Stand-up paddler rescued after being blown out to sea in strong winds

At 12h39, Sunday, 4 September, NSRI Simonstown were alerted by NSRI coastwatchers, at Muizenberg, of a male on a SUP (stand up paddle board) appearing to be drifting out to sea in strong winds at Muizenberg Beach.

NSRI Strandfontein and NSRI Simonstown duty crews were activated.

By that stage NSRI were receiving multiple calls from eye-witnesses observing the paddler on his SUP being blown out to sea.

The NSRI Strandfontein rescue craft Grand West CSI and Sharon were launched. NSRI Simonstown rescue craft Donna Nicholas was prepared for launch.

City of Cape Town (CoCT) Law Enforcement officers and NSRI Strandfontein crew responded to Muizenberg and they got visuals of the male on the SUP and at that stage he was about a nautical mile off-shore and in gusting up to 40 knot winds he was gradually being swept further out to sea.

The 2 NSRI Strandfontein rescue craft located the 21 year old local man 2 nautical miles off-shore and he was recovered onto the rescue craft with his SUP and brought to shore.

It appears that while paddling in the surf zone he had been caught in increasing off-shore winds preventing him from returning to shore.

He was treated for hypothermia and he required no further assistance.