After a broken mast left me a long way from the shore, I was packing all my gear onto the board, and it slipped from my grip. After swimming madly after it, I eventually caught up with it. Dragged the board back to the sail which was now fully submerged, Just managed to grab the tip before it went out of sight. As I was rolling up the sail a wave knocked the board away, and off it went. After swimming hard for 15 minutes, I was done , and the board was gone.
I had no flotation on at all and was now contemplating the fact that I was going to drown as I was totally exhausted. after trying to float on my back I took on some water after the chop went over my head . As I was going under my mast floated by and provided me with a tiny bit of flotation, just enough to keep me going. I was still going to drown but it would take a bit longer.
Thanks to Simon from Board Crazy who came to my rescue. I am sorry I cant remember all the names but another guy came and towed me back to the sand bar. No mean feat on a 100 litre board with a 5.3 sail. You are a legend.
Simon borrowed a large sup and then went looking for and returned my board with all my gear still attached.
So my very scary lesson has taught me, go and buy a life jacket and wear it. Don't ever part with the board, and most of all there is some very good people in the world. Most of them windsurf.