No. We welcome complete beginners as well as beginner and intermediate surfers looking to improve their skills.

Every coaching session is tailored to your current level, goals, and learning pace. Whether you're catching your first wave or working on improving your positioning, wave selection, and turning technique, our coaches will adapt the coaching accordingly.

Venao Surf School specializes in personalized surf coaching designed to accelerate progression. Rather than focusing solely on getting students standing up on a board, we combine in-water coaching, video analysis, surf-specific training, and structured feedback to help surfers develop a deeper understanding of the sport.

Our coaching methodology was designed by former Olympian and 7-time National Champion Anita Chudnenko and is focused on long-term progression, confidence, and independence in the water.

Yes. While many surf schools primarily focus on first-time surfers, we work extensively with both beginners and intermediate surfers.

For beginners, we focus on ocean safety, fundamentals, and building confidence. For intermediate surfers, coaching often focuses on wave reading, positioning, timing, paddling efficiency, turning technique, and overall surf performance.

Video analysis is included in our private coaching sessions and Surf & Stay experiences.

Seeing your surfing from the outside is one of the most effective ways to identify areas for improvement. Video analysis allows us to provide precise feedback and helps surfers understand what is working well and what adjustments will have the greatest impact on progression.

Each private coaching session lasts approx. 1:30 min and combines theory, on-land practice, in-water coaching, and personalized feedback through video analysis.

Depending on your level and goals, sessions may focus on ocean awareness, paddling technique, wave selection, positioning, pop-up technique, or surf performance. By combining coaching in and out of the water, we help surfers build confidence, improve faster, and develop a deeper understanding of the sport.

Yes. Surfboards are included during coaching sessions.

We select equipment based on your level, goals, and the conditions on the day to ensure the best possible learning experience.

Safety is always our top priority.

If ocean or weather conditions are deemed unsafe, we may adjust the session location, modify the coaching plan, or reschedule the session. Our goal is always to provide a safe, enjoyable, and productive learning environment while respecting the conditions of the ocean.

Our Beginner Surf Lesson starts at USD 130 per session for 2 people. Additional participants can be added for USD 65 per person, subject to availability.

We keep our groups small to ensure everyone receives plenty of individual attention and has a safe, enjoyable first surfing experience.

Located on Panama's Pacific coast, Playa Venao offers tropical water, year-round waves, and a variety of surf conditions suitable for different skill levels. Its consistency, relaxed atmosphere, and vibrant surf community make it one of the best destinations in Central America for surfers looking to learn, progress, and spend more time in the ocean.

Playa Venao offers surf year-round, making it a great destination at any time of year. The green season (May to November) typically brings larger and more consistent swells, making it particularly attractive for surfers looking to maximize water time. The dry season (December to April) offers sunnier weather, smaller swells, and ideal conditions for beginners.

If you're unsure when to visit, we'd be happy to recommend the best period based on your experience level and goals.