Surf-skiers go 'extra mile'

2008-06-29 21:08

Durban - Rescuers searching for two surf-skiers who had gone missing during a race from Durban found them - 20km beyond the finish line.

NSRI deputy station commander Andrew Stevens said: "About 12:40 we activated rescue craft Eikos Rescuer II and Megan II and our rescue vehicle after a call for help from race safety co-ordinators.

They reported that two surf-skiers, Garth van der Walt of Johannesburg and Steven de Robillard of Durban, were overdue at the finish line during the Durban Surf-ski World Championship 2008 from Vetjies Pier, Durban, to Westbrook Beach near Ballito.

"A search already was under way involving the 11 safety stand-by rescue craft on-duty for the race - comprising craft from Durban Ski-boat Club, lifeguards and Sea Rescue.

Heading up the coast

"Race safety co-ordinators had also sent out a fixed-wing aircraft from Virginia Flight School when it became apparent that the two surf-skiers had overshot the finish line and were still at sea heading further up the coast.

"Shortly into the search, both overdue surf-skiers were located by the fixed-wing aircraft about 20km further up the coast, past the finish line near Prince's Grant.

"The aircraft indicated to the surf-skiers to head to the beach and lifeguards and our NSRI rescue vehicle were sent to check on their condition. Both were fine despite normal race exhaustion.

Stevens said: "It appears the wind in the same direction as the race caused the two surf-skiers to overshoot the finish line in their enthusiasm and end up almost 20km past the finish line before the rescuers caught up to them."

The men were brought back to the finish line by road.

- News24