Hot Spots

Beginners:

Wildcat (Portland) - map

Located in Portland, near Sunset Lake in Violet Andrews Park. Locals refer to this spot as "Wildcat" and it is one of the best spots in the Corpus Christi area especially for beginners. Because of its location in the bay it is normally the windiest spot during the prevalent SE winds. The shallow knee to waist deep sandy bottom makes it a great area for learning. A large sandbar creates flat water close to shore and makes fun knee high waves. This spot is kiter friendly and has showers, a grassy hill to launch off of, and a lunch pavilion to hang out and watch everyone ride.

Launch Site: There is a large grassy rigging and launching area. To enter the water walk to the left side and along the shore to get upwind easier. Beginners should walk away from shore and launch from there.

Water Conditions: Very shallow on the inside. Sometimes as shallow as a few inches from shore. Outside it's choppy with rolling swells farther out.

Best Wind: Because of its location in the bay it is normally the windiest spot during the prevalent SE winds.

Caution: Beginners should always wear booties because there are oyster shells close to shore. Prevalent SE winds are onshore so stay safe and give yourself plenty of distance from land.

Intermediate:

Oleander Point (Cole Park) - map

Located just off Ocean Drive, this riding area has waist to overhead water. A difficult launch off of a steep hill and a lack of a safe area downwind means that it is only suitable for advanced riders.

Launch Site: There is a grass rigging area. Usually kiters do assisted launches off the bluff. A trail leads to the gravel beach below. For self launches, kiters can launch on the bluff then walk down the trail or launch from the beach.

Water Conditions: The water is waist-to-chest high for 75-100 yards over a sandy bottom. Expect small to waist high chop.

Best Wind: SE, ESE (side shore), E and N are great.

Caution: There is a pier located west of the park. Watch out for the lone palm tree on beach and debris in the gravel. Try to stay clear of windsurfers.

Laguna Shores (Lola) - map

Great little spot located in Flour Bluff where Laguna Shores Rd. meets Lola Johnson Rd. Exit Laguna Shores Road just before you get the JFK causeway heading to the island.

Launch Site: 100 yard walk from parking area to launch site. Can be muddy after it rains. Plenty of rigging room on smooth dirt for 5 - 10 kites.

Water Conditions: Average depth is waist deep. Small chop to very smooth in the shallower areas. Underwater pilings approx 500 yards NE of launch.

Best Wind: S, SE, NE (Lola is one of the windier places in Corpus Christi)

Caution: Rough ground. Booties recommended. Not beginner friendly because of the onshore wind and downwind obstacles.

Overall: Steadiest wind in all of Corpus Christi.

Advanced:

McGee Beach - map and all of the above

Resource: www.kiteboarding.com, www.corpuschristikiteboarding.com