Our Story
Our journey began on the waves of northern Nicaragua, where we met surfing these beautiful beaches. It wasn't long before we realized we shared the same vision: to create a surf school that offers more than just great surf lessons.
As a locally owned and operated surf school, supporting our community has always been at the heart of what we do. We believe surfing has the power to bring people together and create opportunities. Through surf lessons, board donations, equipment sponsorships, and mentorship for local surfers who aspire to become instructors, we're committed to helping surfing continue to grow in northern Nicaragua.
Today, Sunrise Surf School is more than our business. It's our way of sharing our passion for surfing while giving back to the community that brought us together.
Every lesson we teach and every guest we welcome helps create opportunities for local coaches, young surfers, and the future of surfing in northern Nicaragua.
Get to Know us & Our Team
Chepo - Head Surf Coach
Hi guys, I’m Chepo, co-owner and head surf coach at Sunrise Surf. I was born and raised right here in Aserradores, Northern Nicaragua, and feel very lucky to call this place home.
Growing up, I was always watching my friends and the older local surfers out in the water, but my family was scared of the ocean and I didn’t have a surfboard of my own. Finally, when I was 15, a generous neighbour gave me an old board and from that moment on, I was hooked.
Over the years, surfing became a huge part of my life. I worked with local surf retreats, learned to coach surfers of all different levels, improved my English, and gained experience with video analysis. What started with one old surfboard eventually gave me the confidence to follow my dream and open my own surf school.
As a coach, I bring a lot of energy to the water! I love having fun, joking around, and making people feel comfortable. I’m especially passionate about helping people ride waves and push their surfing, but I also know when to slow things down, be patient, and give you the time you need. My class-clown personality usually means there are plenty of laughs along the way too.
One of my favourite parts of surfing is getting to share it with other people. I’m also really proud to be part of the next generation of local surfers here in Aserradores and to help more local kids get into the water and fall in love with surfing too.
Come meet me for yourself — we’ll have a great time in the lineup!
Kate - Operations Manager
Hello! I’m Kate, co-owner and Operations Manager at Sunrise Surf Nicaragua. I’m originally from Canada, but for the past six years, I’ve been lucky enough to call Nicaragua home. What started with frequent trips here eventually turned into building a life in a place I fell in love with — the culture, the people, the lifestyle and, of course, the surf.
My background is in human and children’s rights, and giving back to the community I live in has always been really important to me. Over the years, I’ve been involved in different community projects, particularly those supporting local kids and youth. With Sunrise Surf, I’m excited to continue that work while also helping create more opportunities for the next generation of local surfers.
Behind the scenes, I’m the planner and organizer of Sunrise Surf. As Operations Manager, I handle the day-to-day details, coordinate with our team and guests, and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. My goal is pretty simple: to make sure everyone who surfs with us has an amazing experience, both in and out of the water.I’m so excited to welcome you to this little corner of Nicaragua that I’m lucky enough to call home. See you at Sunrise!
Our Local Coaches
Meet some of our local surf coaches! Alongside our head coach, Chepo, Sunrise Surf works with a great group of local surfers and instructors from the surrounding area.
The coaches we work with grew up surfing these beaches and bring years of local knowledge to the water. They speak both English and Spanish and are chosen not only for their surfing ability, but for their patience, energy, and ability to make people feel comfortable in the water.
Depending on your surf level, group size, and the conditions that day, we’ll match you with the coach we think is the best fit for your session. Whether you’re catching your first wave or looking to improve your surfing, our goal is to give you a fun, safe, and personalized experience.
Most importantly, we’re proud to work with local surfers and keep surf tourism supporting the community that makes this place so special.
Our Local Filmer/Photographer - Gabriel (Gallina)
Meet Gabriel, our local photographer and videographer — although around here, most people know him as Gallina or Tip Top!
Born and raised in the area, he knows the local beaches and waves and is the best guy to have behind the camera capturing all the action.
Gabriel works with Sunrise Surf to capture photos and videos of our surf sessions, from your very first wave to those ones you’ll want proof of forever!
You’ll usually find him somewhere on the beach with his camera in hand, ready to capture the good waves, the wipeouts, and everything in between.
