Today I got myself into trouble sailing at Green Point. I guess it was because I overestimated my ability on a small board 77L which I just got it and rode for the 2nd time (sailed 109L before). And the condition today is quite tough but I thought I would be able to manage. Obviously I was wrong.
I've been doing OK waterstarting but for some reasons, I couldn't get up on the board today trying to get back. I tried to swim back but the current was too strong and I got drifted further away.
I was scared and panic because I couldn't see myself getting any closer to the beach. I waved for help. After a while, help came.
Marcus, Helen, Lionel (I hope I got your name right) and other who were helping me back to the beach, thank you so much. I really appreciated you helping me without even know me. Without your help, I couldn't imagine what would happen to me, definitely some kind of losses.
From now... I'll take a couple of days or a week off trying to get the fear out. I love windsurfing and will not give up. Will have to be more careful because I might not be as lucky as today.
Where would be easier than Green Point to sail in northerlies? I am kind of scared of Green Point now.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all windsurfers
Not sure on where is best to sail on a Northerly but am glad to hear you got back in ok GoMaui! I'm sure at some stage we have all over estimated the conditions and/or underestimated our level of skill.
I am glad other windsurfers where looking out for you. Everyone should make it a point to sail with a "buddy". Someone that will be there when you are on the water and still there when you are coming off the water. Nothing worse than being the last person standing
Sorry to hear that you got a fright today, but glad to hear that you got back in safely and that others were alert enough to keep an eye out for anyone in trouble in today's strong conditions. Much credit to your rescuers for looking out for you.
I had to hobble in today - after sailing overpowered with a 4.7 - then the mast popped out the top of the sail as I hadn't rigged it properly. Luckily I wasn't too far out and managed to sail it in.
Good safety principles include always sailing with others and if in doubt ask a buddy to keep an eye out for you; wearing a bouyancy aid and helmet; never leaving your board - even if the rig drifts away - the board will float you, the rig won't; avoiding sailing in an offshore wind or where if something breaks you won't drift back to shore relatively easily - ie not down to Rye or across to Altona; checking the gear for wear and making sure it is rigged properly (a fail on this one for me today 
); making sure others know where you are and when you are due back etc; having the right gear for the conditions - if in doubt ask others; and having a warm enough wetsuit in case you end up spending time out on or in the water. Many people won't do all of these depending upon conditions, experience, fitness etc and there are probably others I have left out. But if you follow most of these you should have less to fear.
It sounds like you did the right things and should have drifted down to the Sandringham breakwater - not good for the gear but at least you'd be back on dry land safely.
In Northerlies you can sail at Rye, Williamstown, Geelong and even Lysterfield Lake. Have a look at Google maps of the bay and see where is onshore. Green Point would usually be Ok in less extreme conditions and not going out too far, especially if you know you have at least one other sailor to look out for you.
Heartening to hear that others are prepared to assist - glad you got back in safely. I was down at Lysterfield on Friday afternoon when it was blowy and cold. Nobody to be seen, either on the water or around the Lake. I was desperate to sail, but boy is it eerie down there when its empty. I went down to St Kilda instead. Took an hour out of my sailing time, but probably enjoyed it more knowing that I'd be OK if I got into any trouble. On the subject of keeping an eye out for drowing candidates, is anybody out tomorrow arvo, Xmas Eve and what's the go on Xmas Day?? Be good to wish you all a Happy Xmas.
Ah, nothing like a scare to stash away in the diary to recount to the grandkids.
Unfortunately, Green Point is probably about the best spot on the eastern side of the bay in a northerly, although it looks as though it was still pumping through at Rye today, which would have been safer but a bit of a drive.
My best piece of advice is always try to stay upwind of most other sailors and don't go out further than where most people are gybing. Otherwise you're on your own. Go too far downwind or too far out the back, and you might not be seen.
I would find it hard to believe that any competent sailor wouldn't go to the aid of someone that they see is in trouble. Apart from being one of the laws of the sea, it's just what we do, and that's one of the things that makes this sport special.
At 30kts+, today would have been (a hoot) quite challenging, so don't feel bad about not handling the conditions. Best thing to do isn't to be scared of Green Point, but at the next opportunity, ask if anyone is prepared to keep an eye on you for a while. I've done exactly that when getting back on the water after shoulder injuries (on several occasions) Or even better still, contact me to arrange a "business meeting". Happy to leave the office whenever I can. Watching it fron the office window ain't quite the same.
PS. Silly, silly me. I've just read your profile and found out that you are female. Ay carumba. You will have absolutely no problem getting anyone to look out for you. Chivalry certainly is not dead in this sport, if you don't have any objection to reaping the benefits of it!
I was out at Green Point today - it was very windy about 30-35kn... 3.5 - 4m was the size to be on.
I saw most of it happen.... police helicopter & 2 search boats... we all thought the sharks were back, until someone mentioned that a sailor had drifted downwind. Good to hear that it worked out ok.
Right now it may seem like you would want to take a serious look at whether to continue to sail... what I can mention is that:
- you did the right thing by sailing at a location where there were many other people sailing.
- you sailed at a location which, in a worst case scenario, you would have ended up at Sandringham
- relatively speaking, you didn't sail too far out, which allowed others to come rescue.
... in all, you did all the right things. I didn't hear whether you stayed with your gear... did you ditch it or swim the whole thing?
Go Maui
Do not let this event scare you from getting back on the water.
Instead use it as a safety valve for the future. Know your limits and sail to that. Practice your water starts and sail in close on heavier days until you feel comfortable then go further out.
Personal choice, and I know it looks uncool, but wear a PFD on the heavier days. I am past looking cool and I wear it every day I go out light or heavy
Jump back on the horse!!!
i did not know there was a current there. thanks for telling us i am going to look out for it myself next time i am there. i went to rye and the wind was crap as i should of went to the city. i hate rye the wind allways swings around to sw real early in the day and you cant sail strong off shore winds there. lysterfeild is safe but gusty as. was the wind blowing on shore at green point when you got caught out there in the current ? sounds like your board was the problem with a bigger board its alot easier to sail back. i got caught at inverloch once in a real strong current its so scary. 
an get back on that rocking horse my friend like what old salty says windsurfing is the best sport in the world
just reading your profile so you are new to melbourne only been here 1 year ? you should sail inverloch its the most windy place in vic. i will be going there alot this summer cause melbourne wind drives me crazy. you want wa like conditions go there the place has endless wind this time of year. you dont need to go to wa and check out sandy point the windsurf capital of Australia as well .
The great thing about Inverloch is that you sail in Anderson's inlet and it is shallow and quite narrow as there is a large sand mould in the middle at low tide
Hi GoMaui,
good to hear that you are in one piece and reflecting on your experience. I am stoked to hear the local sailors came to the rescue.
I have recently moved from Perth to Melbourne and after only 2 sails, one at Green Point and one at Brighton I am getting a really good vibe from the local crew and everyone seems super friendly, which is kind of what i need as i am finding my way around.
Mikeys is right, after a few years in this sport we all have war stories which make for great apre sail reruns.
Very often when we get in trouble help comes when we least expect it. The last time i got into a bit of bother was in Lancelin WA at main break wave sailing spot.
After a very uncool fully planing catapult i ripped my UJ apart and was left with my board in one hand and the rig in the other almost in the impact zone on the reef. As the waves were a decent size all the local crew were a bit preoccupied and didn't notice me drifting down wind. I was getting to the point of letting the board and rig go and swimming in ( i know this is generally not good but i am a confident swimmer and was only about 400 metres out ). Anyway from no where this German tourist on hire gear popped up, asked me what i needed and then promptly sailed in, got me a UJ from the hire centre and sailed it back to me so i could sail in, bloody legend.
Anyway thats my two quid.
I look forward to more sailing here in Vic and meeting more like minded legends.
Happy sailing and a safe and windy new year.
Mick
i got there later in the day had to take me cat to the vet i got a picture of a guy while i was rigging up looks cool but it was not to sail.
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PS. Silly, silly me. I've just read your profile and found out that you are female. Ay carumba. You will have absolutely no problem getting anyone to look out for you. Chivalry certainly is not dead in this sport, if you don't have any objection to reaping the benefits of it!
haha, your post is cool MickeyS with melbourne been the land of single man he is right. we are all single and would love to lend a hand to a lady windsurfer anytime. i did the same mickeys i posted thinking it was a male then read it after and thought g a female windsurfer. 
Everyone...Thanks for cheering me up. Hope I'll hit water again soon. 
This time...will try to stay out of trouble.
