SPI in January

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Hi,

Was thinking about spending January in SPI as opposed to La Ventana because it is a bit more accessible and I thought that the internet and phone would be better for work than La Ventana but have heard that January might not be worth the trip. It's all relative so...on average, what are the winds, temperature and skies like in January?

Thanks,

Paul

tonyb · Thu Aug 04, 11 8:15 pm

January is iffy in SPI. In fact we usually go to La Ventana for the Classic and warmer weather.

Internet and cell phone coverage is much better in SPI and the northerlies can bring in some nice wave sessions but it can also be pretty chilly. We had ice on the palm trees this year.

The wind will be blowing and you can get some great sessions but bring a 4/3 full suit and some gloves because it can get down to 45 degrees. Or it can be 3/2 shorty weather.

Overall January in SPI is more variable than LV and more likely to have a week or more of pretty chilly weather.

Tony

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Hey Tony,

Thanks for all the 411. I don't mind cold. BUT, is there wind and some peeps around? If the wind sucks, different story.

Thanks,

JP

tonyb · Thu Aug 04, 11 8:27 pm

There will be wind. Average 4 days per week in January, 5 in Feb and March. With the odd 5 day stretch of no wind here and there but then it will blow for 7 days straight.

One thing about SPI is to have a full quiver. You can be on a 14m one day and a 6m the next.

There is a core group of about 10 to 20 kiters around all year. Always someone to run a down winder with when the waves are in.

Tony

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Thanks Tony. Always appreciate the SPI 411 from you. Trying to live your lifestyle! Call me crazy (but I am an addicted kiter) but I think SPI in January will superceed a drysuit, booties, gloves, squid lid by myself out at Rosey in January. After all is said and done, I may just do LV but SPI seems like it may work. As it gets closer, I'll connect for a downwinder and a bevarage with you.

JP

shred_da_gorge · Thu Aug 04, 11 9:38 pm

I bought a season pass at Meadows one year (ironically around the time "Day After Tomorrow" came out). Come late December it was still green on the slopes. I said fuck it and flew to Padre to windsurf with my buddy over the holidays. We spent a weekend sailing in steady, warm, 25 MPH southerlies, then as he left for Houston the wind turned north. Within a few days it had cranked up to 45 MPH and dumped 5" of snow! "First time in years" the locals said - turned out it was reportedly the first time since the 1800's.

To this day my friends still give me shit for being a weather jinx.

Good luck in January!

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

LOL!! Hard to belive something so south could do that shit! If I go it'll happen to me too. Belive me. Viva Mexico!

JP

tonyb · Sat Aug 06, 11 10:14 am

Definately check in with us if you get to SPI. Sometimes we have lots of time for wave sessions, other times we're busy paying the bills but always like to say hi.

Found this handy graph on the wind stats for SPI. Basicaly shows that there were 20 ride-able days in January where the wind speed for the day averaged more than 15 mph during daylight hours.

The wind data on ikitesurf is improving and getting easier to get meaningful info out of. The forecast models for SPI are usually pretty accurate.

Tony

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Also, thinking of kiting my way down from Corpus to SPI. Where are the good kite spots in Corpus and between?

Thanks,

Paul

surfboy1968 · Since 17 Jun 2008 222 Posts south padre island Stoked

[quote="SpaceRacer"]Also, thinking of kiting my way down from Corpus to SPI. Where are the good kite spots in Corpus and between?

Thanks,

You can check with Jerry and Magie from Brokite boards in Corpus. They did a downwinder from SPI to Corpus after the Kite roundup couple of years ago...There is not much in between CC and SPI......Needs to be well planned . Break down out there and your pretty much screwed.....chase boat probably needed for sure.