SPI in Feb/March
Brian Sangeorzan
and so the wind in the caribean might be light, and I'm wondering about
South Padre Island that time of year.
Can anyone give insight into winds and temps that time of year?
brian
Dan Weiss
Hi Brian: Check out this thread on iWindsurf. It might not be
directly on point but can connect you to people who know.
Brian Sangeorzan
Brian
"Dan Weiss" <dwu...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1ef58593-6152-4418...@p32g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
Dan Weiss
> yeah, thanks Dan. I started that thread there too.
> Brian
>
Hi Brian,
Oh yeah, uh . . . oops. I didn't make the obvious connection. I
guess the circle of knowledge has closed!
MMurphSurf
Brian- Strongly suggest Bird Island Basin. You might browse through
windlog at http://windlog.hansanderson.com/journal/murphsurf/ for lots
of historical data and the CCWA forum at
http://corpuschristiwindsurfing.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22&sid=d7801112dd2139edfadfbaa7ff6a69b0
for tropical cold front details.
In addition to BIB and the surf, there are also several places on the
bay to sail. Regular wave sailors go to Packery Channel for S/SE on/
side winds and Port Aransas on off/side N/NE winds. 2008 & 2009 were
great dring the time you plan.
Murphy
BarryWind
Are you set on SPI?
Here's some pros and cons of CC vs. SPI [BTW, I've been going down
there 1-2 times a year since '86 and grew up in San Antonio]:
SPI:
A compacted version of CC. You don't have to drive as much [unless
you're 4WD driving over to Boca Chica on a cold front] to hit all the
sailing spots.
Miles and miles of waist-deep flatwater sailing is the draw here. The
main sailing spot is even called The Flats, which is prone to [minor]
flooding on high tides. It takes a while to get used to being on a
beach with 3"-6" of water.
There is jetty-protected wavesailing, but it takes a strong SE onshore
flow and/or cold-front to have strong enough wind to make it happen.
Usually the wind in the Gulf is at least a sail size less than what it
is on the Laguna Madre [flatwater side]. Example: If you're using a
5.0 at the Flats, you'll be on a 5.7-6.0 at the Jetty.
Usually a couple degrees warmer than CC, which may or may not make it
windier.
Definitely has more a tourist trap-feel, although you can seek out the
real SPI with a bit of work.
CC:
Wider variety of sailing venues. Flatwater with tons of rental gear
[Worldwinds] at Bird Island. You can even camp at the water's edge at
BIB, which you can't do in SPI. B&J sailing at its finest in the Bay
[4-5 launch sites to choose from], Gulf [jetty protected] sailing in
either a SE onshore flow [Packery] or cold front [Port Aransas].
IMHO, on average, CC gets just a bit more wind that SPI. I think it's
the fact that winds gets funneled into CC because it sits at the
crotch of the Coastal Bend.
If you're driving down, CC is three hours less driving [one-way].
More options for value lodging in CC.
Both:
Can have fantastic wind that time of year. At both you might be
wanting a steamer or drysuit that time of year... or you could be in a
shorty. Active group of windsurfers at both locations, but CC is a bit
more organized. Check out: http://www.corpuschristiwindsurfing.com/
Hint for ANY TX coastal excursion if you're driving down: take every
toy you have in your quiver/arsenal.
Enjoy your trip, and I'll be about 6-weeks behind you [IMHO, Late Mar
thru early May is the sweetspot month for wind].
-Barry
Brian Sangeorzan
Thanks for all the detailed info. I've never been to CC or BIB and was
considering due to some travel complications.
Earlier this week, I booked Aruba. Long story, but it'll probably work out
best this year. I appreciate all the tips, as I've gotta get to SPI or CC
or BIB sometime soon.
Brian
"BarryWind" <barry...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:48847f62-ae0c-4de0...@e4g2000prn.googlegroups.com...