A good read if you're bored...
www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2008/06/almost-lost-at-demo-the-mike-dabaker-story.html
It's a well-known story where I sail, how one of the best and toughest local wavesailors was dragged out to sea and nearly didn't get back.
If you've got nothing better to do, it's worth a read (it's long.)
Thanks...it's all first-person "mikedabaker" who can probably outswim and outsurf all of the locals here, but almost didn't have what it took to survive. It really underscores these two points:
1. Never sail alone, and
2. Always check your gear.
Since gear breaks regardless, #1 is key.