Im going saturday through next thursday so hope to meet some people down there!!
Padre for Spring Break!
Moderator: MK
-
Hunter Welles
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:06 pm
- Location: Wayzata
Padre for Spring Break!
My dad just told me the news that we will be going to Padre for the first part of spring break! Since I have never exactly been there I am wondering about places to eat, cool stores, anything and everything like that.
Im going saturday through next thursday so hope to meet some people down there!!
Im going saturday through next thursday so hope to meet some people down there!!
s padre
Hi hunter, hope to see ya' here. If your looking to kite I'm usually game. I have a gym on the island if'n there's no wind--doubt it though-this time of year. Teran Hughes/Island Fitness 761-4220. 2 shops on the island to get gear from: Windsurf Inc and SoPadreIslandKiteboarding-both great folks....
Right on Teran, glad to see you are still with us.
Yes I briefly stopped by Teran's health club, looks first rate. A great low wind option.
Hunter, you're going at one of the few weeks of spring break. From what we saw at the start of it, the island changes considerably during this period. What usually is a pretty laid-back, quite community,turns into ....well let's just say the pace picks up a bit. This won't effect you at all on the water, but restaurants etc may be a bit more full.
Teran is right, there are only two kite shops on the island. Philip's Windsurf/kitesurf Inc who I think you've hooked up with for lessons, and South Padre Island Kitesurfing. Philips is right on the water, he has windsurf rental or storage for your dad and offers great lessons. He carries mainly Cabrinha kites and an assortment of boards.
South Padre Island Kiteboarding is one of a very few kiteboarding only stores in the country! They offer Slingshot and Naish kites and boards and have quite a bit of other gear. They have weird hours since they are only a few guys and are at the flats teaching alot, so if they aren't there when you stop by call Shane on his cell 956.494.6269. I'll mention you're coming down. They are located on the main drag ( there is only one) about a block down from the turnoff for Philip's (Caroline St.). Jeff Hoxtell of Air Padre Kiteboarding doesn't have a shop, but offers full instruction. If you get up and riding and want to try some other spots, either talk to the guys at South Padre Kiteboarding or Jeff about Holly Beach or doing a downwinder on the ocean side in the waves. Jeff's a good friend who used to teach up here with me, his number is 956.299.9463.
Breakfast is THE meal of the day for me when down there. There are quite a few places that serve breakfast burritos/soft tacos that you can load up with whatever you like. Now we're not talking 8 inch tortillas here. These are freshly made, 14-16 inch tortillas filled with almost anything you like. Great way to start the day and if you can't finish it, roll it in tinfoil for lunch. Manuels just over the bridge in Port Isabell has some of the best. The Grapevine, which has a full breakfast menu, also has great ones. It is located on the ocean side of the main drag just south of the Blue Marlin grocery store. Ted's is another good breakfast spot. Right across the street from Teran's club which is on the north end of the main drag.
I haven't found any amazing dinner places. The Brewery has some pretty good items. The pizza place across from Surfs up has pretty good pizza. I'm sure there are others. Ask the locals.
There are tons of beach/T-shirt shops along the drag. There are a few that are a step above. I really like On the Beach, which is down about 3 blocks south of the Blue Marlin Grocery story on the opposite side of the street. You'll need booties when you are down there and On The Beach sells Oneil split toe ones that are by far the best out there. Check out the surf boards while there. They have some beautiful ones. Ocean Motion also carries some Quicksilver etc stuff.
I know you may be looking at boards. My suggestion is to ride what your instructor suggests until you get up and riding comfortably, then try as many boards as you can to try and get a feel for the difference. I will try and see if I can hook you up with some Slingshots to try and if John Doyle is still down there I'll see if I can hook you guys up so you can try some of the new prototypes of the Drake and Jarvis.
Hunter you're going to one of the best places to learn and to try new gear. What a great opportunity. AND you'll be riding when the ice melts so you'll be spending less time in the frigid water.
It'd be great if you would do a e-journal of your learning each day here on Lakawa. Will you be online? Philip might let you use his office computer.
Hope this helps
Yes I briefly stopped by Teran's health club, looks first rate. A great low wind option.
Hunter, you're going at one of the few weeks of spring break. From what we saw at the start of it, the island changes considerably during this period. What usually is a pretty laid-back, quite community,turns into ....well let's just say the pace picks up a bit. This won't effect you at all on the water, but restaurants etc may be a bit more full.
Teran is right, there are only two kite shops on the island. Philip's Windsurf/kitesurf Inc who I think you've hooked up with for lessons, and South Padre Island Kitesurfing. Philips is right on the water, he has windsurf rental or storage for your dad and offers great lessons. He carries mainly Cabrinha kites and an assortment of boards.
South Padre Island Kiteboarding is one of a very few kiteboarding only stores in the country! They offer Slingshot and Naish kites and boards and have quite a bit of other gear. They have weird hours since they are only a few guys and are at the flats teaching alot, so if they aren't there when you stop by call Shane on his cell 956.494.6269. I'll mention you're coming down. They are located on the main drag ( there is only one) about a block down from the turnoff for Philip's (Caroline St.). Jeff Hoxtell of Air Padre Kiteboarding doesn't have a shop, but offers full instruction. If you get up and riding and want to try some other spots, either talk to the guys at South Padre Kiteboarding or Jeff about Holly Beach or doing a downwinder on the ocean side in the waves. Jeff's a good friend who used to teach up here with me, his number is 956.299.9463.
Breakfast is THE meal of the day for me when down there. There are quite a few places that serve breakfast burritos/soft tacos that you can load up with whatever you like. Now we're not talking 8 inch tortillas here. These are freshly made, 14-16 inch tortillas filled with almost anything you like. Great way to start the day and if you can't finish it, roll it in tinfoil for lunch. Manuels just over the bridge in Port Isabell has some of the best. The Grapevine, which has a full breakfast menu, also has great ones. It is located on the ocean side of the main drag just south of the Blue Marlin grocery store. Ted's is another good breakfast spot. Right across the street from Teran's club which is on the north end of the main drag.
I haven't found any amazing dinner places. The Brewery has some pretty good items. The pizza place across from Surfs up has pretty good pizza. I'm sure there are others. Ask the locals.
There are tons of beach/T-shirt shops along the drag. There are a few that are a step above. I really like On the Beach, which is down about 3 blocks south of the Blue Marlin Grocery story on the opposite side of the street. You'll need booties when you are down there and On The Beach sells Oneil split toe ones that are by far the best out there. Check out the surf boards while there. They have some beautiful ones. Ocean Motion also carries some Quicksilver etc stuff.
I know you may be looking at boards. My suggestion is to ride what your instructor suggests until you get up and riding comfortably, then try as many boards as you can to try and get a feel for the difference. I will try and see if I can hook you up with some Slingshots to try and if John Doyle is still down there I'll see if I can hook you guys up so you can try some of the new prototypes of the Drake and Jarvis.
Hunter you're going to one of the best places to learn and to try new gear. What a great opportunity. AND you'll be riding when the ice melts so you'll be spending less time in the frigid water.
It'd be great if you would do a e-journal of your learning each day here on Lakawa. Will you be online? Philip might let you use his office computer.
Hope this helps
Tighe