Stranded kite surfer’s “HELP” message on Santa Cruz County beach leads to rescue

Written by Carlos Castaneda

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KPIX-TV)- A kite surfer stranded on the Santa Cruz County coastline used a bit of ingenuity to help get himself rescued, authorities said.

CAL FIRE said in a social media post Sunday the kite surfer became stranded on a beach south of Davenport Landing. He used rocks on the beach to spell out the word "HELP" and was eventually spotted by a private helicopter pilot who did indeed call for help.

Crews from CAL FIRE Santa Cruz County Fire Department, and California State Parks worked together to rescue the kite surfer, using a rescue helicopter to extract him off the beach. 

He was not injured but just needed assistance getting off the beach surrounded by steep cliffs, CAL FIRE said.