Hi all,

Just writing a warning for those that venture out at point Richards in Portarlington occasionally.

Yesterday I was out on my recently acquired RS4 (weapon of a sail btw), had done about 5 runs out and back from the boat ramp area towards the you yangs (2m+ depth, I couldn't touch the bottom), then on the last one I sailed a bit closer to the boat ramp across the channel and had a rest. Then I jumped back on in 1.9m of water, went to sail across the channel 150m out from shore and saw a reef made of rocks and sand that I assume is what they dredged out of the channel and dumped there. I hit it pretty hard, planing in the harness, but was waiting to get out a bit before jumping in the straps.

It was just before the second marker out on the NE side, looked to be about 10m long. I ended up in hospital with torn ankle ligaments, 4-6 weeks off :(

If this is man-made, then you may be able to contact the local harbour-master... an obstruction like that probably should be marked.... may be helpful for any health bills or insurance woes.

Good write up - thanks. Sounds painful.

How did you manage to do your ankles if you weren't in the straps?

I'd just got a big puff and was running pretty low downwind, I think my back foot was in between the back 2 straps and the front foot was behind the front strap and as I got launched my foot rolled over the front strap.