At Byron Bay today at the wreck a kiter saved 3 swimmers caught in a rip. It triggered a major incident report with police and ambulance in attendance. The three were body surfing when dragged out to sea by a large rip. It is the same place where two people drowned earlier this year. The rescuer Michel Blinkhorn, a local female kiter responded to their screams for help by leaving her surfboard with one, and body dragging the guy in the most trouble first. Then returning to drag in the next guy, before a surfer ran down to paddle out and help collect the last guy with the board. It was a huge effort as she is less than 45kg and one of the guys had to be 110 kg dragging him on her 2013 cabrinha drifter 5.5m with him hanging onto her harness and locking her feet under his shoulders. I wouldn't be surprised if it appears in press as police attending were preparing an official report. I have no doubts, (and neither did the police and rescued swimmers) the outcome would have been tragic if she wasn't there. With a lot of negative press around Byron and kiting I thought I'd share this good news story. 
Nice one. Body dragging dudes from out at sea is no easy task. she must have been stuffed afterward.
Yeah! Good stuff! looking forward to seeing the article, hope somebody posts it on here
That's great Michel, absolutely brilliant.
Pearl, could you send your message as a press release to the Echo and Byron Shire News? When we wrote submissions to keep access a few years ago, one of the points I made was that kitesurfers occassionally helped save lives. The council dismissed it, with some comtempt. I've had to pull people out of rips on two ocassions, and I'm sure others have been in the same situation, but no-one makes a song and dance about it. Which is a pity, because the only press we get is from idiots saying that we are a danger.
awesome .Well done .(where do I know that name?) Tis a shame that local authorites who are quick to diss kiters and ban us forget that there are quite a number of people living today who would otherwise be dead if not for the quick thinking of a local kiter .Most of us do the right thing and more .this is a truly heroic deed in tricky challenging and dangerous conditions .The girl deserves admiration and a medal .Ii loath how the word" hero" is bandied around nowadays with reckless abandon but this is a heroic and inspiring feat.
Nice work!
Super effort Michel, great to see anyone going to the Aid of a swimmer/s in trouble, especially at a time when kitesurfing in the bay is being questioned by certain authorities etc. A few years ago a young traveller broke their neck whilst swimming up 7 mile beach Lennox Head, a near by kite school observed the man face down and rescued him from the water with the mans friend and administered first aid...unfortunately the press didnt mention the quick actions of the kite school...i also know many situations where fishermen and surfers have rescued people from drowning. Once again...great stuff Michel
Thanks guys for all positive feed back..I'm just glad there was someone there for these guys..don't like to think of the consequences otherwise..amazing how the adrenalin kicks in and you just automatically do what you have to do....probably should have been on the 7m so had to fly the 5-5 drifter in overdrive as the combined payload was somewhat beyond its normal capabilities in that wind strength....and yep was definitely wasted....hope the guys are feeling better today...
Great rescue Michel. Good skills and decision making in a high pressure situation. Good easily have been a real disaster. Well done!
Great effort Michel,a person small in physical statue with the heart of a lion.What might not have been a big deal to you at the time,will be acknowledged by your kite buddies and moreso mainstream society as truly heroic.
Definitely not legend ... just right place right time and adrenalin helped get these guys in ..
,Didn't realise you had moved Michel .Again a big well done and hi
