I have found windsurfers to be very helpful and friendly people.
They come and offer unasked for assistance if you're having equipment trouble on the beach or in the water.
A week or two ago I was sitting on my board in the middle of the river (having a rest before another attempt at waterstarting) ( It turned out the reason I was having trouble was that my outhaul had come untied!) and a thoughtful windsurfer cruised by and asked if I was OK. I was, but it was nice to know that help was available had I needed it.
My kids know how to self rescue, but I tell them if they get into trouble when they are windsurfing the seabreeze will always blow them back to shore, and prior to that someone will probably stop by to help...
It is good to be part of such a nice community.

A good news story indeed, has the makings of a great thread.
Should be more of these!

How about this,,,,,,,,,,
Instead of the same passionate/enthusiastic people getting involved with the war of egos. (wndsurfing vs kiting)

Would be interesting to hear of people like fooosh, including windsurfers, who have been helped by members the other discipline.

Hey peeps! Thanks for the positive comments / thumbs here (including the somewhat homophobic last post!)

Don't spend too much time on the forum. When a fellow human living being in the real world needs some help, that's where you see the goodness in humanity... not 'avatar bitching'[}:)]

By the way, I had my best ever session the day before the dramas! I got dropped off at south beach and it was pretty much empty except for a dog chasing my kite as I came close to shore. I'm still trying to get the hang of flying it right while smacking waves / lips and making the drops. Cruised downwind to the lagoon and then out to the break where there was only a couple of other kiters out and some shoulder high pretty clean waves. Managed to get a few decent ones and came back stoked.

And the morning before the 'incident', was surrounded by a pod of dolphins for about 10min at Sappers.

Anyway, I've untangled all my lines and the kite didn't get eaten by the sharp rock in the middle of the lagoon. Ready to go tomorrow (back in Perth now).

Keep smiling people! Happy and gay... whatever!