was out Fri afternoon outside the sandbar enjoying a supreme lightwind sesh when I heard screaming and yelling, panic actually. I turned around and
noticed 3 souls in the water and one in duress. About 30 minutes earlier I noticed a family (3 people walking out on the sandbar). I was a bit
downwind of the swimmers so I had to tack away then redirect to get upwind. Of course once I tacked away the scereams and shouts got louder. As I
tacked in towards the sandbar there was a dad, mom and kids walking the sandbar. I asked if they had a phone and to call 911. The mom did and called,
the father asked if he could assist. I said if your a good swimmer yes. He said he was and took to the swimmer to the far left which turned out to be
the little girl (7 yrs old and I never got her name). I then focused on the 2 downwind swimmers of her which turned out to be the father and son. As I
closed the in on the them murphys law kicked in and the wind dropped which left me about 15 yards downwind of the boy (Isach), 30 yrs of the father
(Matthew). He was screaming and about ready to do under. I took the door off my feet and pushed to board towards him. I told him to relax and swim to
the board and hold on tight. Isach began swimming to the board and did reach it. I told his father to swim to the board as well and to hold on tight.
They both made it and Isach although still screaming seemed much more at ease. The gentleman from the sandbar wadded then swam and had the little girl
under control and was heading in towards the sandbar. After what seeemed an eternity (probably 2 minutes) the wind kicked in I tacked downwind about
50 yds then swung around upwind and reached Matthew and Isach. They held onto the doors grab handle. I grabbed the foot strap and drug us into the
sandbar.
Isachs sister/Matts daughter and the other gentleman were waiting for us on the sandbar and needless to say quite emotional once they were reunited.
Not sure how they got separated (probably a rip current)but this is a fairly common occurance out on Sullivans Island. Know your surroundings and
abilities is the morale to this story. As the family walked across the bar towards the beach I took a moment or two and tried to process this. Not
sure I ever will so a quick prayer and back in the saddle and finished the session....................burritobandit - 9-6-2012 at 07:34 AM
Dude, that is awesome!! Good job! beachrights - 9-6-2012 at 07:49 AM
"Ferris Bueller you're my hero!" Wow- think what might have happened if you were not there. I seriously think Spleene should hear about this for an
awesome marketing story! I think you should reward your good deed and go buy yourself a kite...or two!:frog: Nice story.KAZEDOKA - 9-6-2012 at 07:50 AM
Well Done Much KUDO'SJaymz - 9-6-2012 at 08:20 AM
Johnny on the spot! Nice job! Todd - 9-6-2012 at 08:28 AM
Awesome job Don I'm proud of you!bobalooie57 - 9-6-2012 at 08:30 AM
WELL DONE, MAN!!! BeamerBob - 9-6-2012 at 09:13 AM
I'm glad it was YOU that was there to take charge and figure out the best thing to do as it evolved. Way to go Don. 3 souls indeed.lunchbox - 9-6-2012 at 11:55 AM
Awesome Don...way to go!!!!alasdair macleod - 9-6-2012 at 12:12 PM
Your one cool head dude!
:D:singing:shaggs2riches - 9-6-2012 at 12:17 PM
Wow close call for sure!!! I want to move to the coast, but stuff like that is what makes me nervous when playing in any open water. That and what you
can't see swimming below.mougl - 9-6-2012 at 01:19 PM
Awesome Don!!! Supreme!rocfighter - 9-6-2012 at 02:34 PM
WOW Don this is an awesome thing. The right place at the right time. And the skills to pull it off. Best part is your giving credit to the board. You
are a good person.Drewculous - 9-6-2012 at 03:58 PM
we need to get you a costume...... spiderman maybe?
Awesome job Don!!stetson05 - 9-6-2012 at 04:10 PM
Strong work! Probably not like you but you ought to write it up and submit it to the company. Or maybe we should.
I didn't realize those doors were that floaty, or did just having something to hold on to calm them down? As lame as it might sound I always wear a
lifejacket when I kiteboard. A couple of times when the wind has died I have had to swim for 20+ minutes and it is nice to have the extra help.
Exhaustion can get anyone. I have helped resusitate a couple of near drowning victims and I don't want to be one.kitedelight - 9-6-2012 at 04:20 PM
awesome! good work Tridude. I bet they will forever remember it.
The right guy at the right place at the right time. Providence.
You da man, Tri.beachrights - 9-6-2012 at 07:05 PM
I sent a link to Spleene about this story. It really is a great story and Tridude deserves credit and so does the Door! Hope you don't mind but I
figured if you told us might as well pass it along.Todd - 9-6-2012 at 07:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by beachrights
I sent a link to Spleene about this story. It really is a great story and Tridude deserves credit and so does the Door! Hope you don't mind but I
figured if you told us might as well pass it along.
Thank you!PHREERIDER - 11-6-2012 at 04:48 AM
ITS WHY YOU WERE THERE! championB-Roc - 11-6-2012 at 05:06 AM
Way to go Don!MikeDobbs - 11-6-2012 at 05:40 AM
Awesome job Don! Good deed, good karma, and good PR for the kiteboarding sport in general :bigok:erratic winds - 11-6-2012 at 02:46 PM
Amazing. Right man at the right time. Thank you for taking the risk!Bladerunner - 11-6-2012 at 04:59 PM
The right man in the right place at the right time!
Knowing the training you have had, the health battles you have fought, it is hard not to respect you ! I only hope I can buy you a drink at Wildwood
next spring !snowspider - 13-6-2012 at 07:50 AM
WOW for keeping your head on straight and getting it done!elnica - 13-6-2012 at 03:30 PM
Nice Job Tridude!
You probably changed the cop's perception about kitesurfing too. What cop/lifeguard would have thought a kitesurfer could be a savior rather than a
menace to swimmers :bigok:
I've got to admit I'm a little worried though as I am going to Charleston in a couple of weeks and kiting in the ocean sort of freaks me out already!Mostly Harmless - 19-6-2012 at 03:53 AM
Nice job! The door actually provided some buoyancy for them?tridude - 19-6-2012 at 05:31 AM
yes, it kept Isach afloat and Matthew had some built in bouyancy as well.........................Im so glad this turned out well for their family
whether it was the swimmer and myself or two other folks to provide then support. Problem is this isnt the first and wont be the last time it happens.
Sullis is a great beach and swimming spot but you need to read and head the HUGE warning signs. Although it wasn't a factor in this case, liquid
courage causes most water accidents/fatalities. Please be careful out there folks!
