El Salvador vs Costa Rica vs Nicaragua for Learning to Surf
September 28, 2026
If you are choosing where to learn to surf in Central America, you are almost certainly weighing up the same three countries everybody weighs up. I
Meet Pixie
Surf coach, ISA certified, 17 years surf coaching and 24 years in the water.
Meet Pixie
Hi, I ‘m Pixie.
I got the name from my local surfing buddies here in El Salvador, and as you will quickly learn, every surfer here has a nickname for each other.
I have been surfing for about 24 years and coaching for 17 of them. Surf coaching was a natural transition from my past life. Before El Salvador I spent 10 years in Indonesia working as a PADI scuba diving instructor, and I landed a job as the resident dive instructor at a remote surf resort in Lombok. In my downtime I started giving coaching tips to the more novice surfers staying there, and I realised I loved it.
Years Surf Coaching
17
+
Qualifications
Coaching you can trust in the water
Before the tourism boom here I used to head back to the colder water of England to coach and complete my certifications. I am now a fully qualified ISA Surf Coach and NVBLQ Beach Lifeguard, and water safety is part of every session I run.
ISA Certified Surf Coach
Qualified through the International Surfing Association, with 17 years of surf coaching behind her.
Beach Lifeguard Qualified
UK Beach Lifeguard (NVBLQ). Water safety is part of every session.
Former PADI Dive Instructor
Ten years teaching scuba in Indonesia before coaching surf full time.
My Philosophy
I started surfing simply because of my passion for the ocean. I loved how free it made me feel, the adrenaline of catching a wave, the pure magic of gliding on water. Surfing became a place where I had to face and conquer my fears while connecting with a powerful, beautiful element of nature.
The way I coach is about your individual relationship with the ocean. I do not care much about pros or competitions. To me surfing is holistic: a space to challenge yourself, understand the water, and learn to dance with her and feel the joy, rather than focusing on wanting to be the best.
Overcoming the intimidation of the lineup
When I started 20 years ago the sport was heavily male dominated and the lineup could be unfriendly to women. I lived through those exact struggles, so I understand what it feels like to be a beginner and I know how to help you past it.
A holistic journey with the sea
Surfing brings out a lot of emotions and that is what makes it rewarding. You are not just learning a skill, you learn a lot about yourself. Even the wipeouts, and we all fall constantly, teach us something and keep us humble.
Shortening the learning curve
Teaching yourself to surf is a frustratingly long, steep curve. I can teach you in weeks what took me years to work out alone, and send you home with the tools to keep improving.
Grounded in the local community
An authentic week in the country I love
To make sure we support the local community I use Salvadoran-owned accommodation, eat at local restaurants, and hire local assistant coaches, masseuses and drivers.
These retreats are a deeply personal thing for me. They are a way to share my life and my community with you. I hope you can join me to improve your surfing, or catch your very first wave, and fall in love with El Salvador at the same time.
Years Surfing
24
Years Surf Coaching
+
17
Years in El Salvador
13
Questions women ask before they book
The things women email me about before booking. If yours is not here, message me on WhatsApp and I will answer it myself.
Yes, and it is the question I get asked most. Despite the reputation the country used to have, I personally never felt in danger, even in the early days. When the government cleaned up the gang activity it transformed the country into a safe paradise for local people and international visitors alike. I have lived here for 13 years and I am an official resident. You will be with me and my local team the entire week.
I found the waves here 13 years ago and fell instantly in love with them and with the people, so I set up home. With so many different breaks catering to every level, it was an absolute dream, not just for my own surfing but as a coach. Back then a handful of expats and a few local surfers had this entire surfing mecca to ourselves.
No. The Beginner Retreat is built for women who have never surfed or have only played in the white water. By the end of the week the goal is to have you catching unbroken green waves on your own.
When I started out over 20 years ago the sport was heavily male dominated and the lineup could be unfriendly to women. It has improved a lot, but as a beginner it can still feel intimidating out there. A small group of women learning together takes that pressure away entirely. We share the stoke with each other and nothing beats that feeling. I have made lifelong friendships with students in the water.
Never more than four guests, with two students per coach at most, so the coaching stays personal.
That is normal and I understand it, because I lived through those exact struggles myself. Water safety is part of every session, I am a qualified beach lifeguard, and we work on reading rips and currents from day one. Even the wipeouts teach you something and keep you humble.
Salvadoran-owned accommodation, and we eat at local restaurants. I also hire local assistant coaches, masseuses and drivers. It was heartbreaking to see the economic struggles here during the years when the gangs held their grip on the country, so now I am proud to share the wealth and showcase the hospitality and culture of the people here.
Faster than on your own. Teaching yourself to surf is a frustratingly long, steep learning curve. I can teach you in weeks what took me years to work out alone. You still have to put in the hours of trial and error, but you go home with the exact tools to keep improving.
Neither. I do not care much about pros or competitions. To me surfing is holistic, a space to challenge yourself, understand the water and learn to dance with her and feel the joy, rather than focusing on wanting to be the best. You are not just learning a skill, you learn a lot about yourself at the same time.
You would not be the first. I have battled depression and anxiety over the years, and the ocean, through both diving and surfing, has been my refuge. What is more magical than gliding on water? I want to share that with my students, and I believe anyone should be able to access it.
Ten coached surf sessions, two a day at whichever break is working best, photo and video analysis with a sit-down review, a mid-week massage with Sandra and her crew, yoga at the villa, and airport transfers from San Salvador.
Message me on WhatsApp at +503 6074 9154 or on Instagram at @pixiesurf with your dates and your level. I answer myself, usually the same day. Every retreat week is $2,100, all-inclusive, paid by bank transfer.
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