Search for missing kite surfers in west Oz

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Search for missing kite surfers
February 5, 2008 - 11:01AM

Police are searching for two kite surfers missing on a trip to Augusta, in Western Australia's southwest.

The 38 and 34-year-old men left Windy harbour around 8am (WDT) yesterday intending to kite surf to Augusta, 50 nautical miles away, police said.

But police were alerted when they had not arrived by 9pm (WDT) last night.

The two experienced kite surfers had provisions for one or two days. They had food, water and sleeping bags.

Police began a land and air search at first light today.

Onshore winds in the region suggest the men should have been blown towards land.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Two men have been found after going missing during a kite surfing trip in Western Australia's south-west.

The 38 and 34-year-old men left Windy Harbour about 8am (WDT) on Monday intending to kite surf to Augusta, 50 nautical miles away, police said.

But police were alerted when they failed to arrive by 9pm (WDT) on Monday.

The two experienced kite surfers had provisions for one or two days, including food, water, sleeping bags and an emergency beacon.

Police began a land and air search at first light on Tuesday and a fixed-wing aircraft spotted them after they activated the emergency beacon about 9.30am

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Feb 05, 08 9:11 am

Emergency Beacon? WTF people?

What ever happened to carrying your testicles?

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

"What ever happened to carrying your testicles?"

How would holding those little things help you get found? Twisted Evil

Nak · Tue Feb 05, 08 2:22 pm

If these guys were planning on riding to somewhere 50 miles away, I'm thinking they were carrying big ol' knarly testicles! Locater beacon probably a really good idea on a trip like that...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Feb 05, 08 2:47 pm

Sure, it would be a good idea to carry a beacon. It's also a good idea to plan out the logistics, weather patterns, emergency situations, etc to ensure that you can complete your journey.

I would think that if your striking out on a big adventure, you would plan to be self reliant.

The fact that they were carrying a freakin eperb with them sort of speaks to the idea that they just thought "well, if we get into trouble, we'll just trigger the eperb and wait for the calvary".. and that is exactly what they did.
They had food and water for two days and after the wind died on the first day, they camped overnight on shore. The next morning, rather than nutting up and hiking it, or waiting till later in the day to see if the winds came up, they just called to be rescued--triggering an aerial and ground based search team.

and that's NOT hardcore, that's weak.

Nak · Tue Feb 05, 08 2:58 pm

You're absolutely right. If they planned on simply relying on the beacon then no respect there. I'd really like to hear the whole story behind this one. What preparations were made, what their backup plans were. I'd like to think they had a good plan and shit just happened. Hopefully we'll hear some updates!

Sounds like an adventure, but kiting with provisions, sleeping bags, etc sounds like more work than fun... That said, I do think it's pretty cool when people push the envelope and try new things...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Feb 05, 08 3:30 pm

I realize I sound harsh, but coming from a climbing background, I was always taught that asking for a rescue was only an option in dire situations. I saw one of the guys as quoted "well, its not much fun going to sleep when your not quite sure where you are, but it wasn't terribly difficult or anything"

Maybe Australia has lots of tax dollars to spend on rescues. Again, they were rescued ON LAND with sleeping gear, water and food.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I am going to respectfully disagree. From the story it soudns as if the search had started already when they didn't show up. By activating the beacon they probably saved people a lot of time and money, but this of course is based upon the limited details that we know of.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Mountain Monkey,

I didn't see where it said they were found on land. Did you find some additional info? I been looking for an update from the news with more info but there hasn't been any.

Question

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Feb 05, 08 4:23 pm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/05/2154759.htm?site=southwestwa

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=145&ContentID=57256

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23162941-2761,00.html

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

calvary is where jesus was crucified
the cavalry is probably what he meant

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Maybe a waterproof sat-phone would have been a better option. Call in and say you're running late. Probably bring both tho.