Windsurfing Safety Guide

Windsurfing in the San Francisco Bay can be extremely fun and exciting. Certain Safety precautions should be followed to ensure a good experience. The San Francisco Boardsailing Association is dedicated to promoting safe windsurfing. This safety guide is meant to help boardsailors learn common safety rules and become familiar with some of the popular sailing sites.

USE A BUDDY SYSTEM

Never Sail Alone! Several deaths can be attributed to either a failure of the buddy system or a single boardsailor sailing alone. In 1993, two boardsailors were swept out into the Pacific Ocean several miles beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. You don't want this to happen to you!! Even if you have a buddy, keep an eye out for others who may need help & lend assistance if you can. BE PROACTIVE!!

WEAR A WETSUIT (4mil) or Dry Suit

The temperature in the Bay can drop to 55° F or lower. If you are down in the water, it doesn't take long before life-threatening hypothermia can set in. You should wear a wetsuit that not only allows you to be comfortable while you are sailing, but which will laso keep you warm in the worst case scenario. Think of a warmer wetsuit as your life insurance policy. You should look for a full length 4 mil suit.

CARRY SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Line: You should carry line to allow you to self rescue or tow a disabled board in. It is a good idea to carry a few pieces of line. You can always join two or more pieces to make a longer tow line. Yuo should always have an uphaul line which can also be used as a tow line or a line to secure gear if you have to break down sail due to a broken mast.

Whistle/Compass: When you are in trouble. It is best to summon someone to help you if possible. A whistle will allow you to get the attention of nearby sailors. A compass will come in handy if you ever end up in the fog. Once the wind dies in the fog, there may be no way to determine which way the shore is without a compass.

Radio/Strobe: If you sail a mile or more from shore, you should carry safety flares, a light source, and seriously consider carrying a VHF marine radio. Check out the SFBA VHF Marine Radio Guide for advise on carrying a radio on the water. If you are out after dark, a strobe light or other light source could very well be the difference between being rescued or spending the night on the water.

CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT FOR WEAR

Periodically check your equipment for premature wear and replace critical components at the first signs. Universals & Masts are the most common components to fail and failures result in the need for a rescue.

KNOW THE LOCAL SAILING CONDITIONS

Every location has particular dangers to be aware of (Submerged obstacles, sudden offshore wind, flood or ebb tides, rip tides or strong currents). With kitesurfing especially, there may be site conditions that make certain areas safer or more dangerous for launching and landing. If you have the chance it is always a good idea to talk with someone who has knowledge of the local conditions and practices before sailing a new spot.

RULES OF THE ROAD

Circled Vessel has Right-of-Way

1. Starboard tack (right hand forward) has right-of-way over a port tack.
2. Leeward boat has right-of-way over windward boat.
3. An overtaking boat must stay clear.
4. Motor vessels have the Right-of-Way when confined to a channel.

Due to the high speeds sailboards can achieve, the SFBA recommends boardsailors stay clear of all vessels. You are obligated by law to avoid a collision even if you have the right-of-way.

RESCUES

The SFBA does not endorse any rescue options over others. Recognizing the need for minimizing the number and frequency of Emergency Rescues, the Association is offering tips on the various rescue options. A judgment call needs to be made early in the situation whether to:

1. Call the emergency response agencies immediately, or
2. Initiate an Assisted Rescue.

The disabled windsurfer (w/ no injuries) should make the decision which rescue he/she wants. If there is any doubt regarding the safety of the disabled boardsailor, all for an Emergency Rescue.

In An Emergency:

• Stay With Your Board (Floatation & Visibility) Don't Panic
• Signal for Help Quickly(Crossed Arms Over your head)
• Cooperate Fully with Rescuers

SELF-RESCUE

De-rig your sail. Roll the sail onto the mast and lash booms to the sail & board with your outhaul & downhaul. Then attempt to paddle the board to safety. Never paddle a board with a fully rigged sail in the water.

EMERGENCY RESCUE

Emergency Dial: 911 or
US Coast Guard: (415) 556-2103

1. Identify who you are & the number you are calling from. Stay by the phone and keep the rescuers informed as the situation progresses.
2. Describe the person requiring rescue & provide a name of someone knowing the person.
3. Maintain visual contact & report changes in location or success in the rescue effort.

Special Note: The Coast Guard initiates a full search whenever they determine a rescue is needed. This results in very expensive resources being dedicated until the missing/distressed person is found. Too often the Coast Guard has searched through the night for a windsurfer who has made it safely to shore and was at safe home. It is important to followup with the Coast Guard if you have been the cause of an emergency call.

ASSISTED RESCUE

An Assisted Rescue is a rescue where another boardsailor is attempting to lend assistance in an effort to avoid a Self Rescue or an Emergency Rescue Call. If there is an injury involved, always call 911 immediately. Equipment failures (Broken fins, universals, masts, etc.) can often escalate from a major inconvenience to a life threatening situation. Too much time spent swimming in the cold bay waters brings on exhaustion and hypothermia.

TOWING A DISABLED SAILOR

Before you attempt to tow a disabled sailor (including board & rig). Make sure you are using a board with most floatation available, trade or barrow one for the rescue. The sail should be smaller than normal and very controllable.

1. The Disabled sailor should first Self Rescue (Tie-up equipment on the board).
2. Tie the tow line off the rear foot strap of the towing board or to your harness hook.
3. Towing the disabled board from a fitting in the nose of the board is the best option. The universal is the next best towing point. The rear foot strap of the disabled board can used if the two previous options are out of the question and the fin is gone.
4. Try to sail a little without hooking in. When you are comfortable hook-in and hold on, the resistance is formidable. You will probably get launched a few times.
5. Keeping your forward-speed up is important. Don't pinch upwind too much or you'll simply slide sideways.

Variations: You can tow a fully rigged board & sail short distances by having the disabled sailor hold the sail in a waterstart position with the booms on the tail of the board. This minimizes the drag by the sail. The sailor can then either be dragged in a pseudo waterstart position or can climb on top of the nose of the board if it is light winds.

PONY EXPRESS

The broken equipment can be "pony expressed" out to the disabled sailor. Visibility of the disabled sailor is a key problem. One person should always stay with, or near, the disabled sailor while a third party gets what is necessary. If a third party is not available, the disabled sailor can periodically raise the sail to help the other sailor locate his position.

CAUTION:

Reassembling equipment in the middle of the bay can be very difficult and treacherous. The wind and swells can cause boards and sails to flip on top of you unpredictably, possibly causing injury. Be sure you are very confident and comfortable with the situation before you attempt any on-the-water repairs.

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