Attach 4 (PDF) - Greater Wellington Regional Council

. The average windsurf board provides 80-250 kg of floatation even if holed or snapped -
far greater than a lifejacket;
. The windsurfer rig is prevented from “getting away” from you, as the sail and mast act
as a sea anchor. Thus, it is always within arms reach;
. The forces of mature in windsurfing are such that being knocked unconscious by ones
own rig is practically impossible; and
. The New Zealand windsurfing safety record is excellent and speaks for itself.
It is worth noting that I agree in principle to increasing safety and safety awareness but
windsurfers are closer to surfers than to yachts. We cannot get swamped by waves (like a tin
run-about), we wear wetsuits, have several pieces of equipment that act as a buoyancy aid or
give added floatation, and therefore are prepared better than any.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara Kendall
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