SAFA Skysailor Magazine

15 SPRING 2026 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR I always do it. Yet I just took off, I’m not ready, I haven’t switched gears… Back to Plan A: crash into the trees. I know how dangerous the ocean is. I don’t want to land there. The trees, however, are too far/ high for me to reach. I don’t want to try and end up on the massive rocks scattered below the cliffs. That’s killing ground… Plan B: land in the ocean.  I remember my lessons: “Admit you fucked up and prepare for the landing.” Alright, I’m landing in the ocean! Time is getting very short. I stuffed up, I’m going to die. Now I’m calm and detached. Luckily, I fly in polarised glasses so I can see the rocks under the water. I pick a spot with deep water for my landing. No time to unclip as I’m piloting. I flare and land gently in the water. Too close to shore, in some surf, but mentally I wasn’t able to turn away from the beach and fly into the ocean. I’m still clipped in. One thing at a time: unclip. Leather gloves are very nice under water. Next: untangle. Some lines wrapped around my legs, but no tension yet, not hard to untangle. I have a hook knife but it is on the harness I just aban- doned, useless in case of a water landing. I’m free, the swell is actually pushing me towards the shore. Lucky, so lucky!