Deals to Harlengen. TX ( s. Padre)
Moderator: MK
Deals to Harlengen. TX ( s. Padre)
Hobbit is posting deals to Harlengen, $169 for the first person $99 for the second. Hard to beat those deals. April 13 to the 30th I think
Tighe
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Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
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SCOTT RIDOUT
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:45 pm
- Location: CHAMPLIN, MINNESOTA
yes sorry scott. I'll drop it by there this morning. Thank you so much for the usage.
Pete. I hear you and John are heading down. Awesome. Firstly start with my post to Hunter. He's hooked up with Philips for lessons so I didn't get into some of the other spots. Philip's is nice cause he has hot showers and a big grass rigging area, though there is a charge for everything with Philip.
Here's what I know, which is by far not it all.
There are 2 main places to sail. The leguna madre, which is the 8mile wide stretch of water between the island and the mainland, which is waist deep, with a slightly mucky, shells every once and awhile bottom. This is great for learning and riding. Chop is minimal and the security of the shallow water really helps to progress.
Sailing sites:
Philip's. He offers nice rigging area, pickups, showers etc. all for a cost of course.
On the north side of town there are two very large open areas ( maybe 30-40 acres each of packed sand. This is where most of the lessons take place. They are called the flats. The wind is not as good at the south flats if the wind is out of the SE which it seems to be alot. The wind is too affected by the convention center just to the south. If you continue on THE road ( the main drag) past the south flats, past the horse place, just before you get to the last ranger station on the right, there is a gate to the north flats. There is a sign that says you need a pass, to enter, we used it without one. We asked around, no one was sure where to get them. Kiters are separated from the windsurfers. Depending upon the direction of the wind kiters are downwind. There are porta potties. Don't park too close to the water. The tide comes up. We drove through considerable water one night to get out. You won't need a 4x4, any rental will get you in and back.
The best place to ride the flat water is Holly Beach. It is about 35 minutes from the island but well worth it. You head back over the bridge, stop at Manuels for breakfast and then drive up the mainland, dirt road for the last 3 mile to the most barren desolate spot, which has THE STEADIEST wind. Ask the locals for directions. Probably not the best place to ride if you're not consistently staying upwind.
Then there's the ocean. The beach is large and clean. The waves vary in size. You can ride in one location, pretty much anywhere or you can do a downwinder.
Hook up with the guys from South Padre Island Kiteboarding (956.772.1098) or Jeff Hoxtell from Air Padre (956.299.9463) they do downwinders a lot and basically if you have a car you have something to offer, either a ride up or a ride back. The local riding community is very supportive. Just let Shane or Cliff at SPIK or Jeff at Air Padre know I sent ya and they'll hook you up. They're great guys.
In terms of doing downwinders in general. I suggest either talking to one of the shops about a pickup via jetski, or just hoofing it. You can pretty much walk across the Laguna Madre if you needed to.
For accommodations, the best way to go is to hook up with others and get a condo. They are $500-800 week and if you have a few bodies it can be real affordable. The other option is hotels. In the off season, which is pretty much any time not spring break, they can be reasonable, $30-50 night.
hope this helps.
Pete. I hear you and John are heading down. Awesome. Firstly start with my post to Hunter. He's hooked up with Philips for lessons so I didn't get into some of the other spots. Philip's is nice cause he has hot showers and a big grass rigging area, though there is a charge for everything with Philip.
Here's what I know, which is by far not it all.
There are 2 main places to sail. The leguna madre, which is the 8mile wide stretch of water between the island and the mainland, which is waist deep, with a slightly mucky, shells every once and awhile bottom. This is great for learning and riding. Chop is minimal and the security of the shallow water really helps to progress.
Sailing sites:
Philip's. He offers nice rigging area, pickups, showers etc. all for a cost of course.
On the north side of town there are two very large open areas ( maybe 30-40 acres each of packed sand. This is where most of the lessons take place. They are called the flats. The wind is not as good at the south flats if the wind is out of the SE which it seems to be alot. The wind is too affected by the convention center just to the south. If you continue on THE road ( the main drag) past the south flats, past the horse place, just before you get to the last ranger station on the right, there is a gate to the north flats. There is a sign that says you need a pass, to enter, we used it without one. We asked around, no one was sure where to get them. Kiters are separated from the windsurfers. Depending upon the direction of the wind kiters are downwind. There are porta potties. Don't park too close to the water. The tide comes up. We drove through considerable water one night to get out. You won't need a 4x4, any rental will get you in and back.
The best place to ride the flat water is Holly Beach. It is about 35 minutes from the island but well worth it. You head back over the bridge, stop at Manuels for breakfast and then drive up the mainland, dirt road for the last 3 mile to the most barren desolate spot, which has THE STEADIEST wind. Ask the locals for directions. Probably not the best place to ride if you're not consistently staying upwind.
Then there's the ocean. The beach is large and clean. The waves vary in size. You can ride in one location, pretty much anywhere or you can do a downwinder.
Hook up with the guys from South Padre Island Kiteboarding (956.772.1098) or Jeff Hoxtell from Air Padre (956.299.9463) they do downwinders a lot and basically if you have a car you have something to offer, either a ride up or a ride back. The local riding community is very supportive. Just let Shane or Cliff at SPIK or Jeff at Air Padre know I sent ya and they'll hook you up. They're great guys.
In terms of doing downwinders in general. I suggest either talking to one of the shops about a pickup via jetski, or just hoofing it. You can pretty much walk across the Laguna Madre if you needed to.
For accommodations, the best way to go is to hook up with others and get a condo. They are $500-800 week and if you have a few bodies it can be real affordable. The other option is hotels. In the off season, which is pretty much any time not spring break, they can be reasonable, $30-50 night.
hope this helps.
Tighe
Passes
You can pickup a pass for the North Flats from a gentleman named Harlan...he has a small sailboard shop on the island. I think it is on Dolphin street, but I'm not sure. Denis and I paid about $15 for a 2003 pass, which was good all year.
I have a renewal form for the pass at home that has all of the contact info...I'll be sure to post it.
I have a renewal form for the pass at home that has all of the contact info...I'll be sure to post it.
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Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
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Hunter Welles
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:06 pm
- Location: Wayzata