Most Embarrassing Sailing Moment

Fairly recent this one - decided to take part in a Winter series at another club in my Laser 4000 but the only crew I could get was larger than my regular crews.

Having sailed the boat with the racks half out for 3 years, I then had to set them all the way in. On our first practice sail at our club, we were a bit late for the start, there were less than 5 minutes to go and after a few bungled attemps to launch in a bit of surf, we left the shore standing up.

I then sheeted in, and proceeded to sit down. However, the rack was no longer where my subconcious thought it was, and I missed the toe straps falling straight over the side! 

Having had toe straps break on me several times in the past, I seemed to have developed a penchant for holding onto tiller extensions as if my life depended on it.

So for one or two seconds, I had my back in the water, my legs up in the air with the boat heeling over above me, and the tiller extension bent over the side --- then snap! It broke, leaving me thrashing about in the water trying to catch up with the boat (it wasn't that windy) and the rest of the fleet starting (with one or two rather loud laughs)!!

in the laser at falmouth week last year. starboard end start, perfect, to windward of the fleet. a gust comes along, i hike out and then BANG!!! the knot i had tied in the outhaul came undone and i went backwards into the water, pulling the boat with me. the rest of the fleet sailed on, some of them so helpless with laughter, they hit each other and had to take penalties.

the result ; retiring and having to ask for help to return to the shore. ill never muck up the knot again!