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How you pull yourself out of the mess depends on the situation - more on this in a moment. The following applies in any case:
- Don't panic and keep calm
- Never leave the surfboard, it is your unsinkable life raft. Swimming back without equipment is an absolute "no-go"!
- If the sail and board separate in a fall, always swim to the board first
In calm conditions: paddling
Easy! As a rule, the potential danger in a sudden calm is limited and you can relax on the way back. Unless you are riding an extremely small and short board, you can lay the rig on the stern with the boom for paddling.
Tip:The rig will be more stable if you push the boom all the way down the mast beforehand. Try to balance the rig, lie carefully with your stomach on the bow and slide your legs under the sail on the left and right - this will prevent the rig from slipping into the water and slowing you down when paddling. This technique only works in calm to light winds - if it gets windier, sooner or later the sail will fly off the stern. Then it can help to put your legs on the sail.
If you feel confident and the wind and waves allow it, you can also "emergency rig" the sail while sitting on the board: Lay the dismantled individual parts on the board during rigging and sit on them so that nothing gets lost. Roll the split mast into the sail at the end and attach the boom to it with the trim sheet and furling line. Laying it lengthways on the board, you can now kneel over your bundle and paddle off.
In strong winds: call for help
Things are less easy than in a calm when sudden strong winds, material breakage or exhaustion become an emergency. Whatever happens: Stay on the board in any case. Remember: Your unprotected body cools down many times faster in the water than in the air, even if the air temperature is lower than the water temperature! Let your sail float in the water, like a drift anchor it will prevent you from drifting even faster, especially in offshore winds. If you cannot reach the shore by paddling, give an internationally recognised distress signal:
- Kneel on the board and stretch your arms out to the sides (picture above).
- Cross your outstretched arms over your head (picture below).
- Repeat this "tired fly" continuously.
Another option is to swing a brightly coloured object - before you think about your swimming trunks, take the trapeze - in circles. To do this, kneel or stand on the board and hold on to the retractor line with one hand.
Providing the right help in an emergency
Everyone at sea, whether surfer or captain of a cruise ship, is obliged to provide assistance to a person in distress on the water. The most important principle: Provide assistance without putting yourself in danger! So if you see someone drifting far out in an offshore wind or giving a distress signal, it may be safer to go to the beach and organise help from there - for example, by sending out a rescue boat from a local surf school.
If you are unable to organise help on land, the last option is to alert the sea rescue service.
Last option: sea rescue
Especially in offshore winds and at spots where you are relatively alone on the water, technical aids can provide additional safety. The simplest option is a waterproof protective cover for your smartphone, e.g. from Aquapac. Touchpads can be operated through the cover and you can notify a contact person on the shore in an emergency - at least if you are not yet floating outside the net coverage!
Every water sports enthusiast should have the number of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) firmly memorised.
- It is: +49-(0)421-536870
The rescue coordination centre in Bremen is staffed 24 hours a day and coordinates assistance across national borders free of charge.
