[ricki]

4. Following is an email which farqueue sent last night to the Merimbula News Weekly which is their local paper.

He will let us know what if any response we have and in particular if the information is published.


"A local kitesurfer rescued two tourists caught in the current at Merimbula Bar over the Christmas holiday break.

The two tourists of Asian extraction were in a small inflatable rubber boat which got into trouble and were swept more than 200 metres out to sea in quite severe conditions.

The tide was running at its strongest, the wind was approximately 20 knots from the south east and the swell up to 1.5 metres.

Before the tourists got into too much trouble, the local identity and kitesurfer, rescued the tourists by dragging them back to shore whilst still in their boat sailing in through the surf on the Bar with his 13 metre kite.

The conditions were that difficult with the tide running strongly through a solid swell that any person performing a rescue in that situation places him or herself at considerable risk.

The tourists were very thankful."

Thanks farqueue, thanks for your efforts.