CAAVENPORT, D.C. On Sunday, a kite surfer was successfully rescued by CalFire helicopter after he used rocks to write the word HELP in the sand.
The rock formation that saved the kite surfer’s life off a beach south of Davenport in Santa Cruz County was included in a video of the rescue that the state fire service posted on social media.
The SOS appeal was noticed by a private helicopter pilot in the late afternoon, who notified the staff of California state parks, Cal Fire, and Santa Cruz Fire.
“We flew out to the coast there in Davenport and got the aircraft rigged up for the rescue pretty quickly,” stated Captain Sean Ketchum of the Cal Fire Alma Helittack Base in Los Gatos.
The surfer was hauled from the beach to the cliffside above by the helicopter crew, according to CalFire’s footage, using a long line.
The duration of the unnamed kite surfer’s stranding on the beach prior to his rescue remains unclear.
Cal Fire said the kite surfer only needed to be lifted off the isolated beach and didn’t require any medical attention.
According to others who know the area, the man was probably trapped because of strong gusts and choppy waves.
A surfer who wished to remain anonymous, Dan, said, “It can get pretty gnarly and the wind can come up, especially in the afternoons.” A number of kite surfers and windsurfers frequent this spot. “Sometimes they go to far and get down the beach, and it can be pretty steep cliffs.”
“This new Blackhawk helicopter is very powerful and really handled the wind great and didn’t affect any of our operations at all as far as the rescue goes,” stated Ketchum.
The pilot with the keen eyesight who noticed the assistance sign departed before the rescuers could say “thank you,” and the surfer has not been seen since the rescue.
As beach season gets underway, officials say this is a reminder to always check conditions before entering the ocean.