We've come a long way since Lee, and more

May 2, 2011

This is day to remember. The kiting community has come a long way since the passing of Lee.

Today, the wind, much like yesterday, turned from the normal direction, from the port, to directly side shore, out of the West. This was almost a repeat of yesterday. There was pretty good wind and then a big shift. Most of us enjoyed the change because it's fun going directly out from the shore, to the right of the island, but the wind was very gusty.

After about an hour and a half of these gusty conditions some of us were on the shore enjoying the warm sun. Trevor, Rulley, Kyle, Hank, Dong, Dan, Kristin, Steve, Harley Mike, and many others were enjoying the warm summer day. At one point a number of us were watching a kiter trying to get his black kite relaunched out near the marina entrance. We all were excited when his kite rose out of the water and went up in the air just to twist and go crashing right back into the water. There was a cheer as it went up and a big sigh as it went crashing into the water. This happened twice. Then nothing.

There was much concern at the Claremont ramp as we saw this kiter near the marina entrance being blown toward the rocks. Naji called to Danny at the Kitesufari tent to call the Lifeguards. She said "There was no response." Then Naji ran down the ramp to the phone in the box. He said "It was dead." Then Naji called 911. At that instant Dan and Kristin started running towards the peninsula. Harley Mike wrapped up his gear and drove to the end of Ocean Blvd. The entire beach was on edge. No one wanted to have a repeat of kiting incident of a few years back.

The next thing we saw was the Lifeguard boat racing down the bay full speed toward the kiter, simultaneously followed by a guard truck roaring down the beach with sirens blazing, from the pier. Then we saw a boat emerge from the marina and a helicopter overhead. What we missed was the first truck which had already arrived on the scene with a lifeguard furiously paddling out to the fallen kiter. All those workout sessions paid off as he fought the waves whipped up by the sideshore wind.

When all was said and done the kiter was rescued. The lifeguard with a paddle board and the two boats kept Shane from the rocks and picked up his board before there was any damage to his life or equipment.

Ruth happened to be on the peninsula walking Harley and Bebe Dog and saw the blue flashing lights, the downed kite and rushed over. She thanked the guards for their great rescue work, just as Dan and Kristin walked up with the kite. They wanted to let the guards know how grateful the entire kiting community is for their invaluable assistance. The watchful Lifeguard in the truck (Omar Navarro) noted that the original call came from a neighbor and they needed all of us to be their additional eyes and ears. Harley Mike drove Shane back to his car and everyone went home happy that we have a very tight crew of city employees that help us when there's a problem. Thank you City of Long Beach and all of the dedicated Lifeguards.

Dan, on the left, and Kristin, on the right, welcome Shane back to the Claremont ramp after his accident yesterday. We were all glad to see him today.