Most Embarassing Rookie Mistake!

by Alex
(London, UK)

Hi all,

It is difficult for me to admit this, but I feel that I have to. When I was in Corfu and the winds were blowing about a Force 3, I could see that my brother who was sailing a Topper, was gybing without pulling his sheet in (which those of you who have sailed single handlers may know, is the wrong thing to do as the sheet can get caught on the hull).

Anywho I called to him to watch me, so I could show him how to gybe. I beared away letting out the mainsheet as I went. Suddenly, a gust hit me and I started speeding off. Then, the rookie mistake, I decided to gybe in the gust. This ended up in miserable failure and I capsize. It is safe to say that after this moment, I decided not to lecture him on little details. He was in such fits of laughter, he nearly capsized.

Morale of the story: Don't show off!

What about the rest of you? Made any super embarassing mistakes that you will admit to??