Dear Editor:
It was last Sunday, May 20, that a few sailors rigged up their boats and set out for a nice sail on Osoyoos Lake over the holiday long weekend.
The winds were favourable and all was good.
It was all good until it got a bit windier and we had our work cut out to keep the boats right side up.
Sometimes that does not always work out and three boats flipped over. This was not really a problem as we have practiced and been in this kind of situation before.
The boats were put upright again and all should have gone as planned, but there is always a but, and my boat took off on me and sailed by itself toward the east shore and came to rest at the Nk’Mip campground where some campers secured the boat until I could get to shore.
I went over to fetch my boat and was in the water some 250 metres from shore with my lifejacket on. But swimming with a lifejacket is is not the easiest thing to do.
Fortunately, there were power boaters on the water at the same time and they came to assist us.
So, as I was alongside the powerboat and trying to hoist myself into the boat I realized my feet touched the ground and the water was only chest deep. I could have walked all the way to shore. Once on shore, the winds gained in strength and it was raining.
I was able to get back on my boat and sailed back home to the Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club.
I wish to thank the kind powerboat operators who took the time and recognized the need for assistance to help us be safe and reunited with our boats.
Jurgen Reinhards
Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club
Osoyoos, B.C.
