Off with another broken rib.
I was trying to figure out how it happened.
I'm learning to wing and did it trying to start in shallow onshore conditions.
I thought I did it clambering on all the time. Then I remembered I tried to paddle out into deeper water and had a sharp pain in my rib. I didn't try paddling after that as it was too painful.
I had a hard plastic gadget in the front pocket ( thermometer, compass,whistle) which must have done the damage as I plonked myself onto the board.
Probably less likely sailboarding but it could still be an issue if your chest connects with the equipment.
Don't carry solid objects in the pockets .
Grr . I'm angry at myself for stuffing up the season with such a silly thing. Usually it's impact onto the carbon boom that breaks them.
Good point. Pockets on vests are generally not well designed for active watersports, but can be very useful to carry certain items we might need. I created custom pockets for mine and attached them (inside the vest) at the front of each shoulder. I find that they don't get in the way there at all & I figured it's almost impossible to fall on them there! PLB on one side, key + option of cellphone or other useful bits on other side.
Get well soon, Sue, and don't go breaking ribs anymore.
Yeah avoid using front pockets. My PLB is in the back, still not great but much safer I think.
Never carry potentially dangerous (sharp) objects like old car keys! I've seen folks wearing them on a lanyard under their wetsuits, same applies to pockets, so dangerous!
Have you had your bone density checked recently. Breaking a rib in this manner shouldn't really happen.
Select to expand quoteptsf1111 said..
Yeah avoid using front pockets. My PLB is in the back, still not great but much safer I think.
Never carry potentially dangerous (sharp) objects like old car keys! I've seen folks wearing them on a lanyard under their wetsuits, same applies to pockets, so dangerous!
Whoops..I wear my car opening key around my neck..I'll be paranoid now. 
Select to expand quoteptsf1111 said..
Yeah avoid using front pockets. My PLB is in the back, still not great but much safer I think.
Never carry potentially dangerous (sharp) objects like old car keys! I've seen folks wearing them on a lanyard under their wetsuits, same applies to pockets, so dangerous!
Whoops..I wear my car opening key around my neck..I'll be paranoid now.
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..
Have you had your bone density checked recently. Breaking a rib in this manner shouldn't really happen.
In 2022 when I broke my wrist the Dr said I had great bone density.
It's the left side rib and I've got to get up quite high into my van. To avoid hurting myself I've been grabbing the roof at the front with my right hand and hauling myself up.A few days ago the wind blew the door shut and jammed my wrist in the gap..@$#%! It was caught straight across the narrow part.
I expected the bones to be shattered, but despite extreme pain, it survived without even a bruise.
I'm going to get a test but I imagine if I didn't have decent bones my wrist would have been destroyed by such an impact.
Sorry to hear Sue. Will be hard to sleep. Every time you move...
I once cracked a rib, went to a GP and told him "I may have cracked a rib", so he sent me to have xrays. 5 xrays later, went back to the same GP, who looked at the xrays, scratched his head and said: "you may have cracked a rib"
Only cost me $700 in total. 
Took about 6 weeks to heal.
