Corpus FAQ

Here are some common questions and their answers about the Corpus Christi. Compiled by Wilton Hart (wiltonh@-remove-hotmail.com)

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.

Where can I stay?

Corpus has lots of motels/hotels which are priced quite reasonaby. The only time that you might need reservations would be Spring Vacation. Corpus has a travel page which lists a number of the hotels. URL http://www.trip.net:80/corpuschristi/ 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.

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.

Where can I rent or purchase equipment?

  There are several shops that rent equipment but the two that I have 
  visited are as follows:

Windsurfing Hut               512-939-7685
  http://www.sccsi.com/DaHut/home.html
Wind & Wave Watersports       512-937-9283
Worldwinds                    512-939-7685  PO Box 18806 C.C TX 78480

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.

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.

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

       

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. 



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.



How can I get more information?


 Many of the windsurfing magazines have done articles on Corpus Christi.


 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