And it was me!
I was having a grand session off the point at Umina on Saturday, until I kited too close to the shore on the far side of the channel.
I had thought to myself that I was getting a little close and gybed back when the wind just died in the arse and my kite just fell out of the sky.
I spent 5 minutes getting it back in the air to have exactly the same thing happen again 30 seconds later while I was dragging back towards the beach.
My mate came over to try to get my board, which was being swept rapidly towards pittwater and got himself in exactly they same scenario.
A good samaritan heading up the channel in a fishing boat retrieved my board for me, and from there my mate and I both self rescued and were just starting the long swim back in when the MSB (are they still called that?) popped over in two boats.
We figured discretion was the better part of valour and accepted their kindly offer of a lift back to the beach.
I want to send something to them to show my gratitude, but the Martime website will only tell me where the office is to get my boat license renewed. Does anyone know where the actual boats are based?
SB
MSB? Are you referring to the Marine Rescue guys?
There are crews at Cottage Point and Broken Bay who operate rescue boats in the area.
Here's what they look like:
marinerescuensw.com.au/
I volunteer with they guys at Broken Bay but you could also have encountered the Cottage Point crew. Both patrol this area.
If this is who you are referring to, let me know and I'll put you in contact with the right folks.
Glad you made it back safely. Great kite spot there but not without it's challenges.
Rob