Pittsburgh PA, Trying to get into Kiteboarding!

[edt]

yeah Presque Isle is fine for commuting for sure. Ill have to keep an eye on the winds over the next couple months and see what happens. I go to the beach fairly often still for someone land locked so maybe next time im in socal ill give it a go. kiteboarding on a snowboard is probably out for me...i have the medical records of a 90yr old from my snowboarding days...best i leave that stuff alone lol

I use knee pads, butt pads, elbow pads, helmet and wrist guards when I snow kite. Just gear up properly you'll be ok.

Good luck! If you do learn how to kite I doubt you will stay in pittsburg

[BigR]

nothing to see here

[Flyboy]

I've kited at Presque Isle a couple of times while passing through. Seems like a decent spot with nice beaches & exposure to quite a few wind directions, for SW to NE. I'm not sure if there are any restrictions on kiting access - there must be other people kiting there regularly who could tell you. Erie gets pretty warm in the summer. The best winds will be in the fall when the water is still quite warm.

Learning to kite in the winter is a good idea - you'll need to find a snow covered frozen lake or open snow-covered fields. I'm assuming the bay at Presque Isle freezes solid every winter - that might be a good spot for winter kiting also.

http://kitesurfingbuffalo.blogspot.ca/2 ... le-pa.html

[DocDeuce]

From Pittsburgh myself... Live in Charleston SC now. I think that presque isle would be great for kiting. I used to windsurf there all the time when I was young. I would check with any of the sports outfitters up there to see what the kite community is like.

DD

[CaptainArgh]

Have you considered kayaking? There is probably some good whitewater around there and you'll get a similar fix. Find the streams/rivers. You might even find a good crowd running them on inflatable SUPs. I guess that and mountain biking may give you a fix local. But I know that doesn't' answer the mail...

Head out to the Chesapeake Bay when the forecast is good. While maybe not a weekend kiting destination, we do get out a good bit. You can also make a weekend of it and head to the beach (Dewey, DE) which isn't an offensive drive for you...leave Thursday or Friday night, stay for the weekend, etc. You will find lessons and shops supporting you there. I haven't done the math on Jersey shore vs. Chesapeake, but something to consider.

The Great Lakes posts above may be more help. Good luck and post what you find works out for you!

[rmaxwell]

I live in the Pittsburgh area and kite. It isn't easy, but I watch the wind forecast and head to Hatteras for the weekend. It is doable if you can schedule your trip as to avoid traffic. Don't go through Washington D.C. and don't attempt to do it on a summer weekend due to vacation traffic.

[Bille]

I Googled :
kiteboarding lessons lake erie

And found a few schools that are less than a 4 hr drive from you.
Erie Pa , is a 2-hr drive from you.

I would research this a bit More ; if i were you , (perhaps a more Local forum ?).

Bille

[edt]

And found a few schools that are less than a 4 hr drive from you.
Erie Pa , is a 2-hr drive from you.

I would research this a bit More ; if i were you , (perhaps a more Local forum ?).

Bille

bille I don't think you understand just how desolate it is up here. yeah there is red sky in toledo and there is lake erie kiting in buffalo but usually when im on lake erie I wont see anyone for days. check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1RwRLWfrxI I think there's nothing wrong with getting a lesson in Hattie. I know mark from red sky reads this forum maybe he'll teach a lesson. The last comment on Mark's local forum is from July. so yeah local forums only if you are willing to wait a few months for a reply.

[Bille]

And found a few schools that are less than a 4 hr drive from you.
Erie Pa , is a 2-hr drive from you.

I would research this a bit More ; if i were you , (perhaps a more Local forum ?).

Bille

bille I don't think you understand just how desolate it is up here. yeah there is red sky in toledo and there is lake erie kiting in buffalo but usually when im on lake erie I wont see anyone for days. check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1RwRLWfrxI I think there's nothing wrong with getting a lesson in Hattie. I know mark from red sky reads this forum maybe he'll teach a lesson. The last comment on Mark's local forum is from July. so yeah local forums only if you are willing to wait a few months for a reply.

Thanks for the reply ; i altered my post to take out any cynicism .

The drive to Mohave, is 1.5-hr each way ; but there are people who are
also kiting, most every time i go. I see how important a support group is
now ; sometimes i take that for granted, (i won't do that anymore) !

Bille

[BigR]

Maxwell check pm