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