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.
I identify with that desperation. I had a similar experience many years ago. A broken uni was the cause of a board/rig separation. The board blew away and I swam after it. I couldn't catch it even though the wind was pretty light. I swam until I was knackered and thinking I could drown. Fortunately another sailor helped me out. He was the only other guy on the water.
So yes, lessons learned:
1) If you lose your rig never leave your board.
2) Check the gear regularly.
3) An impact vest is a useful thing.
4) Avoid sailing alone.
The local rule is that rescued survivors have to shout the beach a beer. I'll be down tomorrow. Bring your biggest esky.
You can hire one of these:
By the way Simon legally owns all your gear now - salvage rights. It's the Law of the Sea. 
No worries mark, darryl was the guy that towed you back and roland was first on seen at your gear, and morgan loaned me the pacifico. My day ended with having to swim across channel at manly , wind died
This is why I sail in close its not safe to sail off over the horizon on your own & its good to sail with a mate if doing long runs.
Great job to all the rescuers. Awesome seeing everyone looking out for each other.
Hi Mark
My pleasure - the monster Pacifico is not only fun but functional in times of need. A fantastic effort by the rescuers - good on you guys - this is what it is all about, looking after each other. A good lesson for all.
Sorry to hear about your swim Simon.
Cheers
Morgan
Well done everyone. It's no fun being way out when gear breaks.
BTW the mast in the video looks like an RDM. Is that right?
I don't want to scare anyone but imagine that in cold water and off shore wind...
Although you had the sharks factor
Glad it ended well Mark, sounds like you were very lucky and fortunate that Simom and co were there to help. Yes if you sailing out of sight, sail with a buddy. I always sail with my flotation vest and helmet now, you just never know whats going to happen !
The mast was an SDM 35 % carbon approx 2 years old. Im not going to name the brand as im sure all brands break at some point of their life. After listening to the video carefully you can hear some creaking sounds coming through the boom just before it went.
For safety,I as a beginner always wear life vest, sail only onshore wind, sail not too far off the shore and even carry a whistle. I didnt meet u ppl there I was at Manly where the wind was lower
Hey Mark,
Tough day at the office for sure. Glad to help and thanks for the kind words.
See you on the water.
Darryl
Thank god you are ok and well done to all those involved.
Did you by chance "go over the front" hard earlier in the day?
Just wondering if the mast was damaged in some way earlier.
Cheers
Marty
Select to expand quoteMartinF2 said..
Thank god you are ok and well done to all those involved.
Did you by chance "go over the front" hard earlier in the day?
Just wondering if the mast was damaged in some way earlier.
Cheers
Marty
No impacts on the day . I had just rigged it and went out, gybed and then bang.
Thinking back I did have a nasty off on said mast about 4 weeks prior. I went into a gybe at full speed after coming down the sandbank, tried to do a lay down and caught the boom in the water. The sail stopped dead, my shin hit the boom hard enough to bruise the bone and I put a hole through the sail. This may have been the point at which the mast weakened. The mast did not hit anything but the water, but noting it broke at the boom clamp then it seems to make sense the boom transferred the impact to the mast.
Something to learn from I guess.
Boardies over the top of a wettie. Nice style. I run the same when I kite...
I also wear a life jacket. Glad your ok.
