50 mph, 47 degrees, hail and a night at sea ...

[RickI]

A post script to this story from the participant follows from NEKs via MAKA list again.

Rick Iossi

Mike-How's it feel to get that "second chance"?On my way home tonight
from the Warren Miller movie I heard 2 semi frantic voicemails from
my wife about a guy lost kiting today off Nantucket and in her thick
Brasilian accent I swore she said Mike Alpert.Thank God you survived,
she already thinks that kiting is a crazy little hobby and I would've
had to listen to "See Honey!Remember that guy in Nantucket" over and
over again.You're a lucky man Mike.Should make for a great Kitesesh
story.Brrrrrrrr...Chilly...Willy
> Hi everybody,
>
> I'm alive and well and still a lot freaked. I've had a long day
> talking to the newspapers, radio, and TV stations. Fox25 came out
> to the island to shoot the interview, check it out at 10pm. WBZ4
> also came out to shoot an interview and I think that will be on at
> 11pm.
>
> Basically, I was in the water for 6 1/2 hours and did not reach
land
> until 10:30pm. 5mil wetsuit with hood, no gloves or booties. Then
I
> had a 5 1/2 hour treck over about 12 miles to get to a phone. Most
> of the details should be in the interview but should important
> aspects get edited, I will repost the full story. I have not been
> to sleep yet, I spent 12 hours fighting for my life which was an
> emotional and mental workout and while I am physically exhausted,
my
> mind is still racing. In short, I could not count on the coast
> guard. I was invisible to them and at one point the helicopter
flew
> right over me and I swear I was in their light but they did not see
> me, and at that point I realized that I was on my own. I will post
> more but for now, try to catch the interview on tv.
>
> Michael

[moray]

Looking forward to the full report Michael.

Again, welcome back old boy.

peace out

moray

[mikes]

Anyone know what brand and model wetsuit he had? I think I want one

[RickI]

There have been a number of incidents and posts dealing with cold water kiting recently. I thought this story brings home a number of good points from a couple of years ago.

This was written up again in the last few months, I think, but unfortunately I can't seem to find the post. The new posting brought out some more details. Things like the very steep waves in the channel of the inlet caused by the outgoing tidal flood, the staging of rescue craft at a more distant location delaying rescue, very poor condition and snow/sleat obstructing visibility during the night time search by helicopter, time near sunset and Mike's efforts to swim in against a very strong outgoing tidal current.

It is a remarkable story.

[zfennell]

Anyone know what brand and model wetsuit he had? I think I want one

in this case, i think you need to
be like mike.

remarkable swim.

[kitester]

Didnt this happen once before a year or two ago? I know i have read about some guy who got pulled out by the tide, spent the night in the water, tried to swim to a bouy and then eventualy swam to land and walked to a phone. In the story I saw it even hailed while he was out. I remember the guy saying that even the though the CG boats were colse they could not hear him or see him. This sounds like the same story.

[RickI]

If you look at the original posting date, Posted: 07 Nov 2002 22:37, it probably is the same story.

Spring is coming to northern latitudes and guys are hitting the water again, if they took a winter break at all. Cold water kiting is nothing to take lightly, the factors to consider, plan and potentially compensate for make early and late season riding a more complicated and hazardous proposition than warm water kiting.

IMPORTANT: Historically the two most hazardous times of the year for kiteboarding are at the end of the season in more northerly latitudes (late fall) and the start in the spring. Powerful cold fronts are still blowing through bringing strong winds. Also, cold air and water temperatures can erode perception and lack of time on the water (or perhaps too much at the end of the season) can impact judgment and proficiency. Analyze sea and personal conditions carefully before choosing to ride in early and later season conditions. If you do decide to go, cover your bases carefully, e.g. ride with buddies, have good exposure clothing for the conditions and perhaps extended time in the water, CAREFULLY CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST and plan your ride/gear and monitor conditions continuously, take regular warmup breaks, carry emergency signalling gear (cellphone, flare, whistle..), AVOID contrary currents and winds that may carry you away from land in any conditions but particularly in cold water.

Contrary currents can always present problems. Still, in cold water with a setting sun, the added time required to sort things out can really boost the hazard level. Anything that may cause your time in the water to be increased can present problems.

[pluvious2002]

yeah, i think that's from last year, or a couple of years ago. still, it's an amazing story. a couple of things probably saved his life:

5 mil wetsuit. that's alot of wetsuit. i wonder, in comparison, the warmth provided by a drysuit (layered with fleece, etc.) vs. a 5 mil wetsuit, over the course of 5 hours in 45 degree water. anybody know any statistics on this? just curious.

also, he was smart enough not to struggle in the water against the outgoing tide. he didn't wear himself out getting frantic when he couldn't reach short. he went with the flow, even though the flow took him further out. eventually, it brought him back in.

burr. double burrrrrr....