OUR STORY

who we are

Coco's Surf House creates a fully-catered, week-long holiday so you can improve your surf game, chill out from the everyday, and hang out all with an epic group of likeminded people from all over the world. 

We inspire a sense of adventure, passion for life, and an appreciation for genuine human connection through a shared love for surfing and the laid back lifestyle that comes with it. Coco’s Surf House’s mission is to give you a week of stress-free fun, with surfing as the driver behind what we do. 

Come for some good old-fashioned fun and epic surf. No forced fun, no rigid schedules, no group circles, no mandatory soul searching, no vision boarding, just guys and gals coming together to get to know each other, surf, laugh, and enjoy the playful side of life.

meet the team

Amélina Fenoillet
Yoga Instructor

With years of experience in both restorative yoga and Thai massage, Amélina will lead our daily yoga sessions. An avid surfer herself, she focuses on balance, strength, and flexibility, with a heavy movement and mobility in the water. Amelina keeps surfing and surf mobility top of mind surfing her classes. No two classes are the same and she will adjust her style based on the energy the group brings. 

You can find Amélina convincing Armando to give her a little push in the water

Armando Perez
Surf Coach

Armando grew up surfing in Santa Teresa and there’s no one better to help you improve your surf skills. Whether you’re a first time surfer or here to practice, Armando and his team will give you expert coaching in and out of the water. 

You can find Armando surfing 3 waves by the time you make it back to the lineup, and telling Amélina to paddle harder.

Adrian Cascante
Head Chef

Adrian Using only the best and freshest local ingredients, Chef Adrian prepares Costa Rican style dishes packed with nutrients that will have you coming back for thirds. He cooks with passion and he loves recommendations! 

When he’s not buying fresh eggs straight outta the chicken at 6am (only the best for you), he’s levelling up his surf game every chance he gets.

Nancy Karches
Your hostess with the mostess.

Nancy lives in London, and escapes to Santa Teresa for a few months of the year to scratch her surfing itch.

When she’s not constantly applying sunblock, you can find her surfing sunrise and sunset on her blue board with the green fins. 

Why we created
Coco’s Surf House

Like many others in 2020, I was stuck in an apartment in New York City working in a corporate job. Life felt stale, and I wanted to shake it up. I booked a month-long solo trip to Santa Teresa, with the goal of learning to surf again while working remotely.

Days were spent with a new group of friends, surfing before and after work and never missing a sunset. There were weekend BBQs and weeknight family style dinners.

There’s something about Santa Teresa–a magnetic energy that draws you in. Here, time slows down. People smile at you on the street and a stranger one minute is a friend the next. You wake up at sunrise to surf without the need for an alarm clock. 

My month there taught me a new way to live. To say yes to adventure and spontaneity and to welcome new friendships into my life. To put the phone down and actually experience the moment, because that's all we have.

I officially caught the surf bug and adopted a Costa Rican dog, Coco, who enjoys digging on the beach while I’m out in the water. 

In 2024, I began hosting surf and yoga trips–taking the experience that had such a profound impact on me, and recreating it for others, while also supporting the beautiful and hard-working local community that makes Santa Teresa what it is. Come as you are and be ready to take on the swell!

Pura vida, Nancy

Drop in and hang with our crew for a week!

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