Post by Windydoug on Oct 27, 2009 13:34:06 GMT -5
The below is ripped from the always sensational headlines at 10nbc.com:
"Three windsurfers were rescued from Lake Ontario, in addition to Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger and Mary Ann."
Okay, so the second part of the above quote is obviously false, and contrary to 10nbc.com news reports so is the first part.
Being one of a limited group of windsurfers in the area you may have gotten a call from concerned friends worried about your safety, sorry about that.
There was action on Lake Ontario yesterday, and here is how it went down (trust me, it's not that exciting):
Some good NE on the lake, Doug and Bill out on 7.5 and Joe on 5.8. After one out and back run, 7.5 was a little to big so I (Doug) went in to add downhaul, adjust straps for booties, and head back out. Time frame is fuzzy in all this, but on run back out (lots more comfortable) I snapped my mast 6 inches above my boom. I was coming over a swell trying not to get airborne, and leaning the mast forward to catch myself and keep my heading when it blew up with a big "Bam!". I was in the water. I WAS hooded, 5/4 Steamer with a 1.5ml. T shirt underneath, and booties.
I climbed up on my board about 200-300 yards from shore and started to drift sitting on my board with limp sail following behind. I was not panicked, and was, quite toasty with Bill and Joe sailing near by. It was a slow drift toward the houses west of the beach, and honestly my feat were a little cold (think quick barefoot run to get the newspaper at the end of the driveway, cold).
Bill eventually made his way over to me and after some failed attempts, he successfully began towing me while he body dragged on his board. Joe was visible walking along the beach following us. GOOD FRIENDS THESE GUYS.
HERE'S WHERE THE RESCUE DOESN'T HAPPEN.
As Bill and I neared shore I happened to look back and see the little Coast Guard boat bobbing 200 yards or so behind me with its lights flashing.....they couldn't get closer I am assuming because it was too shallow. About this time I also became aware of sirens and lights on shore, "Uh Bill, that's probably for us".
Anyhow, as Joe and I pulled my gear ashore a couple of the first responders arrived at our location. All told 10-15 police, fire, and ambulance folks watched one windsurfer self rescue with the help of two other windsurfers. I am thankful that somebody in one of those houses was watching and noticed me, and I am thankful that all of the emergency folks were around just in case. I am less than thrilled that the media turned the situation into one that was falsely reported. I think a hearty yet bootie-less Joe was the worst for wear with his freezing feet, but he didn't complain. He was just getting his 5.8 dialed in in the waves. Thanks for everything Joe.
Truly, nobody ended up being rescued or needing the assistance of the good people who were there to do their job.
Joe and I walked my gear all the way back to where I started, and after Bill attempted to sail back in dying wind he climbed out and collected his gear by car. He put a gash in his big board too. Sorry Bill. Thanks for helping me out.
All told I had 4 messages on my cell phone when I got back to my car, and Bill's Mom was the first one to break the news that the media had put their spin on the story. I was home by 7 p.m.
Keep watching for each other out there.
In the past three weeks I have broken down twice and the troops have rallied around me.
See ya out there (after I get a new 460 mast).
"Three windsurfers were rescued from Lake Ontario, in addition to Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger and Mary Ann."
Okay, so the second part of the above quote is obviously false, and contrary to 10nbc.com news reports so is the first part.
Being one of a limited group of windsurfers in the area you may have gotten a call from concerned friends worried about your safety, sorry about that.
There was action on Lake Ontario yesterday, and here is how it went down (trust me, it's not that exciting):
Some good NE on the lake, Doug and Bill out on 7.5 and Joe on 5.8. After one out and back run, 7.5 was a little to big so I (Doug) went in to add downhaul, adjust straps for booties, and head back out. Time frame is fuzzy in all this, but on run back out (lots more comfortable) I snapped my mast 6 inches above my boom. I was coming over a swell trying not to get airborne, and leaning the mast forward to catch myself and keep my heading when it blew up with a big "Bam!". I was in the water. I WAS hooded, 5/4 Steamer with a 1.5ml. T shirt underneath, and booties.
I climbed up on my board about 200-300 yards from shore and started to drift sitting on my board with limp sail following behind. I was not panicked, and was, quite toasty with Bill and Joe sailing near by. It was a slow drift toward the houses west of the beach, and honestly my feat were a little cold (think quick barefoot run to get the newspaper at the end of the driveway, cold).
Bill eventually made his way over to me and after some failed attempts, he successfully began towing me while he body dragged on his board. Joe was visible walking along the beach following us. GOOD FRIENDS THESE GUYS.
HERE'S WHERE THE RESCUE DOESN'T HAPPEN.
As Bill and I neared shore I happened to look back and see the little Coast Guard boat bobbing 200 yards or so behind me with its lights flashing.....they couldn't get closer I am assuming because it was too shallow. About this time I also became aware of sirens and lights on shore, "Uh Bill, that's probably for us".
Anyhow, as Joe and I pulled my gear ashore a couple of the first responders arrived at our location. All told 10-15 police, fire, and ambulance folks watched one windsurfer self rescue with the help of two other windsurfers. I am thankful that somebody in one of those houses was watching and noticed me, and I am thankful that all of the emergency folks were around just in case. I am less than thrilled that the media turned the situation into one that was falsely reported. I think a hearty yet bootie-less Joe was the worst for wear with his freezing feet, but he didn't complain. He was just getting his 5.8 dialed in in the waves. Thanks for everything Joe.
Truly, nobody ended up being rescued or needing the assistance of the good people who were there to do their job.
Joe and I walked my gear all the way back to where I started, and after Bill attempted to sail back in dying wind he climbed out and collected his gear by car. He put a gash in his big board too. Sorry Bill. Thanks for helping me out.
All told I had 4 messages on my cell phone when I got back to my car, and Bill's Mom was the first one to break the news that the media had put their spin on the story. I was home by 7 p.m.
Keep watching for each other out there.
In the past three weeks I have broken down twice and the troops have rallied around me.
See ya out there (after I get a new 460 mast).
