leash

Extreme sports and 100% safety are incompatible. When you go to sea in gale-force downwind conditions, sometimes shit will happen. And it’s then that your safety gear and your preparedness in using it become vital…

“We have multiple reports of a surfski washing ashore without the paddler,” said NSRI Simon’s Town Station Commander Darren Zimmerman. “We’re activating.  Can you please try to find out who it might be?”

Accessorize your Surfski

Where to put, how to attach, what to do… courtesy of Dawid Mocke and  www.surfskischool.com

There are 6 surfski accessories that you should find with every surfskier. In order of importance.

1. A pfd
2. A leash
3. A cell phone pouch
4. A flare
5. Juice
6. GPS

All of the above are part of the kit that make your action man status a bit more complete. Also, without the above you’re putting yourself at risk.

Spirit of Toft

Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth Station Commander said: "At 15h20 NSRI Port Elizabeth were activated to a report of 2 surf-skier's suspected to be missing at sea during the surf-ski event the "Sportsworld Downwind Winter Series Race 3", between Sardinia Bay and Noordhoek near Port Elizabeth.

[Editor: Vineet Buch shared this story of a leash-less adventure in strong winds on the surfski newsgroup. I felt it worth sharing with a wider community, so here it is...]

Vineet