A friend of mine flipped his Nacra 6.0 and his shin slid part way under the hiking strap as the boat was turning on its side. He fell out into space with his leg trapped in that position and over extended the knee - ripping the tendons badly. Two (or it could be three) years later he appears fully recovered after some expensive surgery and rehabilitation.

The problem was the hiking straps were very well attached to the trampoline. I got into a similar situation on a Hobie Tiger and was delighted when I heard the stitching on the hiking strap rip at the back of the tramp, rather than my tendons. I would advocate manufacturers making a weaker attachment of the straps to prevent this type of injury. Has anyone else experienced a similar injury?

I have also seen two female crews with permanent scars from contacting wire stays during pitch poles. Both are tough individuals who still race. On my boat I fitted slip on shroud covers on the the bottom 3ft of the wires to reduce the chance of this type of injury.

My wife had a near miss hitting the front cross beam with her head while on the wire after I stuffed a Hobie 18 Magnum and she was trapped out on the wings. Helmets may not be such a bad idea. I wouldn't dream of skiing, climbing or mountain biking without one.

Chris.