Windsurfing carries inherent risks—it’s part of the sport. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and lives have been lost. Injuries are not uncommon either. The worst-case scenario is when a windsurfer can’t make it back to their starting point. I usually surf on larger lakes, which means that eventually, the wind and waves will push me ashore somewhere. If my body or gear fails to get me back, I focus on finding the safest and most practical way to reach land or attract attention.
One time, my equipment broke mid-session. I sat on my 90-liter board, laid the sail flat on the water, and let the wind and waves carry me. It took over an hour, but I eventually drifted ashore. Thanks to my warm wetsuit, I didn’t get cold—even though the air and water were just 5°C. It was the right decision, even though I had to walk a long way back to my car.
Another time, I injured one leg and couldn’t use it as my back foot. Instead of trying to sail back to my car, I turned around and sailed to the opposite shore, using my good leg in the rear position. After landing, I walked 10 kilometers back—without my gear.
On several occasions, while using my 60-liter speedboard on the North Sea, the wind dropped too much to continue. Once, another windsurfer came to my aid. He was lighter and had a larger 90-liter board, which allowed him to reach me. We swapped boards and both managed to sail back—though not planing. Another time, I had no help, but I was upwind. So I used a waterstart/bodydrag technique, with one foot on the board, and slowly made my way back to my car. That was my longest waterstart ever—about a 2 km reach.
In all these situations, I chose not to fight nature. I didn’t try to swim against the wind and waves or force myself to sail with an injury. None of these experiences were pleasant, but choosing the path of least resistance helped me get out safely. For me, steady progress—even if it’s not the shortest route—is far better than struggling against the elements. But I was lucky.
Out at sea, if you lose your gear, visibility becomes critical. A brightly colored helmet or yellow sleeves on your wetsuit can help—if you’re able to wave—but it’s no guarantee. During a survival-at-sea course, I learned how to rescue someone wearing a full yellow outfit, and even then, spotting them in 2-meter waves was extremely difficult. Realistically, only a SafeTrx watch combined with a rescue boat equipped for the conditions gives you a high chance of success.
