SPI Westside Launches?

[Barry P]

I'll be in SPI over Thanksgiving.

I know the flats for launching on the east side of the Laguna.

I've heard there are west side launches too, but I'm not sure where they are? Has anyone gone other there?

I've heard that on East winds the west side will be stronger than the east shoreline.

[JRN]

HOLLY BEACH IS ONE OPTION. I haven't been there in so long I'm not sure I could find it. The road used to be crappy & the launch full of cacti, barbed wire, and such. I have heard that some locals bought lots out there and are trying to clean it up. Call or e-mail Jeff @ Air Padre. He is usually good about responding with the details. You can also pay Phillip @ Windsurf Inc. for launch service. It is really nice. He takes you out by boat anywhere you'd like, helps to launch your kite, and then circles back later to pick you up. Alot of the locals hang at Phillip's so it is always fun to be around that So. TX
B.S. Have Fun!

[steveb]

Last spring the guy that owns holly was stopping it's use.
I understand there's some development going on.
You can ride the flats if the winds off shore, it's not the best but it works, you don't have to worry about being blown downwind as you can walk home.

[BBAddict]

Larry Gleason has a home over by Holly Beach. I talked to him this summer and he said they cleaned up the road access. It washes out every year, but it's been repaired and is open for kiting this fall. The person who owns it is charging an access fee similar to the North Flats. I don't remember what the charge is, but it is similar in the sense that you can pay an annual fee or just for the time you are there. I've never kited over there, but I've heard it is often better wind than the North or South flats--and I'm sure there's less traffic.

[RobH]

Hey Barry,

Are you coming to padre solo ? Its starting to sound like we will have a good crew for T-day. My impression of Holy rigging and launch area was yikes! Its been a few years since I have been there - we were warned to be careful of snakes, there was very little room to lay out a kite and there were some obstacles in the water as well. Dont get me wrong I would go there if there was no good wind as long as its open, it seemed like a long drive for unknown wind and subpar rig and launch.

[Barry P]

Thanks for all the good advice.

I'll be there with my family. Driving down with the toys. Hopefully winds at the North Flats and Gulfside will be plenty to keep us from needing to search for wind. I'll ping Jeff Hoxtell about the west side these days and post what he recommends.

It's great to hear I won't be the only Minnesnowta kiter down there over T-Day (we're going to do Fish Tacos, and hopefully a down-winder too ).

[RobH]

Hey Barry,

How old are the kido's ? Heather will be bringing her lil ones down as well so she is already planning on things they can do to keep entertained - we havnt booked our lodging yet but will be doing so this weekend.

[Barry P]

Rob,

Both my kids are in their 20's now. We'll be driving down. We got a pretty good deal on a place mid-island through Padre Island Rentals for the 6 of us.

[larryg]

Holly Beach has been closed to the public but somebody has opened a new area there and graded quite a large spot for rigging. They charge an annual fee for use. I think I paid $40 last spring for annual membership. The winds definitely are steadier and usually better than the north flats - at least SE winds. I will be in Padre Nov. 29-Dec. ?. and will be sailing that area quite a bit as I have a place in Laguna Vista that is only four miles away.

[Barry P]

I asked Jeff Hoxtell. Yes, the traditional Holly Beach is no more. He knows of the place south of it, but not who to contact there.

[thaOkite]

Those of you going down to Padre for November, Ozone will be down there doing demos with the new 2010 line up of snow and kitesurfing kites. Would love to hang out and kite with you guys.

I think this is going to be a big trip this year! Sounds like alot of people are going for the fall sess.


any questions
call
(435)462-5303


Peace
Patrick Nedele
http://www.ozonekitetour.com