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SpaceRacer
Since 04 Nov 2007
434 Posts
Obsessed
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 Wed Sep 14, 11 1:33 pm Corpus vs SPI |
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What are the pros and cons of both?
Thank you,
Paul
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EP28
Since 29 Jul 2011
3 Posts
Kook
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| Wed Sep 14, 11 2:01 pm |
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| I'm interested in this question too. I have family in Corpus and wll be down there over Thanksgiving. What are the conditions like in Corpus and/or SPI in late November?
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lks
Since 06 Nov 2007
117 Posts
Anchorage, Alaska
Stoked
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| Wed Sep 14, 11 2:10 pm Corpus has shells . . . |
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. . . that will shred your feet to ribbons, SPI does not.
SPI has Air Padre Kiteboarding; Corpus does not.
I'd go with SPI.
LKS
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1surfer
Since 20 Apr 2010
355 Posts
'Ualapu'e / High Rockies
Obsessed
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| Wed Sep 14, 11 4:29 pm Re: Corpus has shells . . . |
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| lks wrote: | . . . that will shred your feet to ribbons, SPI does not.
SPI has Air Padre Kiteboarding; Corpus does not.
I'd go with SPI.
LKS |
The food is cheaper in SPI, wind is more consistent. SPI is farther from TEXAS ......
_________________
Ozone Reo's. C&k Beach Boy Service, Windsurfing Waikiki, Hawaiian Windriders, NSRN. |
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Thu Sep 15, 11 5:04 am |
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Corpus has some great spots that the locals know and more locations than SPI but they are very spread out. When you're out on Mustang or Padre Island it's pretty nice but I don't enjoy the vibe on the mainland as much. Back bay water is a little smelly. Kiting at the park event/site area is only so/so. Downtown Corpus and the surrounding areas aren't very nice.
SPI seems to be a little more consistent with wind. There was one winter we were in SPI and the kids were in Corpus and we were kiting a lot more often than they were.
November in SPI is usually really nice. It's still warm, the wind blows 5 out of 7 days, waves are good, a nice crowd of kiters are in town and the prices for hotels and restaurants are at their lowest of the year. Nice little beach town where you can walk around safely all the time.
Tony
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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| Thu Sep 15, 11 5:37 am |
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As Tony said the spots in Corpus are really spread out. Its a hike from downtown corpus to laguna madre (lollas, packery channel) and north padre island (Port A, JP Luby). There are plenty of spots to ride right in the chop in the bay (wildcat).
I live in Austin so its my default spot by proximity, but SPI has a cooler feel to it and is a bit easier on the eyes.
When we have a long weekend and the wife wants to go to the coast we always defer to SPI.
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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| Fri Sep 16, 11 2:14 pm |
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Yup. TonyB is correct. I went & explored there. Corpus launches spread out & oyster beds, broken glass etc. The ocean was Okay & you can park your RV on the beach & use your hitch to launch & land - but smelly/dirty water..
SPI is a better place for various reasons. Great wind & water, better vibe & can do downwinders ocean side as well as big open bay spread out riding. Great to practice tricks. The downside of SPI to me is that it really lacks culture & the restaurants are sub-par. Bummer that "Naturally's" went out of business. Cheap to stay there though. The Super 8 is good enough.
I'd go to Hatteras over SPI for Fall Sessions. Buck up & stay at Real or Waves Village. You won't regret it. They have everything you could want. Fly into Norfolk & rent a cheapy meep meep car. Stop at Morris Farms on the way & pick up amazing peanut butter, juice & produce.
M.
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Be kind to Kooks |
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FunShui
Since 16 Jul 2006
146 Posts
Really, really
Stoked
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 8:02 am |
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| Quote: | | I'd go to Hatteras over SPI for Fall Sessions. Buck up & stay at Real or Waves Village. |
No doubt, Fall in Hatteras can be epic but you'll have to wait a few weeks at least as Hwy 12 is not open. Too bad, because the tropical storms have been bringing great swell there.The highway is breached at the S curves right above Rodanthe.
Even the REAL store is only open by reservations right now.
A friend of mine that has a place in Frisco is still trying to get down there from Portsmouth.
For those of you considering Hatteras in the next month or so, here is the official beta from NC DOT http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/nc12recovery/
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Surfing is to keep the truly gifted from ruling the world. |
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SpaceRacer
Since 04 Nov 2007
434 Posts
Obsessed
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 8:53 am |
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What are the best months for Hatteras? If I had to guess I would say May, April, March, November, October in descending order.
JP
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 9:13 am |
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HWY 12 is closed to tourists, not residents. There are Ferrys daily now. The dates for re-open is Sept 29th. That could be pushed. Hatteras could really use the kite community support by going there. Their economy has suffered greatly. I've been keeping in touch with a few locals & it's been tough for many.
You can kite Hatteras year round and the Fall is suppose to be the most optimal. I kited 9 out of 13 days last spring. The best kite experience I ever had. I felt safe, tons of room to work on stuff & the local riders/instructors/pro's who work for REAL & Kittyhawk were helpful, kind & courtious. No attitude whatsoever.
I'm not trying to take away from SPI. It's a great place to kite. Either way, you will have a great time.
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Be kind to Kooks |
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FunShui
Since 16 Jul 2006
146 Posts
Really, really
Stoked
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 10:31 am |
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| Quote: | | HWY 12 is closed to tourists, not residents. |
I agree that they need our support. I was going to go this month but will likely wait until October to decide. I'm really glad I didn't pull the trigger on my plan to go there right before Irene! I am still deciding between SPI, Hatteras, Maui for mid-October to November.
Even residents below the Hwy 12 breach need to take the ferry to get home and due to NE wind/low tides had to cancel ferries as of yesterday https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/pio/releases/details.aspx?r=5488
This from NCDOT yesterday:
N.C. 12 RECOVERY PROJECT UPDATE FOR SEPT. 16 Friday, September 16, 2011
RALEIGH – While N.C. 12 south of Nags Head remains closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Irene last month, NCDOT continues to make progress fixing the breaches and areas of over wash in order to improve and reopen the highway.
At the Rodanthe breach area, crews continue to stockpile sand for dune reconstruction and fill sandbags. A total of 2,250 dump truck loads of sand have been hauled in so far to fill the areas of roadway that were damaged.
At the temporary bridge location on Pea Island, crews continued to drive piles at the north. Crews also continued to preassemble and sort temporary bridge components. The framework was put into place for the footings at the locations where the pilings were driven Wednesday. Crews moved equipment and materials, including three loads of sheet piles, from the north end of the breach to the south end to begin pile driving. If the weather permits, crews will begin installing temporary supports tonight.
Temporary Bridge Facts:
•Piling: 29 piles driven out of 82 total piles.
•Sheet Piling Bulkhead: 374 linear feet out of 1,096 total linear feet.
•Concrete Footings: 2 footings poured out of 12 total footings.
NCDOT estimates that the roadway could be fully reopened sometime in early October depending on weather conditions between now and then.
In an effort to keep residents and motorists informed about N.C. 12, NCDOT has launched an N.C. 12 recovery website and Twitter feed. To see photos of the work, please visit NCDOT’s Flickr page.
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| Hwy 12 at S Curves |
Hwy12construction.jpg |
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Surfing is to keep the truly gifted from ruling the world. |
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1surfer
Since 20 Apr 2010
355 Posts
'Ualapu'e / High Rockies
Obsessed
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 3:07 pm Hat |
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I know the people of Hat need support, however,
I personally hate the east coast and everything about it and would never ever go there unless I got paid to do so. ( just my opinion, no disrespect intended )
SPI is jus the best place to learn.
_________________
Ozone Reo's. C&k Beach Boy Service, Windsurfing Waikiki, Hawaiian Windriders, NSRN. |
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 4:43 pm |
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That's pretty harsh. Not all people are the same. PLUS - most tourists are not there Spring & Fall anyway. There are things here that aren't so pretty either...like self-centered entitlement attitudes or people who are your "friends" only when they need you for something. But not everyone is like that. Just some. There is a saying about Texans also...the nicest people...to your face. It's not exclusive to the East Coast. I'm not going to allow a few people with shitty attitudes to prevent me from having a great kite day.
SPI is a great place to learn, Hatty Town is also.
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Be kind to Kooks |
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1surfer
Since 20 Apr 2010
355 Posts
'Ualapu'e / High Rockies
Obsessed
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| Sat Sep 17, 11 8:19 pm E v W |
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| melokitegirl wrote: | That's pretty harsh. Not all people are the same. PLUS - most tourists are not there Spring & Fall anyway. There are things here that aren't so pretty either...like self-centered entitlement attitudes or people who are your "friends" only when they need you for something. But not everyone is like that. Just some. There is a saying about Texans also...the nicest people...to your face. It's not exclusive to the East Coast. I'm not going to allow a few people with shitty attitudes to prevent me from having a great kite day.
SPI is a great place to learn, Hatty Town is also. |
I do understand why people like it. I also dont suggest that people need to feel like I do. Texans biggest sin that that they are overly proud of their bigger than life state. The East and South have a whole different thing going that makes me not want to be there. There are still people there who fly the confederate war flag with great pride. To me, thats so offensive I will never spend any of my money there, not to mention that its just not acceptable. I own a house on the water in Jupiter Florida and I wont go there either. Florida just freaks me out. But thats just me.
I think that where people choose to spend their money should be a big part of the decision, not just the destination.
After spending time in the South and East, I swore that I would never give Texans a hard time again, ever. I embrace Texas and Texans.
I just think SPI is the best place in the world to learn, but I do understand why many people love hat. Im sure its a great place to learn too.
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Ozone Reo's. C&k Beach Boy Service, Windsurfing Waikiki, Hawaiian Windriders, NSRN. |
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carolb
Since 04 Nov 2006
590 Posts
Stevenson, WA in the summer, SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Sun Sep 18, 11 6:38 am Hatterus vs. SPI |
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We're doing the BEST RV tour and heading to Hatterus and SPI. both are great for kiting but it just depends when you go. Oct is good for hatterus and SPI doesn't blow as steady until Nov - June. Her's my comparison.
Resturants - five every block in SPI and open late. Hatt- seems like five total spread put over serveral miles and closed by the you get off the water so plan on giving up a late sesh if you want to go out to for dinner. Basically eat in.
Liquor store - 1 every 5 blocks in SPI, none in hatterus so plan on driving 20 minutes each way to get a bottle of something. Plan ahead.
Large Grocery store - 10 minutes in SPI, next to the liquor store in Hatterus - 20 minutes. Wal mart - 10 min SPI, hatt - hours away.
Wind - both storm driven. shore break is heavy in the waves in Hatturs so not as beginner friendly compared to SPI. You'll need a second car as no taxi's. SPI - taxi's follow ypu and $4 per ride back per person for down-winders.
Water quality - Hatt was brackish (brown) in the bay compared to the cleaner blue SPI although Holly beach is bad but its not the primary kiting spot. Ocean side is the same.
House rentals - tons of options and much cheaper in SPI ($29 per night in off season) hatt - $89 per night in Oct at the only cheap hotel. Watermens will cost you $150 ish plus/nt probably but it was very nice. SPI has lots of this quality at a cheaper rate.
Night clubs - Hatt has 1 bar, SPI has 100.
See you at both.
Carol
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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| Sun Sep 18, 11 7:38 am |
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Definitely have to bring your own party to Hatteras! I think I muttered something about kiteboarders and fisherman and which ones should be allowed to breed at a bar once, whole place went quiet just then... oops. 
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1surfer
Since 20 Apr 2010
355 Posts
'Ualapu'e / High Rockies
Obsessed
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| Sun Sep 18, 11 7:41 am Re: Hatterus vs. SPI |
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[quote="carolb"]We're doing the BEST RV tour and heading to Hatterus and SPI. both are great for kiting but it just depends when you go. Oct is good for hatterus and SPI doesn't blow as steady until Nov - June. Her's my comparison.
Resturants - five every block in SPI and open late. Hatt- seems like five total spread put over serveral miles and closed by the you get off the water so plan on giving up a late sesh if you want to go out to for dinner. Basically eat in.
Liquor store - 1 every 5 blocks in SPI, none in hatterus so plan on driving 20 minutes each way to get a bottle of something. Plan ahead.
Large Grocery store - 10 minutes in SPI, next to the liquor store in Hatterus - 20 minutes. Wal mart - 10 min SPI, hatt - hours away.
Wind - both storm driven. shore break is heavy in the waves in Hatturs so not as beginner friendly compared to SPI. You'll need a second car as no taxi's. SPI - taxi's follow ypu and $4 per ride back per person for down-winders.
Water quality - Hatt was brackish (brown) in the bay compared to the cleaner blue SPI although Holly beach is bad but its not the primary kiting spot. Ocean side is the same.
House rentals - tons of options and much cheaper in SPI ($29 per night in off season) hatt - $89 per night in Oct at the only cheap hotel. Watermens will cost you $150 ish plus/nt probably but it was very nice. SPI has lots of this quality at a cheaper rate.
Night clubs - Hatt has 1 bar, SPI has 100.
See you at both.
Carol[/quote
Are you guys going to visit us on the snowkite tour ?
When will you be in SPI ? We are going for thanks giving week.
Most bars and clubs are closed there that time of year. Very quiet, mostly wind chasers.
_________________
Ozone Reo's. C&k Beach Boy Service, Windsurfing Waikiki, Hawaiian Windriders, NSRN. |
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