Picture the scene - Blackrock sands, me, Jon and Graham standing on a sandbank perhaps 1/2 mile from shore having been playing in a large lagoon of waist deep water. The tide is coming in fast and the wind is dropping away faster. Jon says: "we'd better get a move on while there's still some wind or we'll have a long walk". With those sage-like words he sets off, working his 17m for all he's worth, and going nowhere but straight downwind parallel with the shore. Graham tries, and with his 12m crossbow actually gets planing and makes the shore (impressive). I don't get any choice, with no wind at all my 14m falls out of the air. Oooops, on a rapidly dissapearing sandbank, with 1/2 mile of now deep water and no kite...... quickest packdown ever, lash the kite to the board and paddle in - few nervous moments there!

Get back to the van where me and Graham discuss our good fortune and whether to have a cup of tea to calm our nerves. Then discussion turns to Jon, who is still 1/2 mile out, but has drifted the entire length of the beach and is on his way to Criccieth. We drive down the beach, joining the small group of spectators that has formed and give him an encouraging wave, but he's been in the water perhaps 45 mins, and is getting nowhere, so I decide to swim out to him. Not quite sure why really, just thought he might like some company.

Then things get really exciting, as I set out an RAF Hurcules flys over, really low, with its doors open - but no, they don't drop a life raft. Then when I get to Jon, a boat appears from the left, moving fast - we're saved! Then another lifeboat appears from the right, then a rescue chopper appears overhead, then a coastguard landrover comes screaming down the beach, blue lights and sirens going!! The full resources of the N Wales coastguard are on hand in Jon's hour of need!

Jon makes a feeble attempt to drown himself to avoid the forthcoming embarrassment, but after a real struggle the lifeboatmen manage to drag him aboard. When we get back to the beach there is now a sizeable crowd, Graham is bouncing around excitedly taking piccies in an attempt to capture the pandemonium - hopefully they may get posted soon?

Anyway the important thing was no-one was hurt, and we all went back to Jon's van for tea and buscuits.

Glad everyone is ok & a great story.

Jon' can you do it again next time for the benefit of all those who missed it.................?

[Edited on 16-10-2005 by Encee]

and his kite?

Glad to hear that every one was ok.

glad your all ok, sounded brilliant if a little scary. well done spooker very entertaining, sorry i missed it

Andy you just couldn't wait, you even left a day early so you could get the story in first.

You missed nothing on Sunday, too gusty plus no one wanted another rescue.

Jon, you could have done it at Aberdyfi, then I could have been on the rescue crew.

I hate selfish people!

Great story, can't wait for the photo's...

Of course the coast guard has never been out looking for me, eh Al ;-)

Well, it added a little excitement to an otherwise dull day Andy, sounds as though Jon d'Hat may well have done it in more style than you though Andy... You only got a landrover and a couple of coastguards, sounds as though Jon got the whole works!!

Al.

A proper ripping yarn Spooks and Jon!

Should the addition to the Borth kiting dictionary for -Wind Stranding, now be:
Jon hatted
ie. I was ******* ' Jon hatted ' at Blackrock the other day!

Wat d'ya think?

sorry Paul but the phrase was already in use on sunday

Ah! I must've heard it then, echoing round the valley's, from a'top them there hills!!

Jon,
The lifeguard says hello

Here's Jon safe & sound on the beach

And another

...a lot of time for that!! but the lengths some people will go to for a free ride in a speed boat!?

A well told tale Spooks, but if you'd called the coastguard half an hour earlier, i'd have had the energy to mug them for their boat and we could have spent the rest of the day wakeboarding lol

So fellow sailors, I'll save my blushes and remind you all of the brotherhood and good vibe that 'd masiff' share and thank you all for your concern

Thanks to Andy and Graham