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NEXT TRIP (2x/yr since 2006 April and Nov):
Immersion kiting is truly the best way to progress your skills. Come for a few days or the whole thing. What works for you? From awestruck newbies to professional level riders, this trip caters and saturates you by an all encompassed, all-in, day-in/out experience of kitesurfing. Lessons and gear rental available! Take a look at the details within and get your kite trip scheduled.
South Padre Island Texas Surfari
Twice a year Lakawa Kiteboarding heads down to Texas to ride during our Minnesota "off" months - November and April. These are also among the best months for winds in the southern tip of Texas. These trips offer something for everyone. Riding day after day in steady winds allows riders of all abilities to progress quickly and take their riding to new levels. It's a fun week(s) of riding, big feasts to rejuvenate, and hanging out in the sun with a group of great people. We've had professional photographers, massage therapists, Yoga on the beach, huge group dinners, pro riders join us, new gear demos from North, Cabrinha, Ozone, Naish, Slingshot, Liquid Force, OneWheel. Bonfires on the beach. 7-mile down-wind rides in the lagoon of shallow waters and in the Gulf of Mexico for North and South winds; imagine riding for 1-2 hrs non-stop never needing to work your way back upwind (in the waves on a foil board is awesome). Also, since the houses are so large and well equipped, we usually make incredible meals, filled with conversation, beverages, and even more video reviews of the days riding.
Take some time off, warm up, and advance your skills in unparalleled fashion. It is unforgettable happy times. We take care of the administrative details and fold into your room fee so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying. Anyone can play the game of narrowing in on the cheapest room. We funnel a large group to enhance your experience, drive your cost down on luxurious homes and have the trip of a lifetime. Review some of the photos/video's of last trips to see for yourself. Come to discover why this trip is a bi-annual staple for so many riders. Our on-location guidance, daily communication, video/photography, and experience can't be matched, plus we usually have gear we are eager for you to try:) Hospitals, restaurants, repairs, access roads, contacts, shuttle schedules, gear swaps, etc., all figured out for you. Believe us, it's not worth it to be holed up in a small room with a free waffle in the shape of Texas for breakfast. The shallows in the lagoon are miles long and offer PERFECT learning conditions.
Immersion - the best way to get involved.
Location
South Padre Island is a barrier island that runs along the Texas coastline, 6 miles offshore, from the southern tip of the continental US to Corpus Christy. The body of water that lies between the island and the mainland (Laguna Madre) is shallow with a minimal chop and runs for 80 miles to the North.
The town of South Padre is on the southern tip of the island. The town is set up to accommodate the nearly 100k college students that choose SPI as their get-away for spring break (note: avoid March in SPI). The rest of the year the island is pretty quiet. There is an abundance of restaurants, shops, etc.
Weather
April and November are usually warm in South Padre. Daytime temps average in the 80's. Most of the time riders are in just shorts. Wetsuits are recommended. A cold front can quickly cool down the water in the Laguna because it is so shallow. Evenings can get cool. Always a wetsuit sail going on at Lakawa but plan ahead.
Winds
April and November are the months with the most consistent winds on the Island. The winds can vary significantly though. Some trips we've been on our big kites almost exclusively and other trips we've had winds well above 30mph. Bring everything you have.
Riding conditions
Padre offers it a lot for kitesurfing, wing foiling, wave foiling, etc. Flat water or waves, the choice is yours. The island is not more than a half mile wide with the flat laguna on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Depending upon the day and the wind direction, you may be able to warm up in the flat water then drive to one end of town and do a downwinder in the waves Gulf back to the hotel or house. Padre can offer some really user-friendly waves, and with miles and miles of beaches, the exit points are endless.
Instruction
Whether you're just starting out, working through the learning curve on a foil board, or dialing-in your first 360, Padre Island is the place to take it to the next level. Having the ability to learn in ideal conditions of warm endless shallows, day after day, speeds the learning process exponentially. Schedule lessons with us to advance from wherever your skills are, beginning to pro. Lakawa helps you with instruction but if you need gear, repair, or swag we can get you outfitted ahead of time and taken care of with deals so your gear is ready when you are.
Accommodations
Regular houses we've secured for comfort and wonderful owner response to needs as they arise:
We like to be close to the riding (~2 miles away), and try to keep the cost down as much as we can. Houses we rent are luxurious, have WiFi, pools, lockable room doors, and are highly accommodating with balcony's and space to be independent (for work or couples) or gathering. Pricing is for single, double or triple occupancy. We are staged in a very accommodating 3 story 5 bedroom home with granite countertops, 3.5 baths, beds for up to 14 people, tile floors and bathrooms, custom cabinets, full kitchen, laundry and a garage which suits us well for all our gear. Since we market for the trip, the cost per person per day is less than most of the hotels on the island but with far greater options. The environment of the house is better than the unknown events happening at the hotels. Plus, conversation and Tribal Knowledge regarding technique, gear, daily video/photo review, etc, can only best be experienced in the house. This is a time when you can be both penny and dollar wise.
Daily room costs are all with your own bed - bedding/towels included:
$75 per bed for shared bunk room - pool side House 2, House 1 hostel style:-)
$90 per bed Queen bed - pool side House 2
$95 for your own room Queen bed - House 1
$155 your own room with bathroom King bed and bathroom Gulfside house (no windows but intense rests) - Master Bedroom 2 House 1
$160 for your own room with bathroom and king bed with a balcony and clear view of the ocean and sunrises - Master House 2
$170 for your own room with bathroom and king bed with a balcony view of the ocean and sunrises - House 1
*Individual rooms can be priced for your purchase if you wish to have a private room designated as shared. Reply for pricing.
Daily general use for shared supplies like detergents, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee filters, towels, bedding, folding beach chairs, boogie boards, umbrellas, etc folded in.
(air mattresses available upon request)
Local Transportation
Bring or rent a vehicle. Renting your own vehicle opens up freedom. We may be able to get someone to join in your rental or we may have room in one of our cars. Consider $15/day a fee worthy of transportation if joining in someone's car. Once on the island all trips are quite short, all within a few miles from house to riding, but having more than one vehicle allows people to go different directions as needed. With the gear involved, we see 2 people per car is usually the best but we've crammed in as many as 9 into mini-vans before:-) You could also buy a used bike while on the island at a thrift shop and use that, return it at the end... I also sell OneWheel, in stock and work quite well round trip to and from ride locations. Free shuttle on the island too!
Nightlife
If you have the energy at the end of the day, there is minimal nightlife on the island. Most find that after a long day of riding in the hot sun, a big dinner and maybe a cold one, that the bed calls out their name pretty early.
These trips have been happening annually for us for years. Technology has evolved making the legacy of the memories far easier to share in social pages. We've dedicated a private page in Facebook for those who join us: Lakawa SPI Trips. Feel free to look through some of the older memories, enjoy the camaraderie, but most of all picture yourself as part of the tribe and join us.
Spring 09 Gallery, Fall 08Gallery
Fall 07Gallery1, Fall 07Gallery2, Spring 07Gallery , Fall 06 Gallery
Pricing:
Book your own flight to HRL, BRO, MFE are the closest to the island from 30 min to 1 hr away all with car rental options. Suncountry and Southwest have seasonal flights that may work with your schedule. Frontier, Delta, United, and American can also get you there. Otherwise, tap into your perks and find a spot that works to fly to and drive from to join us.
Rent your own vehicle for the most flexibility, our group may have someone willing to split your car rental. Shuttles from HRL Conveniently take you from doorstep to doorstep too. Brownsville bus.
Download the Venmo or Whats App for easiest use of moving money around when the groceries and general store runs require reimbursement. Also quite convenient when going out to restaurants to push money around (imagine how many in the group always need change for a $20). App's help avoid carrying cash, no fees, deposits wherever you select the next business day, and you'll likely carry your phone with you everywhere. Submersion phone cases.
Aside from room and transportation your only costs will be your daily expenses. There is a couple ~$20 access to riding location fees you'll pay and sign up for once on the island. Need lessons, gear?
Which week/end works for you? Or you can join us for the whole time!
A $200 deposit is required to hold your spot. The remainder is due 1 week before we leave. You may pay with a CC, Venmo, Whats App, PayPal, cash.
Contact us with any questions.
That last organizational morsel:
Need new gear for the trip? We can put together packages that bundle equipment purchases with the trip cost to save you some buck. Contact us for more details.
Baggage fees have been a perennial exercise in creativity. The success of getting your gear through airlines without being charged extra baggage fees is consistently inconsistent with airlines. If you wish to avoid the mystery of whether or not you will be assigned an extra gear/baggage fee of $50-$150 each way (past experience) or to pass on trying to find the right “golf/deceiver bag,” coordinate your shipping items with us from MN and we will ship them. You will want to bring every kite you can. This also helps with space in the rentals from the airport. Shipping fees to be added to your bill and generally $70 round trip for 2 regular twin tips and 3 kites. *Might" have room for more, cost and space dependent. Getting the gear packed and to us ahead of time is usually a welcomed relief that saves you time prior to departure. By having us take your gear down you avoid camel backing it and have it ready for you upon arrival. Just remove your fins, grab handle and pads from your boards to economize space.
Lower your stress, get your gear to us, relax as you embark on an ideal kitesurfing adventure.
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