Spirit of Surfski 2 launches to assist surfskier

21 year old surfskier, Craig Flanagan, from St James. Pic: Kelly-Ann Irving (NSRI Kommetjie)At 13h55, Friday, 05th June, NSRI Simon's Town crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following eye-witnesses reports of a surfskier in difficulty off Kalk Bay.NSRI Simon's Town launched the sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF SURFSKI 2 and CMR (Cape Medical Response) responded.NSRI Kommetjie volunteers, that happened to be driving on Boyes Drive at the time, had witnessed the incident and they had raised the alarm.Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie, said that they were driving home along Boyes Drive when they noticed the surfskier in the water and his surfski broken in half about 100 meters off Kalk Bay harbour.We responded to Kalk Bay harbour while activating Sea Rescue Simon's Town, said Ian.From the harbour wall we monitored the surfskier who swam safely to the harbour after abandoning his broken surf ski, said Ian.Shark Spotters had also spotted the surfskier in difficulty and kept a vigil on the surf-skier from their elevated post on Boyes Drive.Once safely ashore the surfskier, 21 year old Craig Flanagan, from St James and an experienced Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving lifeguard, was assessed by CMR paramedics and he required no medical attention, said Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon's Town station commander.On arrival on the scene our crew aboard our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF SURFSKI 2 located the two parts of the paddlers surf-ski which were recovered from the water and they were returned to the paddler, said Darren.It appears that the surfski was broken in two by a breaking wave.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew