Windsurf Inc. / South Padre Kiteboarding

We are a family of four, and during our visit to South Padre Island, we took lessons with Windsurf Inc. / South Padre Kiteboarding. The owner was incredibly friendly, patient, and professional—he really helped us feel confident on the water. As soon as you walk into the shop, it feels like stepping into a movie set—such a unique atmosphere! One of the best parts is the direct access to the Laguna, which makes it super convenient. The water is shallow, so it’s a perfect and safe place to learn new skills, even if you need to jump in. The equipment storage is well-organized and neat—you can tell the owner takes great pride and care in his shop. We also appreciated that Phillip gave us great local dining recommendations. If you’re not sure where to eat, don’t hesitate to ask him!

Philip was a fantastic teacher! We had never been wind surfing before and decided very last minute to take a lesson. He got us up and independent very quickly, and stuck around to make sure that we were confident on the water before heading back in. He seemed to genuinely want us all to improve, and gave individual tips to help us improve our skills. This was also an exceptional place to learn as you could stand at any point in the ~3’ water. I could not recommend this place more for a fun day in SPI!

We, a family of 5, went and took lessons on wind surfing with the hopes of learning the basics. Not only did Philip get us surfing, but he got us hooked on a new sport. We had so much fun, we had to go back and wake board too. As expected, Philip delivered and had my son and I zooming across the waters in no time. This was a great experience during a crazy pandemic we will not soon forget. Thank you so much Philip... we will see youI again soon.

Such a good experience 1. great planning about how learn and understanding the windsurfing 2. Great patience with me , I’m not a kid , he totally understands how you feel and how drive to success 3. Amazing experience, makes you love windsurfing 4. Great inventory of windsurfing stuff avariable at your needed. 5. Hey bring your own beach shoes ;)

Took two teenagers for windsurfing lessons. They loved the instruction and the surfing. Instructor was very patient and they were up surfing in no time. Such a fun way to spend the morning! Highly recommend this place.

It is a good place. There are plenty of activities available. The only downside is that they all are weather permitting. Nevertheless, the owners are very nice and knowledgeable. My son and I had lots of fun! I discovered this place because of groupon, and I certainly recommend it.

Great experience! Philip is helpful and easy going. We did both kayaking and SUP. Its a cool activity exploring the "fingers" on the Laguna and just being out on the water. Recommend!

My husband and I (mid-30s) had a beginner level windsurfing lesson. Neither of us had any surfing experience and were complete novices. However, Phillip Money was not only patient, but he was clear and understanding. I didn’t expect us to get as far along as we did in a single 1 hour lesson! We were up and about on the water quite quickly. My husband even returned a few days later to rent equipment to practice and windsurf without Phillip’s instruction and he once again had a great experience. Phillip is a genuine, nice person and we’re happy to support his business. We are already looking forward to coming back to rent and take lessons with Phillip the next time we’re on SPI.

I have been coming here to windsurf for years. You can either bring your own windsurf or kite gear or rent it. The bay (Laguna Madre), is a perfect place to either learn how to windsurf, or improve your skills. You can stand up for several hundred yards out so if you want to rest, you just stand up. Phillip Money, the owner, is a great instructor! This is also a great place to kiteboard. Phillip is a great instructor and he gives beginner and intermediate lessons, again in the bay where you can stand up quite a ways off shore which makes it less tiring and more secure feeling as a beginner. He has a two-way radio set up where he can go along with you in his boat and instruct you as you are actually sailing or kiting. He also rents kayaks and paddleboards. There are two outdoor, enclosed changing rooms/showers and inside there is a bathroom. Highly recommende!!

This place is a little misnamed, it's not so much a windsurf place as a kiteboarding, windsurfing, and every other type of (non-motorized) watersport place - they've even added stand-up paddle boards this year. I first came here several years ago to continue the kiteboarding lessons I has started in Aruba. They had the really nice (and at the time revolutionary) Cabrinha bow kites, so I was able to progress a lot faster than in Aruba (no fault of Vela's, the kites were not in production yet the summer I was there). Phillip, the owner, is a great instructor, and just an all around cool guy. All the other instructors I've had there have also been great - knowledgable and proficient yet patient and laid back with beginners. I've been back a couple of times a year since that first time, for advanced lessons or bringing beginners for lessons, and have always been happy (when the wind cooperates, of course). The location is perfect, with shallow, flat water, and you can't beat the boat support and radio helmets. And they have outdoor showers, so on your last day you can check out of your condo, come kite here, then get cleaned up before you head home. Whether you want kiteboarding or windsurfing lessons or just want to rent gear, I highly recommend this place!

Super fun ! We found a Groupon for it on our honeymoon for kyak rental all day. They cast you off from shore and you're free to go wherever you like. We saw plenty of fish and an octopus. It's a great workout too. Would totally go again !

Windsurf inc. is the ONLY full service windsurf shop on the island. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable. It is also a good Kiteboarding shop but there are a few other kite shops on the island as well. They have a great selection of Windsufing parts and equipment to keep you going when something breaks. The prices are decent considering this shop is right the water. Don't expect mail order prices. I broke a harness line once, sailed in to "Phil's place", got a new one and paid for it the next day! You can pay Phil to launch there for 5$/ day, if I remember right. It is worth it for the grassy rigging area, Hot showers, place to rinse your gear, and an honor system fridge! I don't understand why more people don't sail from here. It is awesome! It is a gem that nobody seems to know about. While Windsurf inc. seems to make most if their money off of kiteboarding lessons, they also give very good windsurf lessons! Sadly, the place is starting to get run down and worn out. Just like most of us windsurfers out there. It is depressing to see the slow decay of this great shop and the awesome sport of windsurfing. It is only a matter of time until Phil sells this lot for the huge chunk of money it is probably worth. Enjoy Windsurf Inc. while you can!

Spent my birthday paddle boarding on the bay with Windsurf Inc and it was amazing. Great service and friendly staff. Great prices too! High recommend!!

Overall, Jerry was a great instructor and enjoyable. However, Philip was very rough, yelled a lot, and we did not appreciate the intimidation and lack of encouragement. That was only the tip of the iceburg. They overcharged us by $170. Charged for repairs and lost equipment not our resposibility, and excessive and inappropriate fees for using the credit card. With our bill for 8 lessons at over $1400, you would think that the minor repairs, bottled water, and cc overcharging would have been adjusted, I guess not if you are greedy and want to take advantage of people who are just getting into the sport and really enjoy it. South Padre was a great place, this place was not. I would not recommend them to anyone at any time. They should be ashamed at these charges, and how it makes people feel about how they conduct business, make you feel like you've been ripped off.

Great place for windsurfing. Phil has top notch equipment that you can swap out quickly depending on the wind conditions. Nice hang-out area and lot's of friendly people. Cold drinks and snickers in the fridge. Flat water sailing on the laguna madre. Really knowledgeable staff. Just don't get stuck in the channel!

Would give 0 stars if possible. I knew we were coming down and tried to make reservations ahead of time. The owner rushed me off the phone stating reservations weren't necessary. Excited about the trip, I brushed it off. On my birthday, one of the days we were down here, I called ahead to let them know there were two of us on our way. Again, I was rushed off the phone. The owner this time replied "not today you're not, I'm not open. Call me in the morning" and hung up on me. Being that it was my birthday I brushed it off again, rearranged my plans and decided to go the next day. No surprise, apparently there's no boards available for the day. We are leaving tomorrow and won't be able to go with this company. I purchased a groupon ahead of time and will be requesting a refund. Even if I don't there is no way I will be using this company next time I'm down here. I typically only leave nice reviews, but this man was so rude.

Travelled to S. Padre from Southern California on the recommendations of friends. People at home had raved about Philip Money and his Kite training facilities. Could not be happier with my experience. In short order Philip corrected numerous bad habits allowing me to gain key foundational skills. We enjoyed great times and the relationships at WindSurf Inc. We look forward to coming back.

So this review is not actually going to be about just Phil's service or lack of service. The past couple of years I have been to this company three times, the last time I went, I was left alone for an hour and a half out on the water with very little other boat traffic. Now with the water depth being only chest high even a few miles out this should not be an issue...but that was one of the reasons on the last trip I ended not going back. So today, after being in this area with my own gear and my own car, for just about three weeks and getting skunked by the wind when i came a little too late for the wind last week, I ventured to SPI to give it another shot. I decided to try the private flats North of the convention center, i was unfamiliar with the conditions and quickly got bogged down when I saw pools of water and panicked a little and swerved off the side road and into muck...So I spent an hour and a half or more waiting for a tow truck, who ended up using his manual strength to push me out and luckily i had a rug. The other area for launching on this side is the back of the convention center, but if it is low tide or within two hours of low tide, it is a quite a walk ouit to water deep enough to actually get goinng. And the Ocean side is just too rough on most days too. After that I pulled up to Phil's place and called and asked politely if I could launch from his back yard. He said that it was too dangerous for me to be out there alone!!! I understand his attitude since I was now not a paying customer, so anyways, I drive down the street and found an abandoned lot and spent 40 minutes setting up...Just as I was finishing up, this pick up pulled up and a woman =told me that the whole area was private and there was boat ramp down the street....I told her that there didn't seem to be any parking over there and pretty much told her that my idea of relocating down here has been pretty blown out of the water by all the different crap that I have gone through the past couple of times I came out here....If Windsurfing is going to survive as a sport, i think the people running these few operations left around here, should probably think their business model through. I am now looking much further afield for my next home....So I guess this review is for SPI in general...for Windsurfers anyways...

This spring break my dad told me we were going to some remote island in Texas to kiteboard. Not exactly ecstatic about it but not having any other plans, I was ready to check it out. We make it to Texas and head over to this little spot of sand that everyone was calling an island, and coming from Southern California, I was confused as to what could be special about this place...until the next day. We head over to Phil's place and start the lessons, and I immediately understood why we choose this place (which felt like the middle of no where to me) to spend a week. No, it has nothing to do with the island, but rather the people. On the first day I met Jerry. Jerry is one of the nicest instructors, and got me already standing on the board on the first lesson, and enjoying it too! Did I forget to mention I have a pathetically overwhelming fear of the ocean? Ya, that's how good they are at instructing, I completely forgot to be afraid. My second lesson I had Phil, and because I had a joint lesson with my brother, I spent some time with Phil in the boat. I can say for sure that I did not expect to have even the slightest amount of fun I did just sitting on a boat talking to someone I just met. And no, he is not shouting at you, he's trying to get you to listen. Easily can say he has the best of intentions. All in all, I most definitely did not waste a week of my life coming to this sand box like I thought I would. If you're looking for kiteboarding, windsurfing, paddleboarding, etc, the service you get at Phil's you can't find anywhere else. If you're looking for amazing people, stop your search and just head over to Phil's. And if he ever gives you restaurant recommendations, I'd listen :)

Owner is very friendly and laid back. Really nice spot with grass, showers, rigging, good equipment. Highly recommend it.