public transportation. In a city where plans can take longer than expected, having a clear starting place reduces stress.

The start time is 8:00 am. Early can sound inconvenient, but it often means you are getting on the water with better conditions than later in the day. Also, you only have 90 minutes, so arriving on time helps you use every minute.

Coach Hugo Gonzalez Chalela: The Instruction Style That Clicks

This class is led by Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, surf/life coach, and the experience is built around teaching that feels both structured and supportive. The goal is not just to get you standing once. It’s to build a foundation so you can keep surfing after the lesson.

From the way the instruction is described, the coach mixes technique with a mindset you can actually use in the ocean:

• Safety guidance that helps you feel in control
• Technique work for standing up and riding
• A friendly, constructive approach that keeps you relaxed
• A focus on therapeutic surfing, which is basically about using the ocean experience in a grounded, human way

Hugo’s coaching shows up in how he gives feedback. Multiple first-time surfers highlight that they got clear guidance after each wave and that he was attentive throughout. That wave-by-wave feedback loop is key. Surfing improves when you can connect one attempt to one adjustment.

There’s also a big emotional component. People who had fears or hesitations about surfing say Hugo made them feel safe and comfortable. That is not a small thing. If your body is tense, you can’t learn well, and the board feels harder than it should.

How a Private Surf Session Really Plays Out in the Water

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That gives you the advantage of more direct coaching and less downtime.

You’ll spend the session learning and practicing in a way that typically looks like this:

1. Getting oriented: basics explained so you know what to do before you’re out there.
2. Hands-on practice: repeated attempts in the conditions you’re given, with coaching cues you can use right away.
3. Wave attempts with coaching feedback: the instructor helps you adjust between tries, instead of just letting you figure it out.
4. Breaks between waves: you get time to recover so you can try again with better focus.

A standout detail from the feedback is that the coach builds in breaks between waves to help you catch your breath. That means you don’t end the session completely wiped out and discouraged. You stay in the learning zone.

And yes, even brand-new surfers often get on waves quickly. One of the strongest themes in the feedback is that the attention and patience help beginners stand and ride their first wave fast. That’s exactly what you want from a first lesson in Cartagena.

Longboard First: Why Board Choice Matters for Beginners

If you’re picturing a classic short surfboard from day one, adjust that expectation slightly. The lesson is designed around getting you stable and successful early.

One of the details that came up in feedback is that some learners were placed on an 8-foot midsize longboard instead of a smaller board. The reason is simple: longboards give more stability. To move onto a shorter board, you need more confidence and control first.

This is one of those coaching decisions that can feel minor until you try surfing. If you’re struggling to balance, a smaller board adds difficulty you don’t need yet. A stable board helps you:

• stand more consistently
• focus on the technique cues you’re receiving
• progress without getting constantly knocked off balance

That also connects with another common experience from the lesson: you might not feel like you are on the board for every second, but you are being coached for better outcomes. There’s a trade-off here: less time chasing waves, more time learning what to do during each wave attempt.

Good Waves, Good Coaching: Getting the Most From Your Time

The class aims to take you to a good spot for learning. Feedback highlights that the instructor was thoughtful about where to surf, and that the instruction is both patient and technical enough to create improvement.

You can also expect coaching that is encouraging, not harsh. People describe the mood as positive and supportive, with instructors who give feedback in a way that makes you want to try again right away.

Here are a few practical benefits you can take into the lesson:

• You’ll get direct corrections after waves, so you aren’t repeating the same mistake blindly.
• You’ll get encouragement that helps you stay relaxed.
• You’ll get guidance that builds a foundation you can reuse later if you book another session.

Also, there’s an extra layer: the lesson can extend with additional waves if you are up for it. In one case, the coach offered some extra riding after the official time was over, but the learner chose to stop due to fatigue. That tells you the instructor is paying attention to your readiness, not just the clock.

Price and Value: Why $60 Makes Sense for a Private Class

The price is $60.00 per person, and the duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes. For a private surf class, that’s a straightforward rate, but the real value is what comes with it.

You’re paying for:

• one-on-one coaching time (or at least a private group setup that keeps attention focused)
• safety and technique guidance that helps you progress faster than trial-and-error
• wave-by-wave feedback while you learn
• follow-up learning resources like photos, plus surf documentaries and literature
• clear tips to keep improving after the session

On top of that, Ohana Surf Experience is described as a social enterprise. That means the lesson support ties into teaching local kids to surf. You get the fun of riding waves, and you also support a bigger local mission.

If you’re comparing a group lesson versus a private setup, the difference is attention. Surfing is hard to learn when someone is trying to coach multiple people at once. Here, the coaching tone and feedback style are built around helping you actually improve during the session.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Want a Different Setup)

This class is designed for a wide range of participants. The info says most travelers can participate, and feedback includes solo surfers, couples, and friends. The instructor also emphasizes teaching both kids and adults.

It’s a great fit if you:

• are a complete beginner and want your first success fast
• feel nervous about surfing or fear getting hurt
• want clear instruction without a pushy tone
• want follow-up learning resources, not just a one-and-done experience

It might be less ideal if you:

• expect to switch quickly to a smaller, more advanced board within the same first session
• want maximum time standing on the board for every second
• are very sensitive to fatigue and can’t handle breaks between attempts

But the board choice and pacing are part of the teaching logic. Stable learning beats constant falling.

Weather Rules in the Real World

This experience requires good weather. If the session is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That’s the kind of rule you want to see for ocean activities.

Practical advice: treat the 8:00 am start as part of the lesson strategy. If you show up tired, cold, or distracted, it’s harder to learn quickly. A surf class goes better when you’re present.

What You’ll Take Home: Photos, Tips, and Surf Culture

One of the coolest parts is that the lesson doesn’t end at exit-from-the-water. Feedback describes instructors sharing resources to help you continue learning, including:

• photos taken during your session
• tips on how to improve
• surf documentaries and literature
• additional pointers tied to what you did during the lesson

That matters because surfing is seasonal and cyclical. You might not get another session right away. Having learning resources helps you keep the basics fresh, so your next time doesn’t start from scratch.

And if you’re new to surf culture, that extra context makes the sport feel less intimidating. You stop seeing it as a random adrenaline thing and start seeing it as a skill you can build step by step.

Should You Book This Private Surf Class in Cartagena?

Yes, book it if you want a beginner-friendly surf lesson with coaching that stays constructive and specific. The standout points are the patience, the confidence-building teaching style, and the follow-up resources that help you keep improving.

I’d especially recommend it if you’re nervous about your first time in the ocean. The coaching approach is built to make you feel safe and capable, which is exactly what you need before you chase your first wave.

Skip it only if your number-one goal is maximum time riding with no instruction focus. This lesson is about learning. You’ll ride, but you’ll also practice the right way so it sticks.

FAQ

How long is the private surf class?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point for the class?

The meeting point is 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 session start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is this a private experience or a shared group class?

This is private. Only your group participates.

Who is the instructor?

The instructor is Hugo Gonzalez Chalela, listed as the head coach and surf/life coach for the experience.

Is the class suitable for beginners?

Yes. The lesson is described as working well for absolute beginners, with patient instruction and encouragement.

What happens if weather is bad?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.