Death, Injury, and the Gorge

[jimoakes]

Hey, great topic maxwellmaggie.

The worst accident I ever saw was on a light wind day at the Hatchery. I was pumping to plane on a 5.2 sail and 80 liter board . Most people would have called it "not enough to go out".
A sailor who happened to catch a puff began to jibe . Another sailor was downwind trying to tack. They collided and the one who was tacking got her skull crushed. She almost died.
For me in high wind or light wind I allways look around constantly as I sail. I anticipate in advance where everyone is and what might happen. I know how to shove my gear down to stop fast.
In fact that's a good thing to practice, the "controlled stop". You could save a life by being good at that move!
Another thing I recommend is to learn how to tow someone in. It is not fun , but the more you do it the easier it gets. I have towed people out and been towed out myself from the barge lane as a barge was getting close.