In my desperate search for places to kiteboard around Pittsburgh, PA I found a couple of people who windsurf nearby.

One guy apparently manages to windsurf on one of the rivers that runs right through the city. I also found there's a spot on the nearby Lake Arthur where several people regularly windsurf.

Obviously the kites need a bit more space to fly, but once they're in the air they can get to the better wind higher up. What I'm wondering is, assuming I can launch my kite, should I be able to fly anywhere windsurfers can?

While I'm a bit hesitant to jump into the river, I could definitely drive up to Lake Arthur on the weekends. It would be great if these spots turn out to be kiteable before they freeze over.

Hi Rofer,

Saw your post on KF. I felt bad for that ex surfer from my neck of the woods. Hopefully you guys can find a spot that will work. I was almost going to suggest to try landboarding or buggying.

Anyways...regarding your question...

1) Figuring that you can launch, first make sure kiting is allowed there. There are several spots in Cali where you can windsurf but not kitesurf.
2) I would also think about the current. Is it strong? Just want to think about that if your line breaks or your kite drops in the water and you can't re-launch it.
3) Are there suitable areas to land, if you can't get back to the place you launched from.
4) Also, windsurfers can actually get doing in lighter wind...they just need more wind than kites in order to plane. So make sure there is enough wind and the windsurfers are are not just sloughing (sorry...not sure of the exact term).

Good luck and let us know how it goes!