Marcel Oliviera
Co-founder and Head Coach
Unleash Your Inner Surfing Maverick
Catch the Best Waves in Costa Rica with Our Ultimate Surfing Experience
BOOK YOUR SUMMER GETAWAY TODAY, RETREATS ARE SELLING OUT FAST!
SURF WITH US
LET US HELP YOU LEARN TO SURF OR ADVANCE YOUR CURRENT SKILLS
Surf Synergy is located in Jacó Beach, a premier destination for surfers from around the globe. We are perfectly situated within some of the best surfing beaches in the world that cater to all levels from first time beginners to pro! We are a short ten-minute drive to the newly designated World Surfing Reserve, Playa Hermosa. From beach breaks to point breaks, we have your adventure covered!
Choose one of our packages or customize your own.
STAND UP PADDLEBOARD
COME PADDLE IN PARADISE WITH US
Stand Up Paddleboard or SUP is a fast growing and beloved activity as well as a competitive sport. We are so fortunate that one of Surf Synergy’s founders, Marcel Oliveira, is the Costa Rica national champion in SUP racing and SUP surfing! His depth of knowledge and years of experience are your gain! All of our SUP coaches are equally skilled and passionate paddlers! We offer a variety of SUP styles to fit your taste, from SUP racing and surfing, SUP yoga, or a more leisurely paddle to take in the beautiful scenery. Come paddle in paradise with us!
WE HELP YOU
USING VIDEO ANALYSIS TO IMPROVE YOUR SURFING
An added benefit to our surf sessions is the incredibly helpful video analysis. This technique is key to correcting bad habits and limitations by offering visual feedback to enhance body awareness and wave reading. This training tool is commonly used in collegiate and professional athletics and now is available for you!
TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
GET TO KNOW OUR COACHES
Our world class coaches are all thorough vetted and certified to assure their aptitude for skill and safety in the water.
•Name: Marcel Oliveira
-D.O.B: October 26th, 1979
Place of birth: Venezuela
•Disciplines: Shortboard, Longboard, SUP Surfing, SUP Racing, Freediving
Spearfishing, MTB
•Years surfing: 31
•Years competing: 7
•Years teaching: 13
•Countries surfed: Brazil, Combia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panamá,
Perú, México, Nicaragua, Vetezuela
•Currently living: Jacó Beach, Costa Rica
•Languages: Spanish (native), Portuguese (fluent), English (fluent)•Certifications:
-Surf Level 1 Instructor Course, ISA (International Surfing Association) w/ Gustavo
Corrales
-Surf Level 2 Coaching Course, ISA (International Surfing Association) w/ Gustavo
Corrales
-SUP Flat Water Instructor Course, ISA (International Surfing Association) w/
Gustavo Corrales
-Water Safety Course for Ss% & Sup Instructors, ISA/ILS (Intl. Surfing Association/Intl. Lifesaving -ederation) w/ Marvin «Mar-Chen» Pérez
-American Red Cross, Lifes-ding and Waterfront Skills Course w/ Instructor
Kimery Duda
-Coaching for Coaches™ by its creator, Aussie former world tour surfer, Jay «Bottle» Thompson
-Power Surf™* Coaching Method Level 1 (Speed) by its creator, Brazilian Coach Rodrigo Machado
-Power Surf™* Coaching Method Level 2 (Carving) by its creator, Brazilian Coach Rodrigo Machado
Level 1 Freediver, F..I. (Freediving Instructors International) w/ Bobby Kim
Level 2 Freediver, F.I.I. (Freediving Instructors International) w/ Bobby Kim
-Survival Apnea™ Course by Freediving Costa Rica w/ Augusto Carrara-Professional Training Seminary by Fitness University, Magno Fitness Academy &
Mind-Muscle CR
-Athlete’s Career Follow-up program, IOC (International Olympic Committee)
-Accredited member of Surf Rescue Costa Rica & Jacó Beach Municipal Lifeguards
-Outreach Program Training with Plura/Fundameco (CR) and Adaptive Surf Project
(USA)
•Sports achievements at National Levels:
-3 Times National Standup Paddle Surfing Champion (2017, 2018, 2019)
-2 Times National Standup Paddle Racing Champion (2018, 2019)
-1 Time National Longboard Surfing Champion (2018)
-Ranked #3 among 14 athletes at National Longboard Surfing ranking, year 2017
-2019 Winner of the «Puntarenas Nautic Fest», Puntarenas, SUP Race Open Division
-2018 Winner of the «Paddle Battle» Las Catalinas 8th edition, SUP Race Elite
Division
-2019 Runner-up of the «Paddle Battle» Las Catalinas, 9th edition, SUP Race Elite Division
-2019 Winner of the «Remad – Rosa» Herradura Bay, 3rd edition, SUP Race Elite
2020 Runner up of the Pada, & Run’ Herradura Bay, Irt edition, SUP Race Open
Division
-2020 Winner of the «O Pacifico Paddle Challenge* 1st edition, SUP Race Elite
Division
•Sports achievements at International Levels:
-National Team for Central American Games, Nicarágua 2017
-National Team for Pan American Claro Games, Perú 2018
-National Team for ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship, El Salvador 2019
-Ranked #22 among 44 athletes in the SUP Surf Division at the ISA SUP Worlds, EI
Salvador 2019
-2019 Winner of the «Paddle Like a Pro» 2nd edition, Sup Race Open Division, Panamá
-2019 Runner-up of the «Paddle Like a Pro» 2nd edition, Outrigger Canoe Open Division, Panamá
-2019 Runner-up of the «Paddle Like a Pro» 3rd edition, SUP Race Open Division, Panamá
-Winner of «Chasing the Pearl Islands» 1st edition, SUP Long Distance Division 40km,
Panamá
-SUP Race Champion of the Central American surf games, Nicaragua 2021
-SUP Race Runner-Up or the Latin American Surf Fest, Guatemala 2021•Additional experience:
-Worked as a surf Instructor and surf guide at Hotel Las Olas, Playa Hermosa, year
2005
-Produced a surf movie named PacifiCALL along friends Mike Cruden & Jose Porras, year 2006
-Worked for over 5 years as a surf instructor at Del Mar Surf Camp, one of Costa Rica’s first and best surf adventures companies, owned by local surfer & entrepreneur Maria Del Mar Alfaro
-Worked with fellow coach Michael Gutierrez at one of the most consistent companies in the area, Tortuga Surf Camp, helping them with group surf lessons and running some of their SUP Tours
-Worked with big groups as a head surf instructor for Waves Costa Rica, a great surf adventure company owned by former Costa Rican Surfing Champion and Surfing Coach Andrea Diaz
-Worked with the Costa Rican Adaptive Surfing Team and helped Natalia Vindas prepare for the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship at La Jolla, CA, where she attained the bronze medal.
-Have presented SUP clinics long fellow SUP tour operators «SUPHERR» in
Herradura Bay.
-Trained SUP instructors at Devafio Adventure & CR Paddleboard, both tour agencies, La Fortuna.
-SUP Flat Water ISA Course co-presenter along with mentor and, main presenter
Gustavo Corrales
-Worked with the National Institute of Sports & Recreation and National Surfing Federation at an event called «Verano ICODER*, teaching surf lessons to benefit communities and foment the sport
•Personal Quote:
*I am grateful for being immersed in this never-ending learning process of surfing and personal development, happy to be part of the synergy and to be able to share it with other people.»
•Name: David Sánchez Solano
•Date of birth: June 25th, 1975
•Country: Costa Rica
•Disciplines: Shortboard & Sup Surf
•Years surfing: 26
•Years competing: 7 years in total
•Years teaching: 20
•Countries Surfed: Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, EI Salvador.
•Languages: Spanish (native) English (fluent)
•Certifications:
-Surf Level 1 Instructor Course, ISA (International Surfing Association) w/ Gustavo
Corrales
-Jacó Beach Lifeguards Water Rescue and CPR
-American Red Cross, Lifeguarding and Waterfront Skills Course w/ Instructor Kimery Duda
•Sports Achievements:
-2009 4th Place Overall National Circuit (FSC) Open Semifinals, Playa Jacó
-2014 1st Place at Masters contest (Backyard Playa Hermosa)
-2015 3rd Place on the Masters Division contest (FSC) Santa Teresa Beach
-2015 4th Place, National Circuit, SUP Surf Division
-2018 5th Place, Overall National Ranking, SUP Surf Division
•Additional Experience:
-Started competing in 2004 at local contests like the ones at The Backyard &
•Terrazas del Pacifico
-Surf Videographer for the 2009 World Surfing Games, held by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the Surfing Federation of Costa Rica
•Personal Quote:
«Free surfing is one of my favorite ings to do, sharing waves with friends and traveling to incredible places it’s hat fulfills me the most and the reason why I fell in love with the sport. The Ocean he given me so much, to the point where I try to spend lots of time in it, whether I’m surfing with my shortboard or SUP, teaching or swimming, my goal is to learn more and become a better water man!»
•Name: Darshan Antequera
•D.O.B: February 8th, 2003
•Country: Costa Rica
•Disciplines: Shortboard
•Years Surfing: 12
•Years Competing: 8
•Years Teaching: 4
•Currently living: Jacó Beach, Costa Rica
•Languages: Spanish (Native), English (Fluent)•Certifications:
-Jacó Beach Lifeguards Water Safety & Rescue Course
-International Surfing Association (ISA) Judging Course
•National sports achievements:
-Made the Costa Rica national team 2022, to compete in the ISA world surfing games
•
-2022 Winner of the ACOS «Roca Loca Pro» surfing competition, Open Division
-2019 National Champion, Costa Rican Surfing Association (ACOS), Open Division
-2019 National Champion, Costa Rican Surfing Association (ACOS), Junior Division
-2019 National Runner-up, Costa Rican Surfing Association (ACOS), Under 16
Division
-2019 Winner of the ACOS «Roca Loca Pro» big wave tournament, Open Division
-2019 Winner of the ACOS «Roca Loca Pro» big wave tournament, Junior Division
-2019 Winner of the «Marley Cup», Costa Rican Surfing Federation (FSC), Under 16
Division
•
-2018 Winner of the «Reef’s Great Final», Costa Rican Surfing Federation (FSC).
Under 16 Division
•International sports achievements:
-3rd on the 2022 ALAS Pumta Roca Pro in Perú( continental surfing tour)
-3rd on the 2022 ALAS PRO in Jaco, Costa Rica ( continental surfing tour)
-5th on the 2022 Barbados surf pro WSL, 21 and under division
-13th on the 2022 SLO open morro bay wqs (wl), among 98 of the best surfers in North America-2021 Central American Junior Champion
-4th on the overall ALAS Latin tour rankings 2021 Junior division
-17th on 2021 the Jacks Pro wqs (wl), among 128 of the best surfers in Noth américa
-Ranked 25th among 200 athletes at 2019 ISA (International Surfing Association)
Junior Worlds in Huntington Beach, Under 16 Division
-Runner-up at third Stop of the 2019 Hawaii Surfing Association (HSA) calendar in
Sunset Beach, Under 16 division
Y
3rd Place at Huntington Beach 2019, National Scholastic Sunfig Association
(NSSA) calendar, Under 16 Division.
-Spent 2 seasons in Hawaii and several months in California training and competing as part of his personal preparation.
•Additional Experience:
-Trained and followed athletic preparation processes along world-class surfing coaches such as Adam Dufner, Diego Naranjo, Geancarlo Loria, Gustavo Corrales, Jim Hogan and Wade Sharp.
•Name: Beth Alfonso
•D.O.B: April 27th, 1988
•Place of birth: Dominican Republic
•Disciplines: Longboard, Hatha Yoga
•Years surfing: 9
•Years teaching: 7
-Countries surfed: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA
•Currently living: Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
•Languages: Spanish (Native), English (Fluent)•Certifications:
-Flat Water SUP Instructor Course, ISA (International Surfing Association)
-Surf Level 1 Instructor Course, ISA (International Surfing Association)
-Life Guard Training, Caribbean Lifesaving Society – Canadian Embassy
-American Heart Association Heartsaver w/ CPC & AED Course, CA
-Hatha Yoga Teachers Training, 500hrs, Sivananda Yoga Farm, CA
•Sports Achievements:
4th place at 2015 *Kings of the North Shore». Cabarete, Dominican Endblic.
Longboard Division
-3rd place at 2017 «Encuentro Classic*. Encuentro Beach, Dominican Republic Longboard Division.
-1st at «All Girls Contest* – Jacó Laguna, Longboard Division
•Additional Experience:
-Owned & Ran «Aloha Surf-Yoga-SUP School» at Punta Cana (2013-2017)
•Name: Daniel Alvarez
•Name: Aarón Manuel Ramírez Mota
•D.O.B: April 1st, 2003
•Country: Costa Rica
•Disciplines: Shortboard Surf,
•Years Surfing: 9
•Years Competing: 8
•Years Teaching: 3
•Countries Surfed: Barbádos, Costa Rica, El Salvador, México, USA
•Currently living: Jacó Beach, Costa Rica
•Languages: Spanish n Native), English (fluent)•National sports achievements:
-2018 National Champion, Costa Rican Surfing Federation, Under 16 Division
-2019 National Runner-up, Costa Rican Surfing Federation, Under 18 Division
•International sports achievements
-2019 Ranked 17th among 200 athletes in the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, Huntigton Beach, CA
-2018 1st place at the Rip Curl Grom Search in New Smyrna Beach, FL
•Additional Experience:
-Trained and followed preparation processes along world-class surfing coaches such as Adam Dufner, Diego Naranjo, Geancarlo Loria, Gustavo Corrales, Jim Hogan and Wade Sharp.
-Studying Software Engineering in the university UNED, serving at Radical Church in
Jacó
•Name: Nataly Bernold
•D.O.B: February 11, 1993
•Country: Costa Rica
•Disciplines: Shortboard
•Years Surfing: 18
•Years Competing: 12
•Years Teaching: 8
•Countries Surfed: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Hawaii, Panamá, USA, Perú, Portugal
•Currently living: Jacó Beach
•Languages: Spanish (native), English (fluent)
Certifications
-Cardio Pulmonar Resuscitation and Basic First Aid imparted by Integrated Safety
Systems
•National sports achievements
-3 Times National Surfing Champion, Junior Division
-3 Times National Surfing Champion, Open Division
•International sports achievements
-3 times Central American Champion, Open Division
-Alas Latin Tour Costa Rica Open (2007, 2011, 2013)
-6th Place at 2008 I.S.A. (International Surfing Association) World Surfing Games, Portugal, Open Division
•Additional Experience
-Worked for over 2 years as a surf instructor at Del Mar Surf Camp, one of Costa Rica’s first and best surf adventures companies, owned by local surfer & entrepreneur Maria Del Mar Alfaro
ENJOY YOUR ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
BUILD YOUR RETREAT TODAY
Signing up for a surf retreat at a resort in Costa Rica is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the world of surfing while enjoying a luxurious getaway. With warm waters and consistent waves, Costa Rica is a premier surf destination and the perfect place to learn or improve your surfing skills. A surf retreat provides the opportunity to receive expert coaching and guidance from experienced instructors who will tailor lessons to your skill level. You’ll also have access to top-of-the-line surf equipment and facilities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
CREATING PERFECT WELLNESS & SURF EXPERIENCES
SURF SYNERGY IS A WORLD-CLASS RESORT
SURF COACHING FOR ALL LEVELS
Whether you're a complete beginner or a veteran surfer looking to improve your skills, our surf coaching program will help you progress. Our world-class coaches communicate fundamental through expert surf techniques clearly and intuitively.
LUXURY SURF RETREAT
Located in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, Surf Synergy offers a luxurious experience for the discerning traveler. With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and lush rainforests, guests can relax in stunning natural surroundings while enjoying world-class amenities.
CUSTOMIZED DIET AND NUTRITION
Surf Synergy guests can indulge in a wide range of culinary experiences while staying with us. Whatever your taste or dietary requirements, our gourmet culinary team will provide you a menu sure to delight your senses and meet all your dietary needs.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
We grow our own food, and what we don't grow, we try to source locally from Costa Rica. We value stewardship of the ocean and all of nature around us, and pass that on through sustainable business practices like on-site permaculture, ecological and social community work, and sustainability partnerships.
FIND YOUR LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE
EXPLORE OUR OFFERINGS
SURFING LESSONS & TRAINING
STAND UP PADDLEBOARD
YOGA, FITNESS, BODY WELLNESS
BODY WORK & ACTIVITIES
FOOD, ENERGY, NUTRITION
ICE BATH & BREATHWORK
WE WANT YOU TO LOVE YOUR EXPERIENCE
SEE WHAT SOME OF OUR GUESTS HAVE TO SAY:
"I enjoyed one of the best vacations of my life. Surf Synergy is an incredibly special place, filled with sensational staff, who all want to ensure you have the best time ever."
Mark J
Date of stay: April 2023
There is so much more I could write but it's best you just go ahead and book your trip, there is no better present (and investment in your personal health) you can give yourself/your family!
Bailey S
Date of stay: August 2022
I love coming to surf synergy. It’s a unique and amazing experience every time. I would recommend to literally everyone I know and strangers on the street. I feel like I grow as a surfer and person every time I’m here.
Julia D
Date of stay: April 2023
