Pittsburgh Launch

[windstoked]

I was reading about the new Pittsburgh launch in the post on Kiteboarding Locations and Guidelines: https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... h&start=20
Reyrivera's photos on page 3 of the thread are helpful, but don't show where kites are launched or landed. With the upcoming competition there June 28, I was thinking of trying it out beforehand: http://thekitebar.com/events/

[Kyle]

here's a good video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=y ... pp=desktop[/video]

[yojimbo]

That launch set-up is pretty sweet.

That area is very windy. Sounds like there are a couple of things you need to be aware of before going out. You can only launch on a west wind, and you should only launch on an ebb tide, or when the tide is going out.

Those are some pretty severe limitations on when you can launch from this site.

What happens when you have a problem and can't get back to the launch site? What are the resulting nightmare scenarios?

Also noticed the kiter took the kite up to 12 before hooking in, guessing he wanted to get his kite away from that pavement/sidewalk as soon as possible.

[mighty]

I've never been over there, but my one of my kites has.

[sloughslut]

Hows the parking? any busted windows yet?

[Aloha]

The good news is anyone who has launched from the boat ramp at Treasure Island now has an equally sketchy option further east when the bay is socked in! Beeeeeee careeeeeful with that one I think

[windstoked]

Thanks for the input everyone. The launch looks doable. The bailout situation is a concern, as is the car safety issue. Any stories on break-ins that anyone has heard of there?
I've heard there is an access further west at a point that is about a fifteen minute hike in, and that could be one bailout option. Any info on that site?

[wjb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHuP7E7 ... tion=share[/video]

Here is a vid I took of the so called secret spot after hearing rumors of Gorge sized swell. I am sure there are many surprises underwater along the shoreline and the parking looked way sketchy

[reyrivera]

Ahh, somebody finally spilled the beans on that spot. I have been kiting there exclusively by myself. It takes a little bit of an effort and preparation to do it, but can be done, way safer than the Marina. So far, have not had somebody break into my vehicle. There are unique hazards people need to be aware of. I can either post something on the kiteboarding location page, or, I will shut up if people prefer to keep this a secret, at least for awhile.

[ino]

Oh nooooooooo