Bloubergstrand: A 43-year-old man was rescued from rocks near Kids Rock after disappearing from view while using a windsurfing board off the Cape Town coastline, prompting a coordinated operation involving sea rescuers, lifeguards, paramedics, police and City emergency services.
A large-scale search was launched off Bloubergstrand on Tuesday afternoon after eyewitnesses reported seeing a man in difficulty near Ons Huisie. The alarm was raised at about 15:13 when the 43-year-old, who is originally from Limpopo and currently lives near Bloubergstrand, appeared to be struggling offshore while using a windsurfing board.
The situation escalated when witnesses lost sight of him, leaving rescuers uncertain whether he remained in the water, had been swept farther along the coastline or had managed to reach the rocks. With no confirmed position and changing sea conditions complicating the search, emergency teams were forced to cover the water, shoreline and surrounding rocky areas at the same time.
NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander Rowan Marais said rescue swimmers were sent directly to the area while the station’s duty crew launched the rescue craft West Coast Relief. Big Bay Surf Lifesaving also deployed a lifeguard rescue craft as teams began searching from the water and shore.
The City of Cape Town’s water rescue network was activated as the operation expanded. Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Community Medics, Metro Emergency Medical Services and other emergency personnel joined the response, while the South African Police Service and its Water Policing and Diving Services were alerted.
The West Coast coastwatchers network was also asked to monitor the coastline for any sign of the missing man. Metro EMS placed the EMS and AMS Skymed rescue helicopter on standby, while a drone unit was deployed to assist teams searching from the air.
The multi-agency response allowed rescuers to work across several areas at once. Boats searched offshore, rescue swimmers covered sections closer to land, and teams on foot inspected the shoreline and rocky outcrops where the man may have been carried by wind, waves or currents.
Man Found Trapped Among Rocks
Search teams eventually located the man trapped among rocks at Kids Rock, a rugged section of the Bloubergstrand coastline. An NSRI rescue swimmer reached him, secured him and helped transfer him onto a rescue craft before he was taken to Small Bay.
By the time rescuers brought him ashore, the man was suffering from hypothermia, a condition that develops when the body loses heat faster than it can replace it. Paramedics treated and stabilised him at the scene before transporting him to hospital by ambulance.
He was reported to be in a stable condition and was expected to make a full recovery.
Marais credited the successful outcome to the rapid cooperation between the agencies involved. The operation brought together NSRI Melkbosstrand, Big Bay Surf Lifesaving, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Community Medics, Metro EMS, SAPS and the City’s wider water rescue network.
The rescue also demonstrated how quickly a routine water activity can become life-threatening when a person disappears from view. In this case, eyewitnesses raised the alarm early enough for emergency services to mobilise several rescue teams before conditions worsened.
Rescue Highlights Coastal Safety Risks
Kids Rock and the surrounding Bloubergstrand coastline include exposed rocks, breaking waves and sections where wind and currents can move people away from their original position. These conditions can make rescue operations difficult, particularly when a person enters the water alone or loses contact with their equipment.
The NSRI has previously installed Pink Rescue Buoys in coastal areas following drowning incidents and continues to urge beachgoers and water-sports participants to take precautions before entering the sea.
People using windsurfing boards, kayaks, paddleboards or similar equipment should check the weather and sea forecast before launching, wear suitable flotation equipment and carry a reliable means of calling for help. They should also tell someone where they intend to launch, which direction they plan to travel and when they expect to return.
Capetonians who see someone in difficulty at sea should contact emergency services immediately and provide the clearest possible information about the person’s location, clothing, equipment and last known direction of travel.
The NSRI emergency number is 087 094 9774.
Q&A
When did the Bloubergstrand rescue happen?
The search and rescue operation took place on Tuesday afternoon after the alarm was raised at about 15:13.
Where was the missing man found?
Rescuers located him trapped among rocks at Kids Rock near Bloubergstrand.
What condition was he in?
He was suffering from hypothermia. Paramedics treated him at Small Bay before taking him to hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.
Which emergency services responded?
The operation involved NSRI Melkbosstrand, Big Bay Surf Lifesaving, the City of Cape Town water rescue network, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Community Medics, Metro EMS, SAPS and police diving services.
Was a helicopter used in the rescue?
The EMS and AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was placed on standby, while a drone unit was deployed to assist with the search.
SAI Search Summary
A 43-year-old man was rescued after disappearing from view while using a windsurfing board off Bloubergstrand. Eyewitnesses raised the alarm near Ons Huisie at about 15:13, prompting a coordinated sea, air and shoreline search. An NSRI rescue swimmer found the man trapped among rocks at Kids Rock and helped transfer him to a rescue craft. He was brought ashore at Small Bay suffering from hypothermia, treated by paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition. NSRI Melkbosstrand, Big Bay Surf Lifesaving, City emergency services, Metro EMS and SAPS took part in the operation.
Source: CapeTown ETC – Staff Reporter; National Sea Rescue Institute – Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand Station Commander
