http://www.dsg.cs.tcd.ie/dsg_people/afcondon/windsurf/info/corpus.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
FAQ
Here are some common questions and their answers about the Corpus Christi.
Compiled by Wilton Hart (wiltonh@windsurf.cci.tek.com)
1. What is the windsurfing season in Corpus Christi.
The following chart should help answer this question. The L stands for
the percentage of days per month that the wind reaches 15MPH somewhere out
in the bay. The H stands for the percentage of days per month that the
wind reaches 25MPH somewhere out in the bay. From my experience the
number of days that the wind reaches these numbers on shore is somewhat
less but your mileage may vary.
Percent of 15 and 25 MPH Days per Month in Corpus Christi
100-| L L L L L
| L L L L L L L L L
90-| L L L L L L L L L L L L
| L L L L L L L L L L L L
80-| L L L L L L L L L L L L
| L L L L L L L L L L L L
70-| L L LH L L L L L L L L L
| L L LH L L L L L L L L L
60-| L L LH L L L L L L L L L
| LH L LH L L L L L L L L L
50-| LH L LH L L L L L L L L L
| LH L LH L L L L L L L LH L
40-| LH LH LH LH L L L L L L LH L
| LH LH LH LH L L L L L L LH LH
30-| LH LH LH LH L L LH L L L LH LH
| LH LH LH LH LH L LH LH L L LH LH
20-| LH LH LH LH LH L LH LH L LH LH LH
| LH LH LH LH LH L LH LH LH LH LH LH
10-| LH LH LH LH LH L LH LH LH LH LH LH
| LH LH LH LH LH LH LH LH LH LH LH LH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Months
This chart was given to me by M.D. Surf 'N Skate.
2. Where can I stay?
Corpus has lots of motels/hotels which are priced quite reasonably.
The only time that you might need reservations would be Spring
Vacation.
You can camp at Bird Island. The camping is free but you must pay a
fee to get into the park. There are no showers and only porta-poties
but you can sail from your camp site.
3. Do I need a car?
You could stay at the Holiday in on the bay and not need a car. Most
people get a car so they can visit the shops and try different launch
sites.
4. Where can I rent or purchase equipment?
There are several shops that rent equipment but the two that I have
visited are as follows:
M.D. Surf 'N Skate 512-854-7873
Wind & Wave Watersports 512-937-9283
5. What equipment works best in the Corpus Christi?
You can sail long boards and short boards depending on the time of day
and the place you choose to sail. The most common board is 9' to
9' 6" salmon board. The lighter the board the more fun it will be.
6. How well do I need to sail before it will be fun?
You can sail at almost any level depending on the conditions and
place your choose to sail.
7. Where should I sail?
This is a hard question because your ability will match some sites
better than others. The following list shows some of the more common
places and what works best there.
Beginners:
----------
Bird Island Long board mornings and short
board afternoons. Good place
to learn waterstarts.
North Beach Long board with a nice sand beach
Lots of jellyfish in the summer
Intermediate:
-------------
Oleander Point Learning jibes on flat water
with some small chop when the
wind picks up.
Advanced:
---------
Ropes Jumping chop
Poenisch Start of down winders
Port Aranas Sailing in the waves
8. What things are there to do when the wind does not blow?
If the wind shuts down you can drive out to the ocean and try surfing
Try Bob Hall Pier where you can surf or just watch. It is also a good
place to fish.
Visit all the little shops in Port Aranas or on the S.P.I.D.
Visit the downtown water front where there are swimming beaches,
parks, and a museum.
9. What kind of hazards are in Corpus Christi?
There is not very much boat traffic in the bay so about the only hazard
is the jellyfish. The beach around the bay is another matter. If
you get blown down wind you may have to cross large blocks of concrete
to get onto shore.
In the past there have been some medical waste that has been found on
the beach. This problem has been noted by the mayor and they are
working on making sure that it does not happen again.
10. How can I get more information?
Many of the windsurfing magazines have done articles on Corpus Christi.
M.D. Surf 'N Skate has a travel department that can give you
more information also.
There is one person who lives in Corpus and has a net address who
is willing to answer questions. Please be considerate of his time
when asking for information. His name and email address are as
follows:
Cooper Addison cadd@tenet.edu
Here are some phone numbers that might be helpful:
National Weather Service 512-289-1861
Wind & Wave wind line 512-937-WIND