Below is a response I tried to reply to a news article.

It may be a good idea to collect all events where kitesurfers helped the community ie rescued swimmers etc so if there is any bad press kiters can use this info to turn it around. In WA kiter saved a dad and 2 kids. Don't know how many there are but I know of 3 rescues locally by kiters.

Does the NSWKBA AKSA or some one have a list of things like this?

Can other kiters post there rescue stories on the forum to get a good list together?

This may help when talking to councils.

Just my 2c worth, no harm trying....

========================

I am a kite surfer for 10 years, I am 36 and I design kites, here is what I did today. I went kiting at Fishermans beach at about 3pm Saturday 27/11/2010, the waves were large up to 3 meters measuring the front at the peak to trough and Collaroy beach was closed, there where strong rips and undertows.

At about 5pm I noticed a father and son on a blue foam board about 150 meters out from Collaroy beach near the Collaroy swimming pool, I kited up and could see they both looked exhausted as they had been trying to paddle in to shore for some time against a strong rip and they where getting washed out to sea and large waves.

I kited up near them and asked if they where ok, The father pointed to his son to take him into shore, the son looked about 15 years old, dark hair, black speedos, I asked him to put his arm around my shoulders while I positioned my board and 13m kite for the rescue, once he was attached I worked my kite and towed him in past the waves and rocks to safety at Collaroy beach. He was quite grateful and said thanks.

Then I kited back out through the waves to check on I assume the dad with the blue foam board. I asked if he was able to use the board to catch some waves back to the beach, he said OK, so off I went to play in the waves. After 2 waves, about 8 minutes I could see the father was not getting anywhere, so back I go to ask if he is ok. Its then I assume he cant speak English or is in shock, he waves at me for help, he is looking extremely tired and worn out, exhausted, no energy left after swimming franticly against a strong rip and large waves for an unknown amount of time. I tell him to grab onto me and begin towing him through the waves and past the rocks to the safety of Collaroy beach.

I asked if he is ok, no reply, I say hi my name chris, no reply, off he stagers in the shallows up to I assume his family of 3 daughters and 2 other men who where watching from Collaroy swimming pool.

The beach was closed and there where no life guards in sight. There where no surfers and a swimmer or a surfer would not have been able to do what a kite surfer could have. There was no sign of any other rescue attempt being made and chances are if I was not there at that time rescue may have come too late.

This is a true event that happened today, The father looked about 120kg, 45-50, hairy chest and back, not much hair on his head, bad English or in shock, both wearing black speedos, dark hair and both could have most likely drowned as there was no other rescue source in sight and the rip would have dragged them into 3m waves crashing onto rocks and I would assume they where tourists and/or bad swimmers as no one with any experience in reading the waves would attempt to go for a swim and there were beach closed signs in the sand .

I have been kiting for 10 years and have heard of othere events like this happening, in Western Australia a kiter saved the lives of a father and 2 kids caught in a rip. On the Northern beaches Mark Barnet , rescued people on a boat who had run out of petrol and where being washed towards rocks.

It is a fact that Kite surfers are responsible for saving the lives of a number of swimmers.

===========

Onya Chris - good job mate!

I know that AKSA was awarding 'Kite Heroes' status to kiters over time who conducted rescues where lives were at risk. These were to be published on the AKSA and State association sites. I haven't done a search to see whether this has happened, but I know that 'Kite Hero' status was awarded to several people at the AKSA AGM earlier this year in Sydney.

Perhaps AKSA could let us all know what the outcome was?

Chirs,

Indeed those rips at Collaroy can be quite strong. Swam out the other day to save a fully released kite before it hit the rocks, certainly took some effort, so it sounds like those two swimmers where indeed lucky to have you about.

Have also noticed you efforts to protect our freedom on the northern beaches:

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes

A thanks from me. Suggest you send a letter to the editor, stating your actions, pretty sure they would print it. Good idea for the readers to see the flip side of the coin.

personally, I try to always rig-up down wind of the beach goers, and use gesticulations and shouts to keep them well clear when sorting myself out on the beach. I encourage others to do the same, as I would prefer not to be limited by launch and land limited spots.

Matthew.

Nice one Chris!

Maybe Seabreeze could set up a separate forum to record genuine rescue by Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Robbo2099 said...

Nice work Chris. It will be interesting to see if the newspaper takes as much interest in a piece of news with some real value as it did in the original topic.

BTW, here is a another article in the same paper that features the person who made the initial complaint to Warringah Council. (Josef Brown)

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes

So how many kite surfers want to call and complain to the council first day Josef Brown does a training session? or set up a picnic in the middle of it and complain about it? I don't want to be brushed by a smelly sweaty person on my way through the park to the beach........ Meh... keep the peace.....

A kite boarder rescued some unconscious jet skiiers in port melbourne.

www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-psychologist-rescues-drowning-woman-after-albert-park-jetski-accident-20100225-p41x.html

waveslave said...

GriffinKites said...

I kited up and could see they both looked exhausted as they had been trying to paddle in to shore for some time against a strong rip and they where getting washed out to sea and large waves.


Then I kited back out through the waves to check on I assume the dad with the blue foam board. I asked if he was able to use the board to catch some waves back to the beach, he said OK, so off I went to play in the waves.

The father looked about 120kg, 45-50, hairy chest and back, not much hair on his head

===========

Hi Griff,
It's commendable what you did.
But the way you tell the story ... it's so weird.
lol.
Just one question:
After you saved the kid, why did you go off to play in the waves ?
(your words, not mine.)
Why didn't you save the Dad straight away ?
(You left him to his own devices for a time.)
That's the bit that I don't get.

Read what I wrote above:

"Then I kited back out through the waves to check on I assume the dad with the blue foam board. I asked if he was able to use the board to catch some waves back to the beach, he said OK, so off I went "

Before it was the dad and kid on one board trying paddle in. after the kid was rescued I kited back and parked next to the dad who was on his board paddling for waves. He gave the thumbs up all was ok after I asked if he could catch waves in ( much easier without 2 people on his board )