Paddle Boarder Assisted to Shore Sunday

A 42-year-old Wailuku man was assisted to shore on Sunday, after he lost his paddle and was unable to make it back to shore on his own.

The incident was reported at 4:19 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 about a half-mile off of the Sugar Beach area of North Kīhei.

Fire officials say crews from the Kīhei station met with the caller at 4:28 p.m. at the old pier near the Kīhei Canoe Club.

The caller was on a one-man canoe and saw a male standup paddle boarder having trouble getting back to shore. Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto said he attempted to tow the man in, but paddled to shore to call for help after strong wind conditions made it nearly impossible to tow the boarder in himself.

Fire officials say crews aboard the department’s Air 1 helicopter spotted the paddle boarder about 1.5 miles off-shore and guided an ocean safety rescue watercraft to the man. Ocean safety personnel brought the man and board back to shore by 5:20 p.m., officials said.

The paddle boarder did not require any medical attention.

Crews responding to the incident included firefighters from Kīhei, Rescue 10 from Kahului and Air 1.