SAVED!

ricki · Since 30 Jun 2006 26 Posts

- Winter in Northern California and big waves are running

- Two surfers are flushed a mile out to sea in a 5 kt. rip current

- No one knows they are out there, sunset is approaching

- Exhausted from fighting the current they drift further offshore, deeper into cold and despair

- Hope slowly grows from the sea in an unexpected and unusual form ...

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BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Great Post Rick!

And thanks to Ray for saving those guys, Next stop woulda' been the Farrallons where the big guys feed! Shocked

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

Ray is a hero, those 2 guys are way lame for taking off!

sounds like it was a close call for all 3 though, perhaps a better approach would have been to go into shore and call 911 - pretty sure they have cell coverage at stinson...

the coast guard are itching to go for a ride in the chopper, they'll save your ass and thank you for the opportunity

ricki · Since 30 Jun 2006 26 Posts

Thanks Raul, Ray definitely pulled an impressive rescue off.

True, I see the eagerness to go to the beach here in SE Florida among rescue crews. In hindsight there are always options and perhaps better ways to go at things. Still, sometimes guys handle things on the spot as they're dealt. Ray did very well despite conditions.

I agree, guys that head offshore intentionally or accidentally should carry stuff to help out when things go wrong. Paul Menta carries signaling gear inside his paddle. Still, they aren't all that hard to lose. If I was heading out into thinly populated areas away from shore I would carry a small waist pack. Throw in some signaling gear, a cell phone if there is service in a waterproof pouch, I.D., etc. and forget about it.