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Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

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mede
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Style: Foil, Strapless surf, Big Air
Gear: Kite:> Tomo Vader 5.1 HE & KS MariMacho board,
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Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby mede » Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:17 am

Hey all

I'll be in Houston TX for the next 2 weeks (work related), and want to use the opportunity to go kitesurfing during the weekend.

Preferably, there would be some swell and I could do some strapless surfing ;) In case the conditions are there, where should I rent the gear, and what are the best spots (within 3 h by car from Houston)?

Alternatively (little wind, no swell), it looks like there is ample flat water for foiling. I'm a proficient kitesurfer, but I never foiled, so could you point out a good school at a good location?

Thanks so much in advance,
Mathias

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Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby elguapo » Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:28 am

https://houstonkiteboarding.com/


btw,
if willing to drive 3 hrs....visit corpus christi (which is imo the single best place to kitesurf in continental united states)
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User avatar
mede
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri May 24, 2002 1:00 am
Kiting since: 2001
Weight: 72 kg dry
Local Beach: Lake Geneva
Favorite Beaches: Sri Lanka West Coast, Marsa Alam, Cape Verde, Tarifa, Beauduc, Corpus Christi, Ceara
Style: Foil, Strapless surf, Big Air
Gear: Kite:> Tomo Vader 5.1 HE & KS MariMacho board,
Gong YpraS Foils,
Pansh Kestrel, Kauper Falcon, Blade Trigger kites.
Wing:> Amos Shapes Sultan Custom board,
Gong YpraS + Ypra Surf Foils,
Gong UPE Aramid Droid & Neutra Wings
Brand Affiliation: none
Location: Sri Lanka / Switzerland
Has thanked: 87 times
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Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby mede » Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:00 am

Thanks for the heads-up on Corpus Cristi.

If that's the best place, I'll go there.
Can you point me to more resources (spots, gear etc) there?

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Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby elguapo » Sun Sep 08, 2019 12:11 pm

wildcat park is where you want to start

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... 99998&z=11

Portland (Wildcat) - Wildcat Park in Portland is one of the best spots in the Corpus Christi Area. Because of its location in the bay, it is normally the windiest spot during the prevalent SE winds. The shallow knee to waist deep sandy bottom make it a great area for learning. A large sandbar creates flat water close to shore and makes fun, knee high waves. This spot is kiter friendly and has a shower, a grassy launch, and a lunch pavillion to hang out and watch everyone ride. A local crew of kiteboarders can be found here every evening in the spring and summer. Beginners should wear booties because there are oyster shells close to shore. Prevalent SE winds are onshore so stay safe and give yourself plenty of distance from land.
North Beach - This beach is located right in front of the Lexington historical Navy ship. It's advised to stay away from the Lexington due to the wind shadows it creates. The water is deep and normally a little on the choppy side, but has some fun rollers once you get away from shore. A sandy beach provides an easy spot for launching and landing. Be careful of beachgoers and swimmers in the summertime as it can be very crowded, so be sure to stay away from the shore while riding.
McGee Beach - Be careful of the jetties near the beach, they make for a calmer swimming area but can be hard to see, especially if the tide is high. During the summertime the beach can be packed so take care when launching and also there are some jet ski riders to stay away from.
Oleander (Cole Park) - This riding area has waist to overhead water. A difficult launch off of a steep hill and a lack of a safe area downwind means that it is only suitable for advanced riders.
A&M Beach - A&M Beach is located across from Corpus Christi A&M College. A small, man-made beach area is surrounded by rock barriers. Launch off the sandy beach, walk out into the water and to the south side (towards the Naval Air Station) of the barriers. A sandy, knee to waist deep bottom is close to shore with deep water a short walk out. This spot only works during fronts that produce North West, North, North East, or East winds.
Oso Bay - A nice, flat water, and big area kite spot with a mud bottom. During some parts of the season there can be lots of seaweed which makes for tough riding. Grass launch spot near the church.
NAS Corpus Christi - Need a military ID or MWR Guest Card from the base to get access to this riding spot. Grassy launch spot and the water is shallow and sandy. Fairly flat water good on a SE wind. Experts can play in the flats to the downwind side of the first jetty.
Grassy Point / Carpets - Works on North, East, and South wind directions. To access this spot you have to drive through the Marina and there is a charge to park/launch: $4/day or $100/year. You can often find kiters and windsurfers riding here. Deeper water and the closest access to Brozil riding spot. Fresh water for rinsing off gear.
Brozil - This is not a launch, but a riding spot accessed by launching nearby at Grassy Point. Be sure to ride here with friends since it is far from the launch and also a bit of a remote spot. The entrance is narrow and the riding is the best during high tide. This is the flattest water in Corpus and has plenty of little islands to ride around and jump over. The water ranges from from several inches to several feet deep.
Packery Channel - Packery Channel provides flat water riding conditions in knee to waist deep water with a grass bottom. Booties are required because of the number of oyster shells. Do not ride in the boat channel due to the large amount of boat traffic. The best riding is across the channel from the launch area.
South Packery - South Packery is an ocean-side riding spot located on the South side of Packery Channel. The jetty can make some good waves during a strong SE wind. A large beach area is available for launching, but if the beach is crowded simply drive further down to launch. Packery Channel is a very popular spot for surfing so be sure to stay away from the surfers, swimmer, and fishermen in the area. Always launch and ride downwind of all surfers and beach users.
JP Luby - JP Luby is an ocean-side riding spot located on the North side of Packery Channel. The jetty can make some good waves during a strong SE wind. A large beach area is available for launching, but if the beach is crowded simply drive further down to launch. Packery Channel is a very popular spot for surfing so be sure to stay away from the surfers, swimmer, and fishermen in the area. Always launch and ride downwind of all surfers and beach users.
Fish Pass - Fish Pass is a good place for flat water in Corpus Christi. To access the launch a 4-wheel drive vehicle might be required depending on road conditions and after heavy rains it may be impossible to get to. There is a huge riding area created by a sand bar with knee to waist deep water and a grass bottom. Fish Pass works best during NW winds.
Tanks - This is private property so please be respectful if you ride here. There is a large area of flat and shallow water with a slippery mud/sand bottom. This spot works on any wind direction but is gustier during SE winds. Be care of the gas pipes along the road.
Port Aransas - Port Aransas is the best wave riding spot when a cold front brings strong NE winds. It is an easy beach launch and there probably won't be many beachgoers during the cold front wind conditions. A long, rock jetty provides provides flat water near the jetty and rolling waves the further away you get from it.
Local Rules and Safety Hazards:

Corpus Christi thankfully has few kiting restrictions. As always, it's good to check in with the locals at the kite spot to find out about anything to watch out for. Aside from that, it's mainly common sense: respect the place you kite, locals, and property. It's also important to keep an eye out for swimmers, surfers, and fishermen, particularly during the summer months when many vacationers are at the local beaches. The only true restriction is you can't be within 200 yards of the north side of Packery Channel Jetty on the ocean side of the island because that's the best surfing zone around.
https://kiteboarding.com/where-to-ride.asp
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User avatar
mede
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri May 24, 2002 1:00 am
Kiting since: 2001
Weight: 72 kg dry
Local Beach: Lake Geneva
Favorite Beaches: Sri Lanka West Coast, Marsa Alam, Cape Verde, Tarifa, Beauduc, Corpus Christi, Ceara
Style: Foil, Strapless surf, Big Air
Gear: Kite:> Tomo Vader 5.1 HE & KS MariMacho board,
Gong YpraS Foils,
Pansh Kestrel, Kauper Falcon, Blade Trigger kites.
Wing:> Amos Shapes Sultan Custom board,
Gong YpraS + Ypra Surf Foils,
Gong UPE Aramid Droid & Neutra Wings
Brand Affiliation: none
Location: Sri Lanka / Switzerland
Has thanked: 87 times
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Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby mede » Mon Sep 09, 2019 8:38 am

Anyone has a recommendation where to rent gear?

User avatar
mede
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri May 24, 2002 1:00 am
Kiting since: 2001
Weight: 72 kg dry
Local Beach: Lake Geneva
Favorite Beaches: Sri Lanka West Coast, Marsa Alam, Cape Verde, Tarifa, Beauduc, Corpus Christi, Ceara
Style: Foil, Strapless surf, Big Air
Gear: Kite:> Tomo Vader 5.1 HE & KS MariMacho board,
Gong YpraS Foils,
Pansh Kestrel, Kauper Falcon, Blade Trigger kites.
Wing:> Amos Shapes Sultan Custom board,
Gong YpraS + Ypra Surf Foils,
Gong UPE Aramid Droid & Neutra Wings
Brand Affiliation: none
Location: Sri Lanka / Switzerland
Has thanked: 87 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby mede » Tue Sep 17, 2019 3:02 am

Heads up: I had an absolute blast with Jeff from Kiteboarding.com who taught me how to Foil :)
Big recommendation if anyone is in Corpus Christi.
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Jetski907
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Kiteboarding TX in Jan

Postby Jetski907 » Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:56 pm

Hey guys,
I’m in San Antonio 1st week of Jan, don’t mind driving 3hrs and would like to take a day or 2 of lessons. In January is it wise to try this or should I wait until steady winds season?

Where do you recommend I go for lessons to get best conditions for a brand new beginner?

Thank.

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Re: Houston TX - where to kitesurf / rent gear

Postby Coloradokiter » Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:50 am

Jetski907
January can still be very good. Corpus is about 2 hrs or come see us on South Padre Isl. We are about 4hrs from SA.
H2OSPORTS.NET


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