Get airborne -- away from the channel!
Photo from BroadbandSports.com

If you're a flat-water addict, Packery Channel County Park (near Corpus Christi, Texas) can deliver a fix.

Everyone knows about South Padre Island (Spring break! Whoo!) but North Padre Island is home to some great kiteboarding. It's windy year-round, and in prime condition from March through October.

The launch is easy, but beginners beware: you have to be able to stay under control at all times. The nearby channel serves a lot of boat traffic, and kiteboarders endanger themselves and the local kiteboarding scene if they stray into the channel.

There are plenty of kiteboarding shops where you can get the lowdown on other local spots: ProKitesurf, South Coast Kiteboarding, and Third Coast Kitesurfing, among others.

Of course, if you want to take a break from the water -- or the wind isn't cooperating -- you can head down to South Padre Island to get your party on!

Packery delivers the goods, but it can be overwhelming for newbies. Be sure you have the basics down before you make this trip: launching and landing, upwind body dragging, and upwind riding.

So if you're craving butter, and you're confident in your skills, Packery is worth the trip. For updates on local conditions, check out www.southcoastkiteboarding.com.