Missing windsurfer rescued after 13hrs in water

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/19/BA8O1KC7L5.DTL

I bet that was a night to remember. Kind of disapointing that she couldn't have been located sooner but at least she survived and was eventually recovered.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

"It started with the survivor wearing the right gear."

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1776 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

The water was 70 degrees, she was less than a mile from shore. Big deal, ditch the rig and paddle in.

Or just sit there and let someone (read:taxpayers) save your ass.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

DOPEFLY · Since 13 Oct 2007 97 Posts Maui

Paddle out when your 60+ Dangler then you can talk all the sh** you want

BSRHOADS · Since 06 Oct 2006 24 Posts

You bring up an interesting question, Dopefly. How old is Dangler?

I don't think he'll every tell you, but if you really knew him you wouldn't be talkin trash.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

If you knew someone who had cancer or who had just battled it and was back out doing what they love I hope you would be a little more understanding with the recent windsurfer rescue. I hope if you Dangler ever have cancer and need some help you dont bother to call because you can just paddle yourself in!!!!!!!!! I personally know people dealing with cancer as do many people and I am stoked to just see them hit the water. I would voluntarily go pick them up if they wanted if that is what it took to get them back on the water!!

people are so tough and man do they throw stones behind the forum face!!!!

Best of luck survivors, Blake

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1776 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Outbox :: Message
From: dangler
To: KMG-365
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:26 pm
Subject: You don't know jack
You don't know jack about me, (any more than I know about this unfortunate woman)

Less than three months after my CANCER treatment, which included among other

treatments, three rounds of chemo, I had to swim nearly the entire width of the river

at Rooster when my kite failed, in 40 degreee water. Thanks again, and eternally, to Greg

Gnecco, (hope I spelled that right, you all know him as the Liquid Force guy) for hauling my

gear in, which undoubtedly saved my ass, cause I barely made the swim.

My point was about self reliance out there. Don't WAIT for rescue, do what you can to

RESCUE YOURSELF. THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1776 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

i'M PUSHING 60

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

I was not the jack ass who told her to basically toughen up and swim in. I just let you sit on your statement and now you feel the need to tell me I don't know jack because your statement made you look like a heartless ass!! Maybe research a story about a rescue before you feel the need to place judgement on what she should have done! Dont be so quick to jump to conclusions of what went on when you don't know the fine details about a rescue!

I am stoked for you that you are still on the water. I doubt any of your friends or family would have told you to just paddle or swim in post or during your battle!

Happy kiting!!

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Plenty of positives to derive from this story but just one way to look at this is through the ''what if this happened to me?'' lens, and how I can use her experience as a learning tool. I think the story of her over-night stay on the water is remarkable in the sense that it allows us to live her story without having been there. How long is 70' water warm for anyhow?

Compelling details:
-Equipment failure
-Marine VHF battery failure
-Strong Tide/current
-Nightfall
-Rescue limitations
-Sound producing device
-Many hours on the water
etc...

I doubt there are many people out there that have spent a night on the water in that or any fashion and have any room to speak or advise. Read the story, see the contributors to the ordeal, teach yourself through the story and expand a bit. Don't get lost in your own jaded interpretation and miss the message. I wish you all better fortune, circumstances, dumb luck, and most of all, humility.

Survivors:
Absolute congratulations on winning and continuing the fight against cancer. I have infinite respect for the warriors who wage against it. I've watched a best friend battle it repeatedly and survive while I believe that I would have perished many years prior without such an honorable struggle. I applaud you. Here's to going out and doing what you love despite other peoples piss-poor outlooks, experiences and opinions.

Tear it up,

JW · Since 28 Jan 2006 227 Posts portland Stoked

kmg-365 shut up the dangler is OG.You need to get a life

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Hey Toughy! You shut up! The lady rescued was an older OG and he cut her no slack!! Just paddle in! He is almost 60 she is 60 + and someones mom. I guarantee if that was anyones mom out there you would not be telling her to swim in. You would be standing there with open arms for the coast guard! Don't treat her like she is some tax paying leach breaking the country for a rescue. Most of those coasties enjoy those rescues because that is what makes them proficient when they come for your ass next time! Sorry to be so critical on rescues. They are my job and 99% of people have no clue what really goes on. You only know what your buddy or news tells you. Be glad she is home and ready to rip another day!

Ps. What helped her tremendously was the dry suit; not a wet suit! Old age= fragile and hypothermia would have had a quicker onset with a wet suit on!!

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

I'm about ready to crack a beer and get some popcorn for this one....

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

me tooo!!!!

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1776 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

QUOTE:doubt there are many people out there that have spent a night on the water in that or any fashion and have any room to speak or advise. Read the story, see the contributors to the ordeal,UNQUOTE

I didn't bash this women, or belittle her ordeal. I'm sure it was very scary, but not what I would call life threatening. If she is strong and fit enough to windsurf, she should be strong and fit enough to paddle in. Winsurfing boards are extremely easy to paddle, like a longboard. She was in a bay, what did she do for 13 hours?

Glad she was OK. Hope no one else in Dire Peril needed assistance that night.

I spent 15 hours a few miles off the coast of Newport when I windsurfed into a dead calm at dusk. It was November, 50 degree water, and pitch black nite. One of the scariest nites of my life. I would have welcomed a rescue, but since I was out alone, not likely.

Ditch gear if you have to,(I considered ditching my rig and paddling, but had no clue to direction) stay with your board or other floatation, and do not go gently into that dark night, rather

SCRATCH, CLAW, PADDLE, SWIM, SCREAM, FIGHT,FIGHT,FIGHT.

Life is short, life is sweet. NEVER GIVE UP!!!