Seattle Fire Department rescue boat 5 responded to a windsurfer in distress on Sunday July 18, helping him out of water and bringing him back to shore. He was not injured.
Photo by Kimberly Robinson
A large scale response from Seattle Police and Fire Department people took place on Sunday night, July, after callers to 911 reported a windsurfer in trouble off Alki Beach.
Numerous beach parties came to a near halt as the police and fire crews rushed to the beach.
About 120 yards off shore, roughly across from 62nd Ave SW, a man appeared to be struggling with the sail on his board, popping up, then falling repeatedly.
According to witnesses on the beach he had been out for some time and windsurfing successfully but late in the day around 8:30pm he fell off and began to struggle.
He was wearing a wetsuit so the water temperature was not an issue.
SFD Rescue Boat 5 responded and helped him out of the water, bringing his board and sail aboard. He required no medical attention.
Kitesurfer, not a windsurfer