Sport Today

I'm looking into a job in the Houston area wanted to learn more about
the windsurfing scene there. How much sailing can I get in with my
formula board and 11m sail. How about on the Gulf, obviously Corpus is
great but its a real haul from Houson.

Dude,

You're leaving us?  Again?  What up?  Don't like it here or something?

kev

I grew up windsurfing there in the early 80's. Windsurfing will be no
problem. Winds are only 5mph less than Corpus generally (not worth the
6 hour drive), and are some of the most consistent breezes around. Bay
waters are shallow and wind generated chop is steep and compact.
Excellent for B&J. Formula, I have no idea. Surf is wind generated and
not swell generated. The gulf bottom is more of a gentle slope, so no
pretty waves. It usally takes the right wind weather pattern to get the
best waves.

George, aren't you coming from San Francisco? I would think twice from
a geographic/culture standpoint. I could rag on Houston pretty easily,
but I was always told if you don't have something nice to say...
Anyway, I will stick to the topic. Winds are very good, and windsurfers
there are generally a great group of guys.

Moved here in 90 from NJ. If you want to sail then you'd better stick with
South side of Houston. Houston is huge so it could make a big difference if
your job is on the north side.

Clear Lake & Texas City have decent sailing and some in Galveston. Almost
anywhere on the Northern Gulf is going to be a step down from almost
anywhere you're coming from.

Local radio guy calls Galveston Bay the "Bay of Yoo-hoo" because the water
is always muddy and thick.

Corpus is a long haul but it is also excellent sailing.

Houston is a great City with a lot to offer. Low cost of living, friendly
people, growing economy, lots of sports. It's also just about the most
racially diverse city in TX. Windsurfing is just not one of the things done
well here.

Not much wind, especially in the summer.

Big Board and big sail you might be OK.

It's definitely not a 6 hour drive to Corpus...unless you're driving 40
mph with a headwind in a Kombi, or maybe if you leave during rush hour
from the north side of town.  3-4 hours is more like it.  People make
the drive all the time, so it must be worth it.  Bruno made the drive
last weekend::

http://corpuschristiwindsurfing.com/gallery/chuck_packery/pages/IMG_3...

Kev,

I love it in the Bay Area, but I need to find a job. I don't have an
offer yet so who knows. If you know anybody who is looking for a smart
MBA from a top Business School let me know and I will contact them.

George

I lived  in Houston for 3.5 years but didn't windsurf. I liked it,
clearly different from the Bay Area, but significantly less expensive
as well.

I spent several years there and my largest sail was an 8.5 (as an
intermediate-level sailor, though). Summer is bad, winter wind is cold
front driven, spring and fall trade winds are fairly good and
consistent. I'd move back there from the SF Bay area just for the warm
water :-)

Check this out: http://wsp-sports.com/maps.aspx

Not even mentioned there is Lake Texana, 100mi from Houston towards
Corpus. Great in spring, totally underrated IMO:

http://www.cs.rice.edu/~jnavarro/pictures/Windsurfing/index.html#Part6

Cheers,

++*Juan--

How did you know I drive a Kombi?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=255001

Yes, it is a 4 hour drive... I am not sure what I was thinking.

Summers in Texas are brutal and often windless, but winter can be mild
(especially this year). Spring and Fall are usually nice and windy.
Southerly breezes typically build nicely in the afternoons.

It has been a while since I lived there, so I will shut up and let the
locals give you the straight dope. I have a lot of good windsurfing
memories from there...

My brother lived in Clear Lake Shores (now in Singapore), a nice funky
neighborhood, and had a great group of friends that windsurfed, kited,
fished, and sailed all the time. They had parties almost every week.
They were a fun group to be around. George, it sounds like you know
what you want. I hope things work out for you where ever you land...

George, since you will be bringing an MBA, you might want to look at the
NASA area. The only reason I say that is because NASA still attracts some of
the brightest people on the planet and you will find many people with
advanced degrees.

University of Texas

Really? I heard UTMB was struggling and that they may have to move the
mdical school up here to Austin in the next 3 years.

Got any links to Lake Texana information. When is the best time for
family camping/windsurfing?