Marine rescue crew save stranded surfer

A kite surfer was rescued on Sunday afternoon after strong winds and choppy waters proved too much and he lost his kite board.

The distressed surfer spent two hours floating on his kite in the rough conditions, before a bystander at Pages beach noticed him and called Marine Rescue Geraldton.

A five-crew rescue team on board vessel Nashira was immediately sent to the man’s aid. Vice-commander Damien Healy said the rescue pulled the man from the water 30 minutes after they had received the 12.46pm call.

“It’s very lucky someone at the beach noticed he was struggling in the choppy surf,” he said.

“It was a great outcome, the surfer was very relieved to be rescued. If a little sea sick.”

Mr Healy said the man had lost his kite board two hours earlier in the day and had done well by remaining calm floating on his bright yellow kite.

“He was hard to see but we were able to follow instructions from the caller and locate him,” he said. “It was a good team effort all round.”