yesterday arriving at my local, it was probably just on eighteen but quite rough due to the direction.
i rigged my 5.8 and hit the water. Koshi told me there was a guy out the back who seemed to be in trouble, and we couldn't see his sail. a rain squall appeared and the wind went off the scale. i was overpowered and struggling to get comfortable in the ridiculous chop.
i found the guy out the back - he was in trouble. caught in a huge wind gust, he couldn't waterstart, kept going over the handlebars. i gave him some advice (glad was wearing a helmet and flotation vest) that wouldn't be best practice but should at least get him home.
later i saw him getting rag dolled; waterstart - splat. waterstart-splat. in this agonizing way he got to shore and walked home. would have been a long afternoon.
i didn't get a chance to talk to him again but i just really wanted to say to everyone starting out, that we all have gone thru this - caught out when the conditions are either misread or turn nuclear. beginners can be put off...you definitely come to your next session timidly. don't be discouraged - getting home in severely overpowered conditions happens to us all, and with a little technique (i call survival sailing) it's all do-able.
in my experience, windsurfers always look out for each other. you wear the right safety gear and don't go sailing alone, and we'll always make sure you get home.
Me 3.
It is so hard starting out and especially being a position where you are still getting used to deep water starts (in chop) and learning to gybe etc...
Its good to hear that there are windsurfers out there are looking out for one another.
When I feel out of my depth I go for the bigger board, and its become sort of my comfort blanket. Its gotten to the point that the big board has become an anchor for me stopping me from taking the next step. Thanks to helpful experienced windsurfers the days where I do take risks at least i know that someone is watching my back.
Never sail alone.
Woke up this morning Da Dah Da Dah
Wind begin to howl Da Dah Da Da
Gotta chose my rig right Da Dah Da
Goin sailin' now
I got da blues
I got da sailing blues
I ain't got no 4 twos
I got da sailing blues
Little fin on my waveboard Da Dah Dh Dah
Got my downhaul tight Da Dah Da Dah
Gonna have me some some action Da Dah Da Dah
I ain't talking tonight
Oh, I got da blues
I got da sailing blues
Ain't got no sailin shoes
Just got these sailin blues
Whitewater rinse cycle Da Dah Da Dah
Can't get through the break Da Dah Da Dah
Gotta learn me to waterstart
How long will that take?
Still got these blues
I got these learning blues
Ain't got no slick moves
Just got these learning blues
Then a crusty old number
He sails up to me
"Just do what I do, son"
Gotta lesson for free
Whoa ain't got no blues
I'm past my learnin blues
Going out for a cruise
With no learning blues.
Shane that gesture was, i think i broke my Tibia on an insane catapult, and was heading to Barker hospital for a scan! That guy who was in trouble finally made it in, and helped me pack my gear. he was saying he needs to practice his water starts, in wind less nuclear!!!!! all i remember was that my shin felt a bit mooshy!
Ahh.. sorry to hear that K. I might head to Milang this weekend if the silly wind direction keeps up. Less cow **** and the ramps are better
Shane and J,
CUT SICK!!! Nursie said i just put a divot on the side of my Tibia, {another one!} just the muscles around it got pulverized. So see ya on the week end!
[Thinks] mite wear some shin guards under my wettie
If you haven't had the **** beaten out of you by every piece of gear you own, and in return wished it all to nine kinds of hell, then you ain't been windsurfing.
24 hrs and no bites!
Impressive.
Try this on the kite forum and you will catch a school in a day.
Windsurfing rocks
ahaha ive been there too, i reckon if i added up all the catapults ive had i must have gone a km or so in total