www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2012/01/how-to-self-rescue-on-the-water.html

Not for crazy conditions, though a local sailor this side of the world says knowing this makes a difference.

We recently had an adventure with one of our friends

www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2012/01/-lost-and-found-at-seathe-wolf-at-new-suffolk.html

is what brought up the topic.

having had some experience here....

self rescue is the way to go, i was taught it back when i learnt to sail one designs (80's). have used it 2-3 times since. self rescue was part of the old ayf certificate course.

last time i used it was 40+ knots 1m steep chop, 5pm and getting sharky. i was on a short board and tied/rolled all of the kit up well but was tiring and kept getting knock off the board and loosing bits and pieces into the water.

eventually i ditched the self rescued rig and paddled back to shore. took over an hour.

volunteer marine rescue had been called by a passer by. they took an hour or so to get out on the water and by that time i was walking up a boat ramp with my board under my arm.

i was greeted by the water police and asked if i was ok and what had happened. was handed a beer and offered a lift home by a local.

in this situation you also need to contact the water police and advise them that you have abandoned gear or if someone reports a rig floating they will mount a full air/water search.

then there was the time of mooloolaba,,,,, hmmm, and off the southern tip of bribie when the wind died.................

it's a personal thing but i think you know when it's time to ditch your rig or roll it up and self rescue.

My two cents:

- only sail out as far as your are prepared to swim in. For me that is about 1km, which is heaps. It takes no skill to sail far out to sea and it achieves nothing. If you want to exercise your superior sailing skills then ride upwind along the coast (and find all those secret wave spots that everybody else never gets to see).

- try to ride in cross/onshore conditions with a safe landing beach downwind. In the event of a gear failure the wind and waves will wash you ashore faster than you can swim or paddle.

- forget about derigging and paddling in. There's no way a person of normal fitness and strength can lie on a board and paddle it and expect to make any sort of distance or speed. Your arms are spread way out. There's a heap of drag from any bits hanging over the edge (legs, sail etc). It's really really hard. My record is about 2 minutes before having to rest.

- learn to master ultra-light wind water starting (if the swell it too big to uphaul or the board is too small). It's quite easy to do. (Back hand on the foot of the sail. Front hand on the mast down towards the base. Back foot on the board. Front foot kicking.)

- if the wind has dropped out completely you can pop the battens to make the sail hollow and it will float quite nicely. Attach the uphaul to your harness and slowly swim in towing the board and sail behind you. It is very easy to do and you can quickly water start if the wind comes back (as it frequently does).

- if all else fails discard everything except the board and float/paddle in.

If you must do long unsupported runs then get a SPOT tracker and a life jacket. Make sure someone at home is monitoring your progress throughout the day.

PS. In light/no wind you can balance the boom across the tail of the board so the sail and rig is up out of the water. You might have to loosen the boom and slide it down a little so it fits. You can then swim and push or tow the board along.