Cape Times, 27 Dec 2005,
The NSRI in Simon's Town, South Africa received a call for help yesterday when Alan Witherden, 56, from Parkwood, Johannesburg, fell off his surf-ski near Glencairn. His friend, John Rhynes, from Constantia, paddled to shore to call for help.

After a brief search by NSRI and Cape Medical Response crews, Witherden was spotted clinging to his surf-ski a mile off Fish Hoek beach, having drifted in currents, with 20 to 25 knot south-easterly winds and 1.5-metre swells.

A Metro Rescue Red Cross AMS helicopter crew lowered NSRI rescue swimmer PJ Veldhuizen into the waves. He hooked Witherden to a static line and hoisted him to safety.

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written by Guest, February 02, 2006

Did they have flares or a cell phone with them? Always paddle with a partne.What happened to the ski?

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written by Guest, February 02, 2006

No and no. The ski ended up on the rocks near Kalk Bay, badly damaged.

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