Candlestick rescue Video-

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Salt water purists may criticize the Gorge all they want for the fact that it's just a string of lakes, but that's just one of the reasons I don't get scared trying almost any conditions there. Even if the wind goes berserk or simply shuts down in mid-jump and/or three pieces of gear fail, we can (almost) always get our butts and most of our gear back to dry, inhabited land without help. The exceptions are generally cliffs, disabling injury, and barges we can't swim clear of ... all rare. The other problem is serious cold weather, and neoprene and brains take care of that.

I envy you Bay sailors your reliable winds and long season, but I don't envy you open-ended risk anywhere near the Gate. My helmet's off to you.

\m/

BillTurner · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

A buddy of mine just said this after I shared the rescue video with him, "One time, a few years back, I met this gal at Safeway, a CG pilot - she LOVED windsurfers. Just loved em - gave them a real life chance to do rescues. She must have thanked me a dozen times."

They certainly do have limited resources but regarding the issue of rescuing us sailors, they love the action. Pretty funny.

tsokat · Joined: 15 May 1997 Posts: 326

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

There was an article in the Chron, a couple of weeks back, on the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They provide there own boats and pick up a lot of windsurfers. Here's the link:
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/30/BA1IVSDBA.DTL&hw=coast+guard&sn=003&sc=278

spanker_jeep · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I was in over-my-head that day. I did the 2 mile walk of shame back to candlestick to get my car. Upon returning I shot the video, from along side 101. then loaded my gear.
A maverick gust blew my camera tripod over and almost wrecked my HD camera. It was that windy! As far as the gear, it was fine! I was holding down the 5.5 twin cam as easily as I find it banging your girlfriend while your on the water. The only reason I washed ashore was when my mast separated from my board.
yeah, I was swimming and I prayed to god to save my gear. So "Lizard-Dick" or what ever your name is "get a life".

River-Lizard · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 188

BillTurner · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

River-Lizard · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 188

Epenrose · Joined: 05 Nov 1997 Posts: 402

What is wrong with you people.

A guy makes a gentle rib and you start all this he's a "dick" attitude, and high school name calling.

If you read the posts there's some good advice and some disagreement, so what.

Seems like the "I take myself very seriously" crap filters into here with the usual dollop of bay area self importance.

The interesting part is that in years of sailing the bay the worst asshole attitudes have happened at the stick, 3rd, Delta,Coyote, Crissy & North Tower. The jackasses over the years have been far worse than anytime surfing at Fort Point or S.CA.

The absolute nicest people I've run into have been on the North Coast, OB, Pacific Baja, Central Coast and yes even LA. Generally the better the sailors the less the attitude and usually good advice. And of course it tends to be on the biggest, craziest days.

At least have the balls to call River-Lizard whatever you want to his face instead of the usual bay area passive aggressive bullshit hiding on a forum.

Now you wonder why so many people think there are so many barney kooks in windsurfing - so lame.

89Spring · Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Posts: 241

Wow everyone is getting worked up. Has anyone actually talked to the guy that got rescued? No one really knows except him/her. I broke a boom under the GG, sailed as deep as possible on port to get back to crissy got stuck in the hole with out being able to jibe and stay in the breeze, started swimming and getting sucked out in the ebb. My buddy who coaches Jrs. at St.FYC picked me up in his coach boat close to Blackaller. Swimming hard and going down the beach in hurry. A kiter helped me back in from way outside Punto San Carlos when my rig broke. he circled me while I derigged tied everything on the board tied a line to back of his harness and he towed me in.It would have been a very very long paddle. I sail for miles and miles out in the Key West backcountry and have thought about having a radio but havent been too concerned, warm shallow water low stress. knock on wood. I agree that you need to know you ability and conditions and go in when you should. Shit happens and it all depends on how you deal with it. Let the rescued sailor give some response before we all spout out. This all said I am looking forward to getting back to CA