Went to Corpus Christi last weekend.
They have constructed a building there to replace the temporary metal containers. All the equipment is brand new and first class shortboard equipment available for rent. Sails are new, rigged and ready to go.
Business is going to be expanding to other services like condo packages for the week that includes equpment rental. I have a feeling we are going to hear more from this place in the future. Prices are very reasonable. I rented a shortboard & rig for a full day and swapped boards & sails as much as I wanted for $60.
Owners are helpful & friendly.
Oh, by the way. Winds were 25-30+ all day. I got my loops down pat. Now I just have to work on getting the rig and board to loop around with me!
FYI: Barret, I said hi to Don for you.
Patrick
Did you drive or fly down there? I have always wanted to go to Corpus, but with Hatteras so much closer (although still a long drive), it is hard to justify the extra distance.
So how does it compare to Hatteras?
In my opinion, the sailing area is better at Corpus. Specifically, everyone launches at the same area so there is a lot more interaction and companionship between people. There were 75-100 windsurfers while I was out but I never felt crowded since there was roughly 100-200 yards jibe area. For about 30 yards off shore there is a plateau where the water is ankle deep so you could just leave your equipment laying there without having to tow it in to the beach.
At Hatteras, the lodging & accomodations are better. You can't beat being able to launch out of the house to your own private beach. And with the ability to split the house cost between several people, it really lowers the cost. At Corpus, I had to drive about 15 minutes to the launch area. And if you are bringing your own equipment, this means rigging & de-rigging every day. The Canadian snowbirds spend the winter there on the beach with their motor homes so they can eliminate the drive time.
I have been working in Dallas the last two months so I was able to cut the drive time to 6 hours and spend the weekend.
Patrick
Patrick - I'm glad to hear you enjoyed sailing in Corpus. Don at Worldwinds has done a great job with his business and is getting new people into the sport. The Bird Island sailing site is wonderfully natural and open to the wind because it's a Federal wildlife refuge. There are other more challenging sailing sites in Corpus, if you bring your own gear. I hope to put a group trip together for sailing there next year.
Barrett