Massive search for kite surfers

EMERGENCY services from all over Port Elizabeth were activated when two kite surfers, aged 21 and 25, found themselves in difficulty near Schoenmakerskop yesterday afternoon.

Port Elizabeth National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) station commander Ian Gray said they received the emergency call shortly before 5pm.

"A group of about nine kite surfers went into the water at Schoenmakerskop.

"One of them lost his kite in the wind and came ashore to borrow another kite to go looking for the one he lost.

"He managed to lose that one as well, so he and another surfer ended up using one kite."

Gray said members from the NSRI, Coastal Water Rescue, the municipal beach office and even the perlemoen anti-poaching squad were called out to help in the search, as the light was fading.

"Josh Dippenaar, 21, and Jovan Wright, 25, ended up letting go of a third kite and paddled their way to shore.

They managed to get themselves out of the water near Sardinia Bay without any injuries.

Gray said his team checked up on the two, but they did not need any assistance. – Riaan Marais