A kayaker trying to make a 2,400-mile solo trip from California to Hawaii had to be rescued by helicopter after making it just 70 miles offshore.
Cyril Derreumaux had already run into numerous problems since leaving Sausalito near the Golden Gate Bridge in his 23-foot kayak in the early hours of May 31, according to his online updates.
Late Saturday, the Frenchman lost his GPS, as well as the tracking data to his ground crew — then was overwhelmed by worsening weather, nearly capsizing as waves reached almost 15 feet, he said.
“It went from bad to worse very fast,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I found myself violently tossed from side to side, along with all the equipment that was stored in the cabin,” he explained in a Facebook post, saying that he also saw “water entering my cabin.”
The Coast Guard rescued Cyril Derreumaux (third from right) approximately 70 miles west of Santa Cruz, California. US Coast Guard“It was clear that the situation was not sustainable,” he said, noting his “inability to eat, drink, sleep [and] communicate easily with my team ashore.”
He decided to abandon the mission, getting his team to call the Coast Guard for help when he was about 70 miles west of Santa Cruz.
A helicopter reached him in the early hours Sunday, and a diver was lowered to the kayak and helped hoist up Derreumaux, who was in good condition with no medical concerns, the Coast Guard said.
Early on during his kayaking trek, Cyril Derreumaux lost his GPS and was nearly capsized due to worsening weather conditions. Facebook
Members of the US Coast Guard hoist Cyril Derreumaux into a helicopter. US Coast Guard
Cyril Derreumaux was reported to be in good condition with no medical concerns. Facebook“Recognizing that the situation was beyond his capabilities and calling for assistance allowed our crews to reach him in time for a successful rescue,” Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Kroll said.
“This shows that even experienced mariners with proper safety equipment can get into trouble on the ocean, which is why having the right equipment and knowing when and how to use it is so important.”
“I made the right call,” Derreumaux told the Chronicle on Sunday from his home in Larkspur, California. “It’s still disappointing.”
Following his rescue, Cyril Derreumaux said that he is “still determined to make” the journey from California to Honolulu. FacebookStill, he insisted that his “morale is good” even after having to abort the wild journey that he expected would keep him at sea for 70 days.
“I still have my passion for this adventure intact, and I am still determined to make it happen … I won’t give up!!!” he said on Facebook.
