Windsurfer Identified, Pulled Unresponsive at Kanahā

A windsurfer died after being pulled unresponsive from waters at Kanahā Beach Park in Central Maui on Saturday. Maui police have since identified the man as 77-year-old Frank Beecher Wooding of Haʻikū.

The incident was reported at approximately 1:06 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019.

Fire officials say the man was pulled unresponsive towards the shoreline by two other male individuals. When they reached about five feet from shore, Ocean Safety personnel aboard a rescue watercraft picked up the man and brought him to the beach.

Lifeguard personnel as well as an engine company from Kahului provided CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator in attempts to revive the man. Acting Battalion Chief of Ocean Safety, Jeffrey T. Giesea said ocean safety and fire personnel worked in conjunction with medics applying advanced life support techniques until approximately 1:45 p.m. when resuscitation efforts were terminated.

Authorities say the man had been windsurfing prior to the incident, but were unsure what caused him to become unresponsive in the water.

According to department reports, surf was flat to one-foot in height, with 15-25 mph trade winds creating choppy conditions at the time.