A 91-year-old man whose paraglider crashed into the ocean on Sydney's Northern Beaches on Sunday night says he thought he would lose his hands.
Jos Bots, who believes he is the oldest paraglider in Australia, walked away from the accident with only minor cuts and bruises.
The eager sailor, paraglider and motorcyclist went for a Sunday afternoon glide, but things didn't go to plan after leaving the cliff face near Warriewood Surf Club.
"I took off and I went to the left where the lift is and I went up nicely," he said.
"I turned around and went to where the cliff was higher and there was no lift at all.
"So I turned, made a quick turn and if you make a quick turn you lose a lot of height too."
Mr Bots said he struggled to increase his altitude.
"I went down like a rock and I just hit the rock face with my feet and fell into the water."
Bystanders raised the alarm and went to help him.
Mr Bots said he managed to keep his head above water by grabbing onto a rock with both hands.
"But the water running back is so forceful it pushes you straight back, pushes you straight under."
Fortunately, in a matter of moments, Mr Bots felt a pull on his paraglider and realised bystanders were helping him climb on top of the rock.
"There must have been half a ton of water in the glider and the lines were wrapped around my leg and around my hand and that caused the cuts.
"I thought I'd lose my hands really."
Emergency services arrived at the cliff face shortly before 6:00pm to help bring him to safety.
He spent the night in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Bots says he took up paragliding and windsurfing at age 72.
"It's wonderful being up there and it's challenge in a way too — it's something to do," he said.
The accident has not curbed his enthusiasm for the sport and he plans on being back in the skies as soon as he can afford a new paraglider.
"It's completely wrecked," he said.
