Born and raised in Santa Teresa, Lenin grew up surfing these waves and knows the coastline inside and out. He is an advanced surfer with over 14 years of coaching experience, working with people from all over the world, from young children to adults, complete beginners to advanced surfers. Lenin also spent six years living and coaching in Denmark, including in “Cold Hawaii” (Vorupør), giving him a unique international perspective on surf instruction. He teaches fluently in English, Spanish, and Danish, and brings a calm and progression focused approach to every session, helping surfers build confidence, skill, and a genuine connection to the ocean.

Ismael grew up surfing in Santa Teresa alongside Lenin and brings over 12 years of experience teaching surf in the area. Known for his motivating, encouraging, and positive energy, he creates a safe and supportive environment while helping students push their limits and progress with confidence. His deep local knowledge and attentive coaching style make every session both fun and empowering, whether you’re catching your first wave or refining your skills.

Chelsea is the co-owner and creative director at Cafecito Surf, where she brings storytelling and creativity into every part of the experience. After finally getting her hands on professional filming equipment, she is now capturing stunning, high-quality surf footage for Cafecito students using a Sony a6400 paired with a 200–600 mm telephoto lens. You’ll often find her heading to the beach with a coffee in hand, setting up her tripod, and dropping into a focused flow, capturing powerful moments in the water as well as valuable learning opportunities for surfers. For Chelsea, filming is both a tool to support progression and another creative outlet for her artistic soul.