(Added: WSB photos)
11:21 AM: An SFD water-rescue response was sent to Lincoln Park for reports of a possible paddleboarder in distress. We’re here and checking.
11:26 AM: “This is indeed a wind surfer and they are fine,” dispatch has just been told. The response is being dismissed.
I am wondering if that’s why I saw three emergency medical vehicles heading west on the West Seattle bridge just now?
Yes, a major initial response brings certain specialized units from the other side of the bay. Now that it’s been canceled, you should see them heading back.
Seems wind/kite surfers to do some MAJOR outreach on their sport. Been a LOT of them having 911 called on them when they’re really NOT in trouble.
It does seem like nearly every call out we read about is usually nothing…that’s good, obviously, that people were ok but happens a lot.
Well, I wonder how many wind/ kite surfers go out many days throughout the year, and they don’t have an emergency response / 911 calls. Those aren’t reported, so of course the ones that do get a 911 call, stand out. I wonder what the actual percentage would be (911 surfer/paddleboarder calls, vs, all the other kite surfers paddle boarders that didn’t have a 911 call).
Around here, I sea kayak with a VHF radio attached to my PFD to monitor VTS on channel 14, and hopefully never have to use 16 for a mayday. Perhaps windsurfers should carry a radio in these busy waters, seeing like the only time they’re out having fun is when it’s nice and windy.
Wendell. Carrying a handheld VHF is smart ANY time you’re on the water. In these cases it’d also be smart for the windsurfers and kayakers and sup users to carry a cell and preemptively let responders know they’re out there and will call if they’re in trouble.
Having a small emergency flare attached to themselves would help. I’m not hip to all the logo of the “VHF PFD VTS so if one of those is an emergency flare then forgive my ignorance. ;>)
What makes you all think that windsurfers don’t practice safety first? All of you are just assuming we don’t! You read some report and you all have it figured out. We either carry radio or cell, especially if you’re windsurfing alone. Always check condition, forecast, your rig, and plan an exit strategy. Worst case scenario you feather your way back or paddle your way back to land. This sport you learn the hard way in the beginning so you don’t repeat the same mistakes later on.
@ Del Naha. Valid points and good counter arguments to baseless assumptions.
A lot of people see a windsurfer go down and assume they are now in distress, I could be wrong but I believe windsurfing is kind of like when you first learn how to ride a bike, ice skate or surf you’re going to fall and what do you do…get back up and try again until you get it. But no matter what, you are going to fall once (or more) again and as for a bystander just don’t assume they need help but it’s good there are bystanders there in case it really is a person in need of help so a big thumbs up to you all.
Most calls regarding distress are made by people that don’t know if someone is in distress. From my own personal experience I’ve had SFD/SPD and the USCG come and check on me when I’ve been out in conditions that some would consider marginal or when I’ve been out surfing off of the seawall at Alki Point in my WW kayak. Further, I always carry a marine band VHF and I’ve never been called to check my status. An observer’s comfort and understanding is often imperfect at best.
We have a good friend who is a windsurfer and kiter who has lived in WS for decades. Typically he’s going to Hood River or Maui to get better conditions, but when it’s good (read: very windy) here he takes advantage of the opportunity.A few years ago we had one of those “windpocalaypse” predictions that dominated local news for the 2-3 days prior. On the actual day it played out to be very windy, but not near what was expected. Judging the conditions to be well manageable he launched smoothly from Alki and got a short session in. Unbeknownst to him a Q13 van was parked by Alki, essentially waiting to capture some news, as the major doom and gloom hadn’t played out. They filmed him launching and then returning, and crafted a story about him on the evening news that was dramatic and contrived. In the follow up FB post, he was tarred and feathered. My favorite quote was “Are you looking for the village idiot? There he is right there.”It’s kind of a tough situation- we are fortunate to live here with direct access to nature, which can some times be dramatic and turn on. This can give skilled prepared folks elevated recreation opportunities. But the for the majority of locals this may be out of their ken, and despite being caring and well meaning they may misjudge the situation. Skilled folks do get into trouble sometimes, but most often it’s novices who don’t understand how to recreate safely. Not sure where the answer lies but realize that one of the reasons some people choose living in Seattle (and West Seattle) is our access the the great outdoors.
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