Scariest moments while windsurfing

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garynoel

260 posts

garynoel

WA, 260 posts

2 Mar 2007 11:10am

What's the scariest moment you've every had while windsurfing?

One of mine was when I was sailing out to the reef break to the right of Hilary's in Perth(can't remember name of the little island). My mast broke about 1km out and I had to derig in the water.
Trouble was I let go of my sail cos I thought it would float. But it didn't. It started to sink.
While in the water derigging I saw a big flash of brown zip under me, it was a seal heading to the island. But I was convinced it was a 25 foot pointer.
I summoned up all my courage (very little) and dove down to get the sail. Trouble was it was WAY further down than I imagined, probably 3-4 m down. It took about four attempts to finally drag it up to the surface.
I had a knackering paddle to the island and waited an hour while my mate got me a spare mast.

Gaz

nebbian

6277 posts

nebbian

WA, 6277 posts

2 Mar 2007 11:51am

Watching my sail get enveloped by slack kite lines, then watching as the kite bounced around trying to power back up

Not as scary as yours though. When derigging a sail, always tie it to something (that Boards site tells you how to do it)

Pugwash

7733 posts

Pugwash

WA, 7733 posts

2 Mar 2007 11:51am

That scares me also

Seals get me every time...

My moment would be standing horsey over my board 3-4 m off the water, watching the board turn sideways and line up my #%@$

Thought that was it, but as Maxwell Smart used to say, missed it by that much

shear tip

NSW

1125 posts

shear tip

NSW, 1125 posts

2 Mar 2007 1:55pm

Catapaulting at high speed in 80 cm water on a speed run and heading straight for my mast. It all happened in slow motion. (see speed crashes thread.) I had a headache for about 12 hours after that.

red

VIC

741 posts

red

VIC, 741 posts

2 Mar 2007 2:10pm

Taking a good wipeout at sandy point and seperating my boom from the mast. Tried to swim back to shore (only 5 metres off bank) but in a 25-30 knot offshore no luck. Sat on my board and drifted towards east sandbank. Had a bit of a sore ankle so had a quick look and noticed a bit of blood from a cut nothing to drastic.. but the large black shape that zeroed in towards me from a couple of metres away and surfaced next to me made me fill me wetsuit. Up surfaced a large seal with a good sized salmon in his mouth, with what looked like a goofy grin, had a quick look and then swam away. Just drifted slowly to the bank from there...

Boris

261 posts

Boris

261 posts

2 Mar 2007 12:25pm

Seeing a fat old lady in a g-string on the beach

jc13

QLD

80 posts

jc13

QLD, 80 posts

2 Mar 2007 3:15pm

A few years ago i did a run over to Straddi from Wello. On the way back the wind dropped out. I was dredging back and had to cross a sand bank with 1 metre waves breaking. I am psyching myself up to get through this without falling off, when i see 2 tiger sharks swimming in the clear green water in front of me. Needless to say i was VERY motivated to not fall off.

Paul Kelf

678 posts

Paul Kelf

WA, 678 posts

2 Mar 2007 2:45pm

Had the seal thing at Sandy Point a few years back, pretty scary but a couple of years ago in Cocos I got knocked off my board mid gybe.
A big dark thing hit the board right between my feet and I saw it swim off, the board vibrated as I fell into the very clear sail.
I laid in the sail waiting to be attacked again and thought I should get on the upturned board and tuck my legs up so they won't get bitten off.
Sitting on the upturned board for a couple of minutes drifting further out and looking in every direction for the ( has to be a Tiger Shark, couldn't be anything else ) to come back, then suddenly realising you have to get in the water to turn the gear over and waterstart.
Didn't mention I'm the only person in the whole lagoon!
Really felt hunted.
Longest couple of minutes ever.
Water started in record time in 5 knots of wind and headed back to shore looking behind to see if I'm being followed.
There was a greasy black mark on the board and some tiny hairs stuck in the non slip.
After a couple of days talking to locals they reckon it must have been a Dugong, they now tell me there's one up there with a scar.
He was probably swimming along with me having a great time and I gybed in front of him without looking, sorry Duge my fault!

Paul

Leech

1933 posts

Leech

WA, 1933 posts

2 Mar 2007 3:38pm

quote:
Originally posted by red

Taking a good wipeout at sandy point and seperating my boom from the mast. Tried to swim back to shore (only 5 metres off bank) but in a 25-30 knot offshore no luck. Sat on my board and drifted towards east sandbank. Had a bit of a sore ankle so had a quick look and noticed a bit of blood from a cut nothing to drastic.. but the large black shape that zeroed in towards me from a couple of metres away and surfaced next to me made me fill me wetsuit. Up surfaced a large seal with a good sized salmon in his mouth, with what looked like a goofy grin, had a quick look and then swam away. Just drifted slowly to the bank from there...

Seals are so funny. They just popup and they always have a dumb look on their face.

Leech

1933 posts

Leech

WA, 1933 posts

2 Mar 2007 3:39pm

I found night windsurfing in no wind to be pretty scary

AUS-057

QLD

466 posts

AUS-057

QLD, 466 posts

2 Mar 2007 4:48pm

Having a dolphin jump right next to you whilst blasting along turns your pants a different colour!

David

Pugwash

7733 posts

Pugwash

WA, 7733 posts

2 Mar 2007 4:00pm

quote:
Originally posted by Leech

quote:
Originally posted by red

Taking a good wipeout at sandy point and seperating my boom from the mast. Tried to swim back to shore (only 5 metres off bank) but in a 25-30 knot offshore no luck. Sat on my board and drifted towards east sandbank. Had a bit of a sore ankle so had a quick look and noticed a bit of blood from a cut nothing to drastic.. but the large black shape that zeroed in towards me from a couple of metres away and surfaced next to me made me fill me wetsuit. Up surfaced a large seal with a good sized salmon in his mouth, with what looked like a goofy grin, had a quick look and then swam away. Just drifted slowly to the bank from there...

Seals are so funny. They just popup and they always have a dumb look on their face.

They are like dogs of the sea... Maaaaarrrm, can I get a pet seal

Big Al

265 posts

Big Al

WA, 265 posts

3 Mar 2007 11:15pm

Sailing at trusty old North Mullies with some mates one day we where heading out for yet another jump run, the water was getting silvery and I had to concentrate to spot jumps & keep an eye on my mate right next to me (he's Kamakazi). About 800m out I got this weird feeling & for no real reason I looked behind me where I saw a 60 foot cray boat clapping along at a good 25kts. We had just sailed straight in front of it bisecting it's path - neither of us had even seen it. HTF do you miss a massive white hulking boat....? I reckon we crossed paths less than 20m in front of it.
Worst thing is it happened again this year.

AB....

Greenroom

7608 posts

Greenroom

WA, 7608 posts

3 Mar 2007 11:35pm

This wouldnt be the scariest but today I stacked a backie and while water starting a blue bottle decided to tangle itself around my neck, arm and boom. It took about 10 minutes and a few runs to get the stinging little bugger off! Being 3km offshore and nowhere to stand makes the task a little hard

Pugwash

7733 posts

Pugwash

WA, 7733 posts

4 Mar 2007 12:37am

quote:
Originally posted by Greenroom

This wouldnt be the scariest but today I stacked a backie and while water starting a blue bottle decided to tangle itself around my neck, arm and boom. It took about 10 minutes and a few runs to get the stinging little bugger off! Being 3km offshore and nowhere to stand makes the task a little hard

I got one as well... Arm and leg... Considered going and getting some stuff to put on it... but the Uncle Chop Chop started up in my head... Harden the f%$k up Pugsie...

Greenroom

7608 posts

Greenroom

WA, 7608 posts

4 Mar 2007 12:41am

quote:
Originally posted by Pugwash

quote:
Originally posted by Greenroom

This wouldnt be the scariest but today I stacked a backie and while water starting a blue bottle decided to tangle itself around my neck, arm and boom. It took about 10 minutes and a few runs to get the stinging little bugger off! Being 3km offshore and nowhere to stand makes the task a little hard

I got one as well... Arm and leg... Considered going and getting some stuff to put on it... but the Uncle Chop Chop started up in my head... Harden the f%$k up Pugsie...

Where were ya today Pugsie? and who the hell is Uncle Chop Chop?

greenleader

QLD

5283 posts

greenleader

QLD, 5283 posts

4 Mar 2007 1:48am

ronnies good!

Pugwash

7733 posts

Pugwash

WA, 7733 posts

4 Mar 2007 1:20am

Went to L@#o. Blue bottles everywhere

Sounds like you went to the 1$l@#d

I was thinking of going there... but felt like a drive

Greenroom

7608 posts

Greenroom

WA, 7608 posts

4 Mar 2007 2:17am

You suck

I was just about to go but decided not to

The kids got sh1tty around lunch time and my wife wasnt coping very well so I hung back to tame the ferral and wild beast

Stayed local.
I heard it was 3/4 mast high

I not too fussed though as I got shoulder high and some head high sets

Landed a text book backie

PM me your mobile. We get some waves before The Doctor goes into hybination

Harrow

NSW

4521 posts

Harrow

NSW, 4521 posts

4 Mar 2007 4:12pm

Sailed of Jibbon beach in a 30 knot southerly when I was a kid and didn't know how to waterstart. Bloody stupid thing to do. Figured I'd just stay with my board until the air/sea rescue started looking for me. Ended up getting rescued by a some deep see fisherman on their way back in.

elmo

8895 posts

elmo

WA, 8895 posts

4 Mar 2007 3:23pm

Waiting for the next gust of wind and having a shark go flying past my legs aiming for the Hardie fella whist he was water starting. Then having a clear view of it have a second run at Hardie then decide to chase after me.

I discovered that I don't mind pumping sails after all and that crapping in your wet suit is not recommended.

NotWal

QLD

7436 posts

NotWal

QLD, 7436 posts

4 Mar 2007 11:05pm

Some years ago I was out the back at Wello, swimming my gear around to set up for a waterstart when the classic shark dorsal fin went flying past me at some speed maybe 6 to 10 m away. I was more curious than alarmed being slow witted and gormless. When I finally got it I scrambled up on my board and stayed there scanning the water for ten minutes or so before I found the courage to jump in and swim the gear around again. Why I didn't uphaul I can't remember.

So I guess it really wasn't that scary.

Greenroom

7608 posts

Greenroom

WA, 7608 posts

4 Mar 2007 11:54pm

Flying fish usually scare the crap outta me

greenleader

QLD

5283 posts

greenleader

QLD, 5283 posts

5 Mar 2007 1:06am

some unlucky fella windsurfing in hawaii in the early eighties copped a flying fish in the eye and it pierced his brain!

apparently they don't have the same inflight control as birds.

lights out for him!

Pugwash

7733 posts

Pugwash

WA, 7733 posts

5 Mar 2007 2:27am

quote:
Originally posted by elmo

Waiting for the next gust of wind and having a shark go flying past my legs aiming for the Hardie fella whist he was water starting. Then having a clear view of it have a second run at Hardie then decide to chase after me.

I discovered that I don't mind pumping sails after all and that crapping in your wet suit is not recommended.

You have trouble with the crap stickin to your fur

elmo

8895 posts

elmo

WA, 8895 posts

5 Mar 2007 9:39am

quote:
Originally posted by Pugwash

quote:
Originally posted by elmo

Waiting for the next gust of wind and having a shark go flying past my legs aiming for the Hardie fella whist he was water starting. Then having a clear view of it have a second run at Hardie then decide to chase after me.

I discovered that I don't mind pumping sails after all and that crapping in your wet suit is not recommended.

You have trouble with the crap stickin to your fur

Yep

But brown on red seems to blend in ok so I just look dirty

It's the smell which is hard to get out of furr

sonic

QLD

756 posts

sonic

QLD, 756 posts

5 Mar 2007 11:30am

I was catapulted but stayed hooked in and twisted the harness line which held me under the sail, just for a second or two i couldnt swim out from it,really thought i was going to drown and on last heave got me out.
Spinning out at sandy point going 300m sidways hertling towards the sand bank was hairy.
Once seen a kite try to jump over a small house boat and hit the TV antenna, got dragged off the roof into the drink,looked painful and scary.A guy came out of the cabin with a beer looked around and went back inside without saying a word!

firiebob

3182 posts

firiebob

WA, 3182 posts

5 Mar 2007 5:40pm

Did the old Cairns to Green Island years ago. Got very over powered on the way back, and ended up going arse up, big time

The first thing I did was check the mast, thinking it'd have to be broken, but it was OK. Then realized my board had detached, and was somersaulting away at great speed, this is in the shipping channel half way back. That's when I really shat, I took off faster than Thorpie and caught it, then paddled back for my rig. My mast extension looked like the barrel of a shotgun, in a Daffy Duck cartoon, so wouldn't attach to the base. I had to tie it all together and dredge all the way back, cos I didn't trust it if planning.
I had a mate with me, and we had flares, but it's a sick feeling watching your board disappear while so far off shore

Mark _australia

23695 posts

Mark _australia

WA, 23695 posts

5 Mar 2007 6:25pm

(1) In the waves about 3.5yrs ago, new spot in winter. averaging mast hi (face value) and 25-35kn.
Got trashed, yeah so what.... but somehow my gear ended up on the beach when I was 50m out, then a rip formed. Rip pulling me out.... and regular mast hi (sometimes plus) sets right on my head, and in the impact zone big time. They were so savage they felt like they were going to tear me in half lengthwise. You know the feeling when they are hell big, it is dark under there and the washing machine effect makes you kick yourself in the head and scratch your nuts with your hand involuntarily all the time.
I spent so long holding my breath under the waves that I could not swim at all... after a couple hours sailing it was all I could do just to tread water. After 15min or so I realised I could not go anywhere as the rip dragged me out and waves pushed me in. The best I could do was to just keep my nose out of the water, my mouth was under and I knew that within 1-2min I was going to die. That is a sh!t feeling trust me!!!!!!
Then the rip moved a bit and one wave pushed me in a bit. I suddenly had my last 1% of strength and swum a little bit in between the next 3 or 4 waves. Then tippie toes touched the sand. Felt like I had won lotto.
My rules now: hang on to the boom with one hand for as long as you can. Gear in the white water gets dragged, duck dive too deep and you don't follow it! and don't go for one last run when you are shagged after 2hrs when it is scary big.

(2) sailing on a 90L waveboard, banana shape rocker and tiny fin, juuusssst planing with a 5.7 in about 14kn. Shark swum under me when I was about 1km out. Needless to say I went the broad reach path and didn't care I was 500m downwind when I got back onto terra firma.

jord070

1109 posts

jord070

WA, 1109 posts

5 Mar 2007 8:47pm

mine was going over a dolphin at lucky bay after that shart siting a few weeks back, it was on the sand bar in about 40 cm of water, and the dolphin looked liek it was trying to race me,

MjEaster

64 posts

MjEaster

WA, 64 posts

5 Mar 2007 9:16pm

Had my heart skip a beat from a dipsht scuba diver about 10-15m off the groin at dutchies, no flags were out so was'nt expecting to see a large silver flash midway through a gybe which caused me to damn near sht myself and stuff up the gybe

but was glad when scuba man popped his head up with an appology. I just had a grin from ear to ear once i knew what it was

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