Air Base - Corpus Christi

The sailing sites around Corpus Christi abound with side/onshore wind, coming on the beach from the Gulf of Mexico. Anything too onshore is kiteboarding unfriendly, especially until you are comfortable with staying upwind. The stretch of Ocean Dr. between Texas A&M University and the Naval Air Station is about as mellow a learning site as any in the Corpus Christi area. The trade winds blow side/sideoff the beach which is easily accessible from Ocean Dr for about 4 miles. The beach is not the friendliest - composed of about 10 feet of rocky/sand and small concrete rip-rap at the water's edge. Launching your kite can be tricky if solo, but easily accomplished with a friend.


Once you get off the beach the real advantages of this site begin. The water depth is about 3'-4' for hundreds of feet off the beach, with a mostly sandy bottom. The water temp. during most of the year is between 70-80 degrees (it feels great)! The chop is usually mellow (sometimes more onshore wind create large chop). Except for the narrow beach launch (there is only about 30' between the road and the water), this site is perfect for learning or perfecting your kiteboarding skills. Ocean Dr. that parallels makes downwinders a breeze. The locals continue to tells us that it blows here in Corpus Christi all year long, but the really windy seasons are in the spring and fall. Check out Cline St. Sailboards (ask for Oliver) for any kiting equipment needs (about 5 miles away down Hwy 358).


Directions: Traveling down Hwy 358 SE towards Padre Island take the Ennis Joplin exit. Travel on Ennis Joplin Rd. east towards the bay for 3.5 miles. You will run into Ocean Dr. and a Circle K on the right hand corner. Take a right onto Ocean Dr. Drive on Ocean Dr for 2-3 miles and pick a spot on the east side of the road that looks good for launching. Note: the Naval Air Station right up the road sometimes doesn't like kiteboarders, so they may ask you to move down below the Oso bridge - you still have close to 2 miles of accessible beach to kiteboard from if this occurs. Keep a good attitude and have an epic session.