Before Lunazul became a surf school, my parents owned a small clothing store in Puerto Vallarta. When that chapter closed, they moved to Sayulita and opened a modest shop selling clothes and renting surfboards. Soon enough, people began asking for lessons and Lunazul naturally evolved into a surf school.

Founded officially in 2002 by Nazario Carranza Luna and Eira Venäläinen, Lunazul was built with a deep love for the ocean and a commitment to keeping surfing at the center of everything we do.

I grew up in the water, became a professional surfer, and eventually returned to Sayulita to lead the school. Today, I train our instructors, develop ideas for our merch, and focus on growing Lunazul while honoring its roots.

The name Lunazul carries my father’s spirit… Luna means “moon,” and azul was his favorite color. It’s our way of carrying him with us, every day.

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. 🌊

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.

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.