I managed to break a mast foot about 1km of Dutch Inn today (Sunday 24th Feb). This left me with little choice but to dump the rig and paddle in. Thanks to the 2 Windsurfers who stopped to try and help.
If anyone hears about the rig washing up (my guess anywhere between Cottesloe and Trigg) then I'd really appreciate the call - number below. I dunno, maybe it'll just sink!
Sail is a Gaastra Manic 5m 2011 (White & Red) with a Gaastra 4m Mast.
Cheers
Stu
0407 293 755
Hi StuHollway
Just got back from Cottesloe. Went diving and found your gear on the bottom.
The sail top panel has a hole, but the rest is all good.
A bit of sea grass started growing on it, but clears up easily.
I was about to advertise it to "whoever can describe it", but no need any more.
PM me for my address so you can pick it up.
awesome find!
I wanna know if Obelix sat on the bottom and derigged same as you would on dry land, dragged it out as-is (bloody hard I imagine).... ?
If in good nick you are very lucky, heaps of gear on the reef at Lano and it looks fine until you turn it over and one side is ground flat from rubbing on the bottom. Lots of half masts ad half booms, carbon doesn't last long
It was half covered by sand. 7-8m deep.
After I pulled it out, it was easy to drag it slowly to the shore. Only a few 00 meters.
The mast is in brand new condition.
Stu , thanks for the beer 
Hah, Obelix just spoke to Stu and he's stoked. You could have taken to work and given it to him then... considering you both work for the same company and do the same job 
Thanks again Obelix.
I still can't believe you found the rig and managed to get it ashore. My lucky day!
Enjoy the beer!
Obelix you must have been really excited to be able to return the rig to it's owner.
That's at least three amazing 'rig-lost-at-sea returned to owner' stories I've heard lately.
We should compile them into a thread/ book somewhere.
Stu, You should post a link to the footage of your big swim to round out this cool story. Does the footage include the vomit at the end?
Ok Ash here it is. Only my 2nd attempt at GoPro, so not that flash. The UJ breaks about 30 seconds into the clip, and yep there is a spew at the end, but luckily only on audio!
The bolt on the bottom of the UJ snapped. That's why the safety strap around the UJ didn't help 
I have had this happen several times over the years, de rigging in strong winds and choppy seas can be chaos trying to hold board then de rig holding mast,boom,extension, roll sail up, etc.
I found what has worked for me is to tie the down haul rope to the rear foot strap that way it stays together, and paddle in towing the rig and stay in between the waves, if ya catch a wave . you end up with the rig over taking you 
Have used this method in 35knts, 4-5ft surf and made it safely back to the beach
Why didnt one of the other guys sailing there tow it in for u. Wounld'nt
have been hard, tie down haul around back strap & go. its slow but u
have ya rig.
maybe its a WA thing, Diff here if someone
brakes stuff.
Hats off to you obelix.
Stu, if I was there I would have towed your kit in for you.
I thought it was great of the 2 guys to stop and help as they did. One bloke suggested trying to tow the rig in, but it was my decision to dump it. I've never seen a small waveboard towing a rig through the water but I guess it's something to try if it ever happens again !
BTW, I've also been told that you can waterstart and sail with a broken rig lying against the sail and inside the boom of a good rig.... masts and booms close together... anyone else tried this?
This might sound stupid, but surely there would be a way to lash the base to the mast track to get you in? Using uphaul/rope, put a large knot that slides into the track & lash it around the base a few times? (clove hitch, prussik etc.?) It wouldn't be pretty, but should get you up & sailing - carefully.
) from the sail bouncing, luckily it was old school surfboard construction so easy fix.
