Dave May <<daveosman7>>
writes:

There's a small pond at the back of the beach about 60 or 70
meters from the ocean. I swooped the pond and travelling pretty quick I was
planning on turning north up the beach to land like I've done several times
before. But seeing a few people on the beach I borked and just kept going
straight ahead thinking I could pull up before the water. I was really fricken
wrong and ended up a good bit out in the waves.

As I was going in I started unzipping my harness but didn't achieve much before
I hit the water. It was immediately apparent I was in deep shit. I was over head
deep and my first reaction was to get some air so I got to the back of glider
and could just get my neck past the rear wires and and my mouth just above the
water level to take a breath. The surf was pretty solid and a wave washed over
me and got a mouth full of water. At this point It was pretty clear that unless
I get out of my harness I was screwed.

I waved my arm above the water in a way that said I needed help, but I was
hoping that it was pretty clear to a few guys on the beach already. Underwater I
worked on getting my harness undone but I was getting washed around, the glider
was sinking on me, the harness was soaked and heavy and I was shitting myself so
it was almost impossible.

I then felt my sail being lifted up as a few champions from the beach had made
their way out to help. I got another breath and asked them to drag my wing
towards the beach. Then a bunch of guys from the life saving club also ran in to
help and it wasn't long before I was back on the sand, and thanking them for
what was most likely saving me from drowning.

In summery I have absolutely no excuse, it was the most ridiculously bad pilot
error. It was totally avoidable, and possibly the most embarrassing moment of my
life. It was also one of the scariest, and seriously if you're ever faced with
the possibility of landing in waves, do whatever it takes to avoid it, because
odds are you'll be swimming with the fishes.

I was flying a full carbon Moyes RX that and I was thinking it was gonna be
pretty messed up. But that carbon is strong stuff. The only damaged was a bunch
of snapped battons, a snapped sprog, and some minor sail damage. But damn, the
clean up was bigger than Fukushima!