Standup Paddle Boarders Rescued in South Maui

On Saturday 11/28/15, at 4:29 p.m., firefighters were called to rescue two standup paddle boarders in distress off of South Maui.

At 4:40 p.m., Kihei firefighters met with witnesses at the Sugar Beach Resort in North Kihei.

A female paddle boarder was having trouble making it back to shore, when her husband borrowed a bystander’s paddle board and went out to help her.

After failing to make headway against the trades gusting upwards of 25 mph, the couple sought refuge by climbing aboard a vessel moored 500 yards offshore.

A fire department rescue watercraft brought the couple safely back to shore at 5:30 p.m.

Crews also brought the borrowed board back to shore, but the couple’s rental paddle board could not be found. The woman was not wearing an ankle leash joining her to the board.

The couple was in their early twenties, and is visiting from Florida. They are honeymooning on Maui.

A Kihei engine company and Kahului rescue crew responded to the incident.