Kite Surfer Stranded on Deserted Beach Devises Ingenious Rescue Method

A kite surfer stranded on a remote piece of Northern Californian beach was rescued after employing an ingenious, attention-grabbing method favored by stranded travelers since the beginning of time.

The unidentified adventurer was trapped on a rocky piece of Davenport Beach, about 25 miles southwest of San Jose. With the tide slowly encroaching on the little beach remaining and a steep wall of jagged rock between him and the road, the desperate surfer used rocks he collected to form the word “HELP” in gigantic letters atop the sand. Luckily, a passenger in a private helicopter passing overhead caught sight of the message and summoned rescuers.

However, when extraction units arrived they were unable to land their helicopter on the dissipating beach. A first responder was instead sent down on a winch to extract the kite surfer.

Harrowing video of the rescue, posted Sunday by the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, shows the adventurer being hoisted into the air by his rescuer and lifted off of the deserted beach. Another video shows the helicopter depositing the lucky man and his rescuer into a large, open field adjacent to the dunes.

It’s unclear for how long the kite surfer was stranded on the beach, but he miraculously suffered no injuries. He has not given any public comment regarding the incident, and his identity remains undisclosed.

A kite surfer was rescued off a beach south of Davenport Landing after being stranded. He used rocks on the beach to spell out the word “HELP.” He was spotted by a private helicopter who then called for well, help! #CaWx @sccounty (MORE ⬇️) #California pic.twitter.com/wpUbTDlis6

— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) June 10, 2024