A 43-year-old man was rescued after a large-scale search operation was launched when he went missing while paddling on a windsurf board off the coast of Bloubergstrand yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 16 June).

Emergency services were mobilised shortly after 15:00 following reports from the public who noticed the man appearing to be in distress offshore near Ons Huisie restaurant.

According to Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, multiple eyewitnesses alerted the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre after spotting the paddler struggling in rough conditions.

“The NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene, while our Melkbosstrand duty crew launched the rescue craft West Coast Relief. Big Bay Surf Lifesaving and the City of Cape Town’s water rescue network were also activated,” Marais said.

Extensive search launched

As rescue teams made their way to the scene, witnesses reported that the paddler could no longer be seen from the shoreline.

This prompted an extensive sea and shoreline search involving NSRI rescue crews, Big Bay Surf Lifesaving lifeguards, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Risk Management, Community Medics, Western Cape Government Health EMS, the police and the West Coast coast watchers network.

An EMS rescue helicopter was placed on standby while a rescue squad drone unit was dispatched to assist in locating the missing man.

Found among rocks at Kids Rock

During the search operation, crews located the paddler trapped among rocks at Kids Rock.

An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed from the rescue craft and reached the man before securing him and assisting with his rescue from the rocky shoreline.

“The man was located between the rocks at Kids Rock. An NSRI rescue swimmer reached him from the rescue craft and secured him before he was brought safely aboard,” Marais said.

The rescue craft transported the man to shore at Small Bay, where paramedics immediately began treatment.

Treated for hypothermia

The paddler was found to be suffering from hypothermia and was described as being in a serious condition when rescued.

After receiving emergency medical treatment on the beach, he was transported by ambulance to hospital. Marais said the man was stabilised before being taken to a medical facility, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

The windsurf board was later recovered.

Teamwork credited for life-saving rescue

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon praised the coordinated response by all agencies involved in the operation.

“This rescue highlights the value of rapid reporting by eyewitnesses and the outstanding cooperation between multiple emergency services. Their swift response and teamwork played a critical role in ensuring that this man was found and rescued alive,” Lambinon said.

The man, who is from Limpopo and is understood to be living in the Bloubergstrand area, had reportedly been paddling on a windsurf board when he encountered difficulties offshore.

The NSRI has commended all responding agencies whose combined efforts contributed to the successful rescue and is reminding water users to be aware of weather and sea conditions before venturing onto the water.

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