How to Self-Rescue on a Windsurfer

Self-rescue is an essential skill for beginning windsurfers. Should you become stranded away from shore for any reason -- lack of wind, inability to uphaul the sail, difficulty accomplishing a water-start -- the following steps will help you get back to the beach. The steps assume wind blowing onshore or parallel to the shore (sailing in an offshore breeze is dangerous and should never be attempted by beginning sailors).

Things You'll Need

  • Windsurfing board rigged with sail
  • Personal flotation device (life vest)
  • Helmet (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Maintain Perspective

    • 1

      Stay calm and remember your life vest will keep you afloat. Assess your circumstances; if you've suffered a major equipment failure -- broken mast, for example -- consider whether it would be safer to abandon the rig entirely and swim for shore.

    • 2

      Aim for an area free of dangerous rocks, reefs or heavy surf. Chances are you'll end up downwind from where you started, so you'll want to come ashore safely.

    • 3

      Avoid exhausting yourself. It's common to want to fight the wind and/or the fear or frustration. If you begin feeling fatigued, force yourself to take a break and just float with the rig.

    Orient the Rig

    • 4

      Position the board so the nose points to shore. Use scissor kicks to move the rig around and try to keep yourself upwind of it as you do this.

    • 5

      Position the mast and sail downwind of the board, with the clew (the small end of the boom, opposite the mast) pointing toward shore.

    • 6

      Simultaneously draw the mast toward you and push the tail of the board under the mast slightly so that the weight of the boom and mast rest on the back of the board. The mast should now point in a straight line off the tail of the board.

    • 7

      Allow the available wind to fill the sail slightly as it lies on top of the water. Holding the tail of the board and the boom together, kick toward the beach. Keep the board at a 90-degree angle to the wind or pointing slightly downwind to allow the wind to assist your progress.

    • 8

      Continue until you reach the shore, adjusting your rig's position as needed.