Kayaker Rescued In Gale Force Winds At Plimmerton

The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has just returned from rescuing a kayaker in trouble at Plimmerton, just north of Wellington. At about 4:50 pm police communications notified the Westpac Rescue Helicopter that two kayakers were in the water, in trouble, between Plimmerton and Titahi Bay. The helicopter battled winds of nearly 100 kph around Wellington's South Coast to reach the search area.

Once in the area the two kayakers were spotted clinging to one kayak, attempting to kick their way into shore but having little success with high waves and gale force winds between 55 and 90 kph.

"The high winds made for a difficult rescue" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter pilot Harry Stevenson. "We used the wind and waves to our advantage and towed our harness to the kayak and one of the guys got into the harness quickly".

The rescued man was taken to shore where police, fire and ambulance personnel were waiting.

"Once we rescued the first guy the second guy managed to jump in the kayak and make his way safely to shore so we returned to base".

Apparently the two men were in separate, single kayaks when one got dumped into the water and separated from his kayak. The second man came to his aid and using the remaining kayak they attempted to make it to shore.

We understand that neither man required medical attention and that the second kayak was retrieved by a wind surfer in the area.

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