Missing windsurfer located in Barnstable

tom9167 · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 24

Glad you made it back, safely, Mark.

Keep us posted on finding your gear.

fanatik · Joined: 17 Sep 1994 Posts: 51

braden · Joined: 12 Jun 1987 Posts: 73 Location: Providence RI

last november my board got away from me, and for the first time I couldn't catch it. Maybe something to do with being almost 65. Had to swim a long way, borrow cell phone, call wife to rescue, etc. Board not recovered.

I know windsurfers don't usually wear leashes, but I'm thinking maybe I should. Any reason not to?

scooper · Joined: 28 May 1987 Posts: 537 Location: Massachusettes

This is a windsurfing forum but if there are any kiteboarders on here (I know there are) maybe they can fill us in about about the dangers of leashes.

I think that leashes were popular for kiteboarding some years ago, but they caused a lot of problems, tangles, injuries, etc. Not sure, but I have the impression that no one uses them anymore.

I've also heard that leashes may be responsible for some pro surfing deaths, they can get caught on rocks and hold you down, but surfers use them anyway. I guess surfing without a leash creates it own danger so it's a trade off.

bred2shred · Joined: 02 May 2000 Posts: 989 Location: Jersey Shore

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

Mark,
Glad you are safe.
Can we call you "Bob"?

Here's a link that didn't turn out so well, but informative:

http://www.boards.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25144&PN=1&TPN=1

I hope your kit shows up....i asked some friends at barnstable marina to keep eye out, but could be anywhere if the tide pulled it out more than the wind pushed it in. I had to buy a new rig 2 years ago after losing it, and keeping me, was just grateful to have a card to swipe

the drysuit issue is one that should get more attention....if you can't swim well in them, that ain't good

you can grab my rear footstrap anytime:)

mwilly · Joined: 09 Jun 2000 Posts: 102

Fellow sailors,
Thanks for all the positive sentiments, it's appreciated. I just talked to Nils who told me some of you went downwind to look after the word got out, I am blown away Smile

you did that...thanks. Even though you couldn't see me, for a while as I got lifted for a better view I could see a sail tip, and kites in the distance. This certainly helped my spirits as I took it to mean I wasn't super far out of the area. Apparently the strong NE for two or so days created a flood tide so the harbor outrush was strong and may have been about 10kts according to the rescue guys. Nils indicated the flood tide can also cause the tide change to occur less quickly as more water has to get out (I wouldn't have thought of that). This must have been why I wasn't making any headway in. I'll certainly be smarter with this knowledge. Someone mentioned reading about mast high waves? No where near that big but undulating, chunky, meaty, head high for sure.

It is good to analyze this a bit and I'm a lot less enamored of suits that bag out with air that could impede swimming efficiency, never really gave this much thought, not sure what the best answer is. Leashes: this is one of the 1st things the rescue crew asked me about; Like others have mentioned I've always felt that its too risky to get tangled in a tumble with the rig, fin, etc, they seemed to understand that logic.

I hope no bad publicity occurs because of this for the local area up there, I've been sailing the Cape for about 10 years now and its definitely got some world class sailing IMHO. I hope to continue to do it for a long time. I/we all know that there are risks with most sports. The innocent bystander must think its nuts in those conditions but we all know its doable and quite worth it. Shouldn't be long till some warm SW....

-Mark

sailingjoe · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1087

Forget leashes. The kiters at W.B. are always chasing around looking for George's board. He's an instructor. I brought up leashes and was quickly silenced. I was wearing a short sleeved wetsuit on Monday with loose shoulders. It's much less tiring to swim with short sleeves. However, there is a windchill drawback. I've warned about the currents in Barnstable harbor on this forum when the subject of Chapin and NE winds come up and have been scoffed at for it. I don't expect the chronic idiots to wise up, but I do hope some people do.

chrissim · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 21

Thanks for sharing your experience. Can't help but think how lucky you are that Nils saw you. I carry a waterproof g-zone phone available through verizon, with me out on Narr. Bay. It's tough, small, and has a handle on it for attaching a key float or leash.

Again, glad your safe. How cool would it be if the rig washed up somewhere. See you out there.

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA