I had an incident at Long Reef that has prompted me to get people thinking about surf rescue in big surf.
I was out with 3 other kiters in a 15 to 25 knot Southerly with 8 foot waves and a lot of water movement. There are a couple of bommies about 800m off shore which break in a big swell. The waves and wind were both moving in a SE direction. I was on a wave which I couldn't get off when it turned to white wash. I overtook my kite and it fell out of the sky. The kite got a pounding, I couldn't relaunch it and the next set was going to wash me into the lines so I ejected and swam south and out of the break zone. My strapless board with no leash was well gone. I started the long swim in but after copping a few scary waves I realised the surf was too big to swim in. There was a rip running straight out from beach so I swam towards this flatter section an floated back out to sea. The only way I was going to get in was by helicopter or kiter.
I let the first kiter go because he wanted to save my gear. The second kiter couldn't get to me. The third one got to me, we had a chat, he dumped his board and body dragged me back in. Thanks Francois.
LESSONS LEARNT
Think about your exit plan if things go wrong.
Look after the person in the water first. Don't worry about gear. It's easily replaced.
Don't hesitate in dumping board to body drag someone in.
Be very careful when wind and waves are going in the same direction. It is very hard to escape whitewash.
I had an impact vest on. It was very difficult to duck dive under big waves. But I was still glad I had it.
A leg rope can be a good idea in big surf.
Be sensible and don't push your luck.
Look out for each other.
Steve