Rig at woody point see lost and found

It'd be great if you could give us the full story Motsbane - might help others in the future. Getting straneded out there is not that uncommon ().

Full story:

First, I summed up the reason:
1. Beginner, lower skilled
2. Gear, there is no centreboard
3. Low wind, and off shore
4. Under estimated the situation
5. I was solo, didn't tell family my beach, dark time


At Saturday, it was light wind, just felt have not practiced for a while, so went to Clontarf Bells beach. I am not fit fella, but enjoy the feeling on the water. I started at 3:30pm. Then felt hard to get back upwindly.
5:30 ish I thought it is alright, still try to get to shore slowly. But couldn't. Sunset was 5:30, but not full dark. I didn't really care too much. 6:00 ish I tried to call help, towards shore, woody point two tall buildings directions , 6 storey maybe. No body heard me, I didn't use full voice to call to lost voice straight away. I was down wind, I could hear children's noise from there occasionally, I didn't really move towards the shore yet at this time, still try to get random boat pass by who can find me. There are 5 or 6 passed by, I don't know how far, they did not hear. We can see from the map, my location was double distance of the Woody Point Jettie's length to the shore, the boat passed between me and the shore.

After my trying failed, I thought I can not wait for the boat pass by, I could see the light from the shore. I started to paddle towards a setting direction, just the tall buildings, I was sitting on the board, the sail are at back, I try to keep dry and keep energy, I was not sure when I can be saved, maybe next morning? Good point was I was on long pants and long sleeves, when I was found at 9:10 pm I didn't really feel cold. After 1 hour's paddling I nearly didn't move much. You can see from the map. Red line was the track for 1 hours paddling. when I came back I realised, the green arrow shows wind direction, blue was current, I was drifted by current, at that night, I didn't know that, very hard to differentiate. During the paddling, I still calling help time by time.
I was a bit scared, after lots of prayer, calling help. And paddling, can not see any hope. Should I go other direction? Back towards Brighton? Too far away, and not sure the current direction, also this side still boat come in and out, more chances. Maybe sail at the back affect the speed? Took all off, mast foot, sail, hardness all tossed. Lying on the board facing down, more paddling. Feeling a bit sore. The one hour paddling I only use 80 % strength, I don't wanna drop body temperature so quickly. I still sitting on board, towards Woody point. Will my life end up here? Suddenly thinking felt so scary, I called help 100 times. I watched TV talked about UK coast rescue, I was thinking maybe my family call cops and see my car parked there and ask rescue? I saw a boat with front light coming towards me, I was thinking, is this rescue boat for me? I calling help, then it passed. (This was the one later rescued me) Keep moving. That night was long for me, finally the boat came back, maybe he change location to find better fishing spot? I called too loudly, he heard me. First thing, ask the skipper to call my family, in my home, police were there because family called 000. They were try to find out traffic accidents or eaten by sharks or, family don't know my rego number. Cops can not find my car under my name.
One thing when I asked my family when I got home that, 000 said only waiting for 24 hours to take further action, causing my doubts. I searched up, and talked to a man call Keith, he is sure 000 gave wrong information, they would contact water police to help search the case like mine.

Wish my experience help you!
But don't think many surfers like my situation.

I surf mostly solo, how can I find a mate have similar level and same time line? For instance, I do 12-15 knots, maybe others enjoy 20knots.
The skipper called Piya, thanks to him.

Yesterday, I heard local community post my rigs, this morning with help of QBN group's surfer, I got them back, thanks to them. I didn't realise I can see the gear again, I thought drifting to New Zealand or.

Ask: Why don't you leave all gears and swim towards shore at first time?
Answer: I didn't realise at first, even I thought keep gears and paddling should be ok.

Ask: Do you still enjoy windsurfing?
Answer: Yes, but at the moment don't feel it like before, take a week get mentally heal, mainly feel sorry to family

We all get a bit cocky with off shore wind, and then get a reality check. I've got myself into some jams too. I'm glad you lived to tell the tale. It's good you dumped the rig and stayed with your board. Good textbook strategy. Although, in my local spot, it's better to dump the board and float in with the rig. But I won't muddy the water with odd strategy

Woody and Bells can be a great place to windsurf, kite or wing and can get busy with fellow watermen during westerlies like last week. Only safe in a South through West, definitely not North West. The only rule is never go past the red line, if things go wrong you will hit the jetty rather than head out into the bay.

Glad it worked out for you Tom, hopefully future sessions are less adventurous.

I might think about getting an emergency whistle.
I sailed out way too far the other week when the westerlies were on. I should pull my head in.

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Motsbane said..
Life is more important than anything.

Off shore, no!
Close to night time, no!
Tell family the common sense, if need , we can ask water police' s help thru 000. Save time! Time is life!

I highly recommend using a PLB as a last-ditch insurance. (Like the EPIRB's which boats have to have for offshore, but much smaller!) I have one always in a pouch in my impact vest for kiting, so I don't need to think about it besides an occasional test, but if things went to s*** I could activate it to get help. Rescuers would then know exactly where to go to find you. It includes a strobe & 10-year battery, so it's pretty cheap insurance over 10 years! Also useful for bushwalking, 4wd etc.

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Shifu said..
I might think about getting an emergency whistle.

Whistles can have their uses, but you're dependent upon having people close enough to hear it (over other sounds including their own boat's motor), and recognising that it's a distress signal.

^^^ Why don't you pick him up on your dinosaur ?

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Shifu said..
I might think about getting an emergency whistle.
I sailed out way too far the other week when the westerlies were on. I should pull my head in.

Worth to buy one, save life!

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olskool said..
Tom, if you can pick me up i will sail with you next time.
Andrew.

Hi Olskool,
I like to to that, just worry I can take you, but not sure your gears.
Are you back to water?