Not always Toby.

If its a sea-breeze, then the wind will only be in a band near the shore. Think of it like a conveyor belt the air near the water is moving towards land and the air high up away. Somewhere out in the ocean it just stops. How far out depends a bit on the weather factors.

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Gunnar

he has a rescue service, which activates once he sends a signal.

I heard, if he was prepared he should be able to survive 24-48 hrs.

so, there is hope!

read THIS for more info:

From the article it sounds like he's gonna get to land before they are able to find him at sea.

What the hell good is a rescue signal if they can't find you even when you activate it?

Sure hope he gets back ok.

yes, somehow strange. Will be interesting to hear the full story!

The way he's been signalling might mean that he doesn't realise that the 911 signal doesn't give his position.

Only when he sends the help signal does his position get transmitted?

he was moving upwind for 59 minutes before he sent the last 911 HELP which means that if he wasn't rescued he must have fixed his kite / found his board and continued sailing before he sent 911 HELP again,you can find his last known position here: http://masterkiteboarding.com/index/redseacross.php, btw what the hell the Arabians have been doing for the last 9 hours knowing his position and not finding him yet ??? In Poland, SAR chopper would be in the air in 10 mins after first HELP signal and it's a normal thing innit ?

there's been a dramatic request from the lost kitesurfer's family at Polish kiteforum to anyone who has contacts in Saudi Arabia to maybe recommend a local contact who may be able to help in some way, because it's become apparent now that Saudi's SAR really struggle to find him, Local SAR will probably stop searching in about 90 minutes as it is getting dark over there, but maybe there is a chance to hire a private vessel and continue searching after it gets dark. The kitesurfer is unlikely to survive another night so if you think you can help, I'm publishing Janek's family phone number which they published at Polish kiteforum: 0048 606264466.

I think you should go on wikipedia and read about Saudi Arabia.
Sorry for my prejudice, but I believe they think "they have better things to do".

I have some general knowledge on Saudi Arabia, know what you mean and do realise that Saudi's standards are far from what is "normal" in UE countries, but there's a man's life at stake !!

It's already got dark there and there is no info whatsoever whether or not the rescue action is being continued