Someone get into trouble on Sat? Apparently its in the Journal?

Lifeboats News Release
Kite surfer in distress in Budle Bay

Date: 13/08/2011

Author: Ian Clayton, Lifeboat Operations Manager

At 7.30pm on Saturday (13 August), the coastguard requested the immediate launch of the RNLI Seahouses lifeboat, following a 999 call reporting a kite surfer in distress in Budle Bay.

Both lifeboats were launched and quickly under way, proceeding directly to Budle Bay.

Just prior to their arrival, the kite surfer had become detached from his kite and had managed to reach the shoreline unaided.

The lifeboats began a search of Budle Bay for his kite, which could pose a hazard to vessels in the area, as long as it was floating on or just under the surface of the water.

The volunteer crew of the all-weather lifeboat located and recovered the kite, bringing it back to Seahouses Lifeboat Station.

The surfer was informed of its location, and given safety advice by local shore based coastguard rescue officers. He did not require any medical attention.

Both lifeboats then returned to station.

Airo were there I have herd no stories

I was there and watched the whole thing happen.....

Wind was ok for 12m plus kites on Saturday, but had the potential to drop off to nothing every so often and then get back up again, typical SW conditions. Once the tide had turned that was my queue to pack up and call it a day as South West wind and a strong outgoing tide results in only one thing happening……. 3 people turned up as the tide was half way out (Tide was pulling out hard at this point) and decided to go out, wind was really light at this point, maybe 10-15mph! Again, with the wind this light and the tide going the same way in which the wind was, means you are going to shoot off downwind for sure!

First off, a guy on a 16m North Rebel dropped his kite in the water at this point and had no chance on re-launching it as he/kite and wind were going out with the tide. He must of decided to pull the safety and eventually the fifth line must have had a lot of tension on it, resulting in the leading edge going bang! However, he managed to make it back before going out with the tide.

His friend on another kite managed to drop his kite in the water after trying to kitesurf near the mouth of the bay. Obviously, with this in mind, he and the kite started to get into difficulties as they were both getting pulled out into the sea with the out going tide. Someone must have called the lifeboat as the inshore lifeboat came racing up from Seahouses, by this time the bloke who was flying the kite pulled his release and swam back to shore, leaving his kite and lines to drift out to sea. The inshore lifeboat must have thought the person involved was still in danger in the water as they started a search for at this point was a missing kitesurfer. At this point, the person involved was walking back up the bay towards where they set up. Next, the all weather lifeboat came up after another call from a member of the public and started searching for the kitesurfer. I then rang the coastguard to tell them that the person involved was out of danger and only that kite needed rescuing guiding them to the floating kite from the caravan window.

I know this is harsh, but for the persons involved, I hope this is a valuable lesson learnt! Please make sure you are aware of the dangers and more importantly ask your self these questions when setting up:

Why is everybody else packing up?

What wind/tide is forecast?

What are the dangers/hazards?

I am sure that you would have had a scare that will be with you for some time, but you need to be aware of any local hazards, may that be wind, tide or location that could potential put you or your kite in danger. Additionally, once safe another phone call to the coastguard may have been helpful to inform them that everyone is safe as when I rang they were looking for a man in the water. If it wasn’t for my phone call, I am sure they would have been searching for a good hour or so before they had realised that you were safe.

Please be aware of what you are doing before going out as result of unfortunate mishaps, resulted in a £4000 rescue by the RNLI, which could have been easily avoided.

At the end of the day, everyone is safe and well which is the main thing, but please REMEMBER: kitesurfing at Budle Bay is only suitable two hours eitherside of high tide.

Well said Andrew.

A costly mistake. Glad nobody was hurt. It is well publicised on this website and others that Budle Bay is a serious hazard on a west wind on an outgoing tide.

just in case anyone was wondering despite having a 16m rebel this wasnt me. Due to exams im not getting out till then end of sept. Dont think there is any wind till then anyway

But its a good job everyone was ok none the less