Lunazul Surf School was established in 2002 by my parents, Nazario Carranza Luna and Eira Venäläinen. I think they got the idea from me falling in love with surfing back in the 80’s. They had a little clothing store in Puerto Vallarta and eventually had to shut it down. So they rented a little spot in Sayulita back when it was just a little fishing village. My parents started selling clothes in the shop, then renting boards and soon people started showing up asking to learn to surf. Lunazul evolved into a surf shop that aims to put surfing first. I became a pro surfer and eventually came back to Sayulita to run the shop. I currently train our instructors, conceptualize ideas for our merch, find designers, and think of creative ways to make Lunazul the best surf shop/ school in all of Mexico.
The photo on the banner is of my dad, who passed away on August 11th 2022. His second last name was Luna which means “moon”, and his favorite color was “Azul” which means blue. This is how Lunazul became LUNAZUL.

PAPAS

Senior Surf Instructor

Papas is the head instructor at Lunazul and has worked for Lunazul for over 20 years. He’s a professional paddle boarder, SUP National Champion, and one of the mellowest and patient humans on the planet.

Papas has a big heart and it’s no surprise everyone falls in love with his mellow vibe.

The most experienced and competent surfers in the crew who can shortboard, longboard and SUP ride in any condiiton.

Alex

Surf Instructor

Ali, as we call him, is an amazing addition to our crew of surf instructors. Relaxed, easy going, and with a passion for showing people a great time, Ali grew up in the Puerto Vallarta region and has been surfing for more than 2 decades.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish he’s an amazing surf guide and instructor who loves heading over to Punta Mita for better waves.

Lupita

Sales

Our star salesperson — you’ll find Lupita either walking through the jungle or swimming in the ocean. She’s been part of the Lunazul family for more than 12 years and brings warmth, kindness, and heart to everything she does.

Lupita loves making friends at work and has a natural gift for connecting with people. Her smile, her calm energy, and her genuine love for Sayulita make every guest feel welcome the moment they arrive.

Jean- sebastian

Surf Instructor

JS loves teaching people to surf. An experienced kite surfing instructor as well, JS could be happiest spending all day giving people surf lessons. Constantly helping us with new ideas on how to improve and give our customers a better customer experience, he usually spends the Winter’s in Sayulita and the Summer’s in Quebec.

Gio

Customer Satisfaction

Gio is the friendly face who welcomes you when you arrive to Lunazul.

Originally from Real de Catorce, she has a deep, personal connection with the ocean—a place that has always grounded her and kept her balanced. With experience in hospitality and a warmth that’s uniquely hers, she makes every visitor feel welcome from the very first moment.

Photography is one of her favorite hobbies. New to the world of surfing, she’s embracing this chapter with curiosity, good energy, and genuine enthusiasm. After overcoming a major health challenge, Gio carries a serene presence and a resilience that inspire others to appreciate the moment and connect with the ocean with confidence. 🌊

Michelle

Head of Marketing

Mich traded her life in Mexico City for one close to the ocean, where she could learn to surf and live at a slower, more intentional pace. She loves creating connections and finds inspiration in the simplicity of life, in nature, and in the Pacific itself.

She enjoys watching sunsets with her dog by her side — a daily reminder of why she chose this new life by the sea.

ARNOLDO

Board Repair

Arnoldo is in charge of fixing boards, receiving rentals and keeping the area outside the shop nice and tidy. He lives in a little town named Palmarito only 10mins away from Sayulita.

Arnoldo is a wizard with electronics fixing anything from fans to lock boxes and anything electrical in our shop.

Itzel

Surf Instructor

Itzel truly loves teaching people how to surf. She excels at working with women and children, creating a safe, encouraging space in the water. She’s happy, positive, a little cheeky, and always joking around — the kind of energy that makes every lesson more fun.

Itzel started surfing only five years ago, and it quickly became her passion and her greatest love. Originally from Guadalajara, she chose to leave the concrete behind in exchange for waves, sunshine, and life by the beach.

With Itzel, you’ll laugh, enjoy yourself, and—most importantly—learn to catch waves.

Chuy

Surf instructor.
Addicted to waves, Chuy’s favorite styles are twin fins and shortboards. Born in Rosarito, Baja California, he has surfed in several parts of the world, including France, Spain, and Portugal. He spent four years backpacking and surfing the Mexican coastline — and La Ticla remains his all-time favorite wave.

His favorite food is Mexican food, of course.
In his lessons, you’re guaranteed to have fun, laugh, and enjoy every moment in the water.