An enjoyable paddle unexpectedly became a terrifying encounter for a local kayaker, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: NSRI recovers body of second drowning victim in Victoria Bay incident
Every week, Chris van den Heever paddles his surf ski at Strand, and on 19 September, his expedition began as usual for the seasoned sixty-year-old paddler.
‘I often paddle by myself, but always with a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), cellphone with the SafeTRX app open on my phone in a plastic cellphone pouch, as well as an ankle leash,’ Chris says.
Users of the free SafeTRX app can map their desired course before sailing or paddling, store important emergency numbers that NSRI can use in the event that you do not return from a trip, and ask for help with just a button click. Additionally, it enables the NSRI to track your precise location throughout your journey.
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‘I set out on a paddle from Strand towards Gordons Bay on my Fenn Swordfish, with a very light south-westerly wind blowing,’ Chris recalls. ‘The surf at launch was larger and more challenging than normal, so once in, I took a deeper line towards Gordons Bay. The swells at the backline opposite the Strand Pavillion, the so-called Poortjie area, were bigger than normal, but I thought I was deep enough.’
Suddenly, an unusually large wave formed on Chris’ seaward side. ‘I turned my ski ninety degrees to face the wave, but I realised it was going to break in front of me. The wave caused my ankle leash to snap and the ski was gone. I later saw it had broken into two pieces. I realised I was too far from the coast to attempt to swim to shore, especially given the temperature of the water.’
Chris immediately activated his SafeTRX app. ‘I could see that the NSRI was trying to phone me, but I had trouble swiping the phone through the plastic pouch. I eventually managed to answer the call and while the voice on the other side was very faint, I described my position and the state of affairs. The caller identified me correctly as Chris,’ Chris says.
Chris was able to swim to one half of his surf ski while still holding his paddle, which he somehow hung onto when the wave hit. He could see more incoming calls from the NSRI, but he could not respond through the plastic pouch. In desperation, he removed the phone from the pouch and contacted the NSRI back. He was told that help was already on its way.
‘I spent about 60 minutes in the water and the cold was setting in quickly. On arrival at the scene, the two-man crew from Station 9, Gordon’s Bay, immediately spotted me,’ Chris says.
Chris escaped the incident with only a few stitches to close a wound on his hand. He is really grateful for his rescue, which was made possible in large part by downloading the SafeTRX app.
‘I would have drowned were it not for the rescue performed by the NSRI. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the organisation and the critical role they play for all occupants of sea craft,’ he says.
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Click here to download the SafeTRX app
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Picture: NSRI
