SPI360

Photos by Chuck Turkington

Carlos Nunez gaining speed during a warm evening session at South Padre.

Waves were bunk for the weekend but by late Sunday afternoon
hints of a building wind swell started to show. Check out the photo gallery (37pics)

Justin Jalufka finds a nice floating closeout, during a random November surf.

A few passing showers, but mostly just cloud cover and breezy.

One of those days when the surfers are starved and out during windy conditions. Brent Thrash grabs a little float in the breeze.

Photo Gallery (110 pics)

Nicole Dodson surfing a random October session in South Padre Island.

Nicole Dodson spreading October showers in the surf impact zone.

Photos by Chuck Turkington

Hacking in South Padre...

A nice swell rolls in to help kick off October. Even if the tropics haven’t given us exactly what we wanted, the cold fronts are right around the corner.

Wading and catching some rays, this girl relaxes during a warm October on the beach of South Padre Island.

Arthur Bourban, from Hossegor France, stretching the limits of Gulf Coast surf!

Three days of swell and three French rippers mingle with the locals, deep in the south of Texas! What started as a typical low-key, slightly obscure afternoon on the small Tex-Mex sandspit would suddenly change when three young travellers entered the water. Arthur Bourban(19) from Hossegor, Rudy Marechal(17) from Capbreton, and Marc Milienne(21) from Martinique all hail from France and all hell broke loose when these guys hit the waves.

The trio of surfers are traveling with professional photographer, Antoine Quinquis and working on a story to appear in Surf Session Magazine, published in France. It should be released between May and September, says Antoine. Based on the photos that were sent to help identify the riders, you should definitely look into getting a copy of that mag! Let’s hope all goes well and the story makes it to the final cut.

The group was based out of Corpus and within a day and a half they had surfed Bob Hall Pier, Boca Chica, South Padre and back to Bob Hall again. One guy had to fly out early and missed the best size of the swell. It turned out to be very fun during the peak of the swell on the outside here in S.P.I., and some photos surfacing from Corpus that day also show some thumpin’ waves. Between all those surf spots and a rising swell, the group is bound to have some gems. Check out the Pics!

Ripping the closeout...

Shawn Cooksey devouring pockets on the inside.

For such a disorganized spinner, Tropical Storm Alberto sure did kick up some corduroy lines. Mid-Gulf buoys were tapping the six foot mark at 11 seconds as the east swell marched toward the Texas coast. The swell came in on Monday, June 12th and would gradually fade to 3 foot at 10 seconds for the next two days. A weak low pressure system dipped down past the Lone Star State and briefly changed local winds to offshores, creating some early morning perfection on Tuesday.

James Walters, threading sections and swimmers.

If this is any sign of things to come, the answer to the question could very well be yes, get a semi-gun and start getting in shape. Some local surfers are keeping a bit of reserve, pointing out how it is not uncommon that the first couple of spinners can be responsible for the best surf of the whole season. Sometimes it just lines up better with stable early-summer weather patterns. Also, the threat of red tide grows with each hot summer day. Some of the later season storms can be almost too big, creating victory at sea conditions. One thing is certain, if mother nature is going to throw some summer lines at the Texas coast, they will be greeted anxiously by a waiting crowd.

Nicole Ekstrom enjoying the glide on the outside.

Keith gaffs one during the first evening session.