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Old 01-02-2005, 03:46 PM
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Default 2. Ian Young Lends A Hand

The tragic scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and ensuing massive tsunami are still coming into focus as the world tries to grasp and react to this horrific disaster. The influence of this powerful event was felt as far away as Australia over 3000 miles away, when powerful tidal currents carried swimmers out to sea of the southwest coast of Western Australia. A kiteboarder intervened, saving the swimmers as related below:


From: http://upload.wikimedia.org/

More about the Earthquake at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_In...ean_earthquake
and
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/


From: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/


The area of Busselton in Western Australia
From: www.geographebayview.com.au


"Tidal surges sweep the bay
by Jayne Rickard
Wednesday, 29 December 2004

THE earthquake off Indonesia which caused destructive tsunamis throughout Asia on Sunday was felt locally when three people were swept into Geographe Bay on Monday as a result of tidal surges.

Graham Barrett and his sons Elliott, 8, and Reece Dorrington, 10, were swimming near the Geographe Bay Yacht Club about 10am when a rip sucked them more than 100 metres offshore.

They were spotted by a kitesurfer who helped them ashore.

All three were taken to Busselton Hospital and treated for exhaustion.

There were tidal swings off Busselton every 30 to 60 minutes in the 24 hours after the earthquake and it is believed the water flowing out of the diversion drain was moving unusually fast on Monday.

Police have been regularly patrolling the area on watch for more dangerous rips and are unsure when the surges will stop.

Despite the tidal changes, Busselton Volunteer Marine Rescue Group has reported a quiet Christmas period.

Volunteer Phil Nicholls said so far they had only rescued a dinghy that broke its mooring.

"It's been fairly quiet so far," he said. "But we're keeping our fingers crossed for this week."

Busselton businessman Gary Dodd was in Colombo when the tsunami hit the shores of Sri Lanka.

Mr Dodd awoke to find his seafront hotel filled with water and debris, before managing to get to high land and safety."


More from Kiteforum.com:

"The Kitesurfer's name is Ian Young.

He's and instructor from Western Australia and was the ex president of the WAKSA (West Australian Kitesurfing Association).

He was out teaching a student how to body drag and found the people caught in the rip. Help them ashore by dragging them back with the kite.

Good show Ian."


Ian Young
From: http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianyoung

Ian is a real active guy and a long time leader in kiteboarding in Oz and elsewhere. More about the man at: http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianyoung/profile_kite.html

and at: http://inperth.com/sculpture/


Busselton Pier
From: http://www.southwestlife.com.au/

Some additional observations from other folks in Oz on impacts from the tsunami appear at: http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/t...?TOPIC_ID=4281


Well done Ian! You never know when things may go south, being an able waterman is a strong plus.
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Rick Iossi
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  #2  
Old 01-02-2005, 03:46 PM
ricki's Avatar
ricki ricki is offline
Administrator
Site Admin
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 8,700
Default 2. Ian Young Lends A Hand

The tragic scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and ensuing massive tsunami are still coming into focus as the world tries to grasp and react to this horrific disaster. The influence of this powerful event was felt as far away as Australia over 3000 miles away, when powerful tidal currents carried swimmers out to sea of the southwest coast of Western Australia. A kiteboarder intervened, saving the swimmers as related below:


From: http://upload.wikimedia.org/

More about the Earthquake at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_In...ean_earthquake
and
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/


From: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/


The area of Busselton in Western Australia
From: www.geographebayview.com.au


"Tidal surges sweep the bay
by Jayne Rickard
Wednesday, 29 December 2004

THE earthquake off Indonesia which caused destructive tsunamis throughout Asia on Sunday was felt locally when three people were swept into Geographe Bay on Monday as a result of tidal surges.

Graham Barrett and his sons Elliott, 8, and Reece Dorrington, 10, were swimming near the Geographe Bay Yacht Club about 10am when a rip sucked them more than 100 metres offshore.

They were spotted by a kitesurfer who helped them ashore.

All three were taken to Busselton Hospital and treated for exhaustion.

There were tidal swings off Busselton every 30 to 60 minutes in the 24 hours after the earthquake and it is believed the water flowing out of the diversion drain was moving unusually fast on Monday.

Police have been regularly patrolling the area on watch for more dangerous rips and are unsure when the surges will stop.

Despite the tidal changes, Busselton Volunteer Marine Rescue Group has reported a quiet Christmas period.

Volunteer Phil Nicholls said so far they had only rescued a dinghy that broke its mooring.

"It's been fairly quiet so far," he said. "But we're keeping our fingers crossed for this week."

Busselton businessman Gary Dodd was in Colombo when the tsunami hit the shores of Sri Lanka.

Mr Dodd awoke to find his seafront hotel filled with water and debris, before managing to get to high land and safety."


More from Kiteforum.com:

"The Kitesurfer's name is Ian Young.

He's and instructor from Western Australia and was the ex president of the WAKSA (West Australian Kitesurfing Association).

He was out teaching a student how to body drag and found the people caught in the rip. Help them ashore by dragging them back with the kite.

Good show Ian."


Ian Young
From: http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianyoung

Ian is a real active guy and a long time leader in kiteboarding in Oz and elsewhere. More about the man at: http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianyoung/profile_kite.html

and at: http://inperth.com/sculpture/


Busselton Pier
From: http://www.southwestlife.com.au/

Some additional observations from other folks in Oz on impacts from the tsunami appear at: http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/t...?TOPIC_ID=4281


Well done Ian! You never know when things may go south, being an able waterman is a strong plus.
__________________
FKA, Inc.

transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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  #3  
Old 01-03-2005, 10:31 AM
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ricki ricki is offline
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I just came across another local article about the rescue. Apparently, a 39 year old woman and strong swimmer in her own right was involved in the rescue as well.

"
Shelley Robertson
`Hero' mother helps save three in rip
By PETER SWEENEY
02jan05

"SHE'S a hero, she saved our lives," Perth man Graham Barrett said yesterday of Shelley Robertson.

The 39-year-old Swan Valley mother of three shrugged off the hero tag, but agreed that Mr Barrett, his son and nephew nearly drowned at a popular South-West beach in a freak rip caused by the tsunami.

Early last Monday, Mrs Robertson visited a beach at Geographe Bay at West Busselton, near where her parents live.

She and her husband Scott heard a woman screaming and saw people in trouble.

Mr Robertson went into the water, but came out and told his wife: "You'll have to go."

A five-day-a-week swimmer who has competed in the past two Rottnest swims, Mrs Robertson rushed to help Mr Barrett, 53, his son Elliot, 8 and nephew, Rhys Dorrington, 10.

"They had been shot out to sea by a tidal surge and rip from a drain," Mrs Robertson said.

Rhys made it back to shore after ending up on the other side of the rip. Not so, Mr Barrett and his son.

"Graham was filling with water and nearly unconscious by the time I got to him," Mrs Robertson said.

"He was holding Elliot who was talking to his dad and telling him he was doing a great job and that they would be all right."

Mrs Robertson supported Mr Barrett and Elliot for about half an hour before a kitesurfer came to help.

The man hauled Mr Barrett to shore while Mrs Robertson swam with Elliot, who was hanging on to her shoulders.

Mr Barrett, who is still holidaying in Busselton, said: "I was scared and tired and know Elliot and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Shelley and that man with the kite."


From: http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/c...5E2761,00.html


I hope to get in touch with Ian by phone to get more details. The article leaves out what happened to the nephew, Rhys. I believe the other article indicates that Ian brought both boys into shore.
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  #4  
Old 01-03-2005, 10:31 AM
ricki's Avatar
ricki ricki is offline
Administrator
Site Admin
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 8,700
Default

I just came across another local article about the rescue. Apparently, a 39 year old woman and strong swimmer in her own right was involved in the rescue as well.

"
Shelley Robertson
`Hero' mother helps save three in rip
By PETER SWEENEY
02jan05

"SHE'S a hero, she saved our lives," Perth man Graham Barrett said yesterday of Shelley Robertson.

The 39-year-old Swan Valley mother of three shrugged off the hero tag, but agreed that Mr Barrett, his son and nephew nearly drowned at a popular South-West beach in a freak rip caused by the tsunami.

Early last Monday, Mrs Robertson visited a beach at Geographe Bay at West Busselton, near where her parents live.

She and her husband Scott heard a woman screaming and saw people in trouble.

Mr Robertson went into the water, but came out and told his wife: "You'll have to go."

A five-day-a-week swimmer who has competed in the past two Rottnest swims, Mrs Robertson rushed to help Mr Barrett, 53, his son Elliot, 8 and nephew, Rhys Dorrington, 10.

"They had been shot out to sea by a tidal surge and rip from a drain," Mrs Robertson said.

Rhys made it back to shore after ending up on the other side of the rip. Not so, Mr Barrett and his son.

"Graham was filling with water and nearly unconscious by the time I got to him," Mrs Robertson said.

"He was holding Elliot who was talking to his dad and telling him he was doing a great job and that they would be all right."

Mrs Robertson supported Mr Barrett and Elliot for about half an hour before a kitesurfer came to help.

The man hauled Mr Barrett to shore while Mrs Robertson swam with Elliot, who was hanging on to her shoulders.

Mr Barrett, who is still holidaying in Busselton, said: "I was scared and tired and know Elliot and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Shelley and that man with the kite."


From: http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/c...5E2761,00.html


I hope to get in touch with Ian by phone to get more details. The article leaves out what happened to the nephew, Rhys. I believe the other article indicates that Ian brought both boys into shore.
__________________
FKA, Inc.

transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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  #5  
Old 01-03-2005, 09:54 PM
ricki's Avatar
ricki ricki is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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I just spoke to Ian Young on the phone about the rescue. He was on holiday with his brother and family at Busselton, Western Australia. He had hopes of training for a long distance kiteboarding record attempt but the wind hadn't been cooperating. His sister-in-law was interested in kiteboarding so Ian was coaching her through a body dragging session with a 5 m Flysurfer foil in about 15 kts of wind last Sunday. Not being from the area but a resident of Perth to the south, Ian thought that the tidal activity was remarkable but wasn't aware that it was unusual for the area.

SW Oz is south about 5470 km or 3400 miles of the earthquake epicenter that triggered the tidal wave. Based up on the animation shown at the start of this post, the tsunami seemed to propagate the most intensity to nearer areas to the east and west. The influence in distant SW Oz was in the form of extreme tidal variation.


A view of Busselton beach and the river.
From: http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/

That is substantial high, low tides with very strong associated tidal currents in the confines of the river and inlet areas to the west of Busselton Pier (see above).

As Ian was working with his sister-in-law when they heard a near hysterical woman screaming for help. They dragged closer to investigate and eventually sorted out that her husband and son and been swept about 150 m from shore by offshore tidal rips caused by the tsunami influenced surcharging of water in the inland river basin. Ian estimated that that outgoing current was on the order of 10 to 12 km/hr (about 6 to 7 mph).

Ian helped his sister-in-law crash the Flysurfer foil to where he could take over control of it, relaunch the kite and get underway. He then body dragged out about 150 m to where the father and son were being helped to stay afloat by Shelly. More about Shelly's important roll is given in the newspaper article above. Ian said it took great courage for the mother of three to swim out alone into strong currents with the intent of saving not just one but two people.

Ian guessed that the father and two boys were playing in the strong outgoing tidal rips in the mouth of the 20 to 30 m wide river when the current took them out of standing depth and into deep water. By the time that Ian had reached the group the father was exhausted from trying to swim against the outgoing current. This as opposed to swimming parallel to shore until he left the area of outgoing tidal currents. A diagram of rip currents caused by sand bars instead of an inlet as in this case, is shown below:


The idea is to swim parallel to shore until you leave the outgoing area of rips currents allowing you to swim into shore at that point.
From: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/

Shelly had been supporting the father for about 30 minutes up to this point. She had no reason to believe that Ian would have happened by to help out. Fortunately, he did however. Ian held the man's hands together around his neck with one hand and used the other to control the kite to body drag into shore. Once he had the father in standing depth of water he dropped him off and proceeded offshore to help the son. The nephew had previously made it to shore before the rescue by swimming parallel to the current. Ian's sister-in-law called emergency services by cell phone for help. By the time Ian had made it offshore again to meet Shelly and the son, Shelly had already dragged the son to within 75 m of shore. Ian clasped both of the boy’s hands around his neck as with the father and dragged him into shore. Shelly made it in under her own steam with a substantial amount of exertion.

The father and son were treated at the local hospital for exhaustion and hypothermia. Ian had returned to his cottage shortly after the emergency crew arrived. He called the police at this point as they had discovered that during the night before their cottage had been robbed of several wallets, cell phones and a camera. NO Justice ... right?! Anyway the police filled Ian in on the excitement that the rescue had caused. The father concluded that he wouldn't have survived but for the heroic efforts of Shelly and Ian.

So, thanks Ian and Shelly for your effective efforts and timely rescue! An able kiteboarder saves the day again.
__________________
FKA, Inc.

transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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  #6  
Old 01-03-2005, 09:54 PM
ricki's Avatar
ricki ricki is offline
Administrator
Site Admin
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 8,700
Default

I just spoke to Ian Young on the phone about the rescue. He was on holiday with his brother and family at Busselton, Western Australia. He had hopes of training for a long distance kiteboarding record attempt but the wind hadn't been cooperating. His sister-in-law was interested in kiteboarding so Ian was coaching her through a body dragging session with a 5 m Flysurfer foil in about 15 kts of wind last Sunday. Not being from the area but a resident of Perth to the south, Ian thought that the tidal activity was remarkable but wasn't aware that it was unusual for the area.

SW Oz is south about 5470 km or 3400 miles of the earthquake epicenter that triggered the tidal wave. Based up on the animation shown at the start of this post, the tsunami seemed to propagate the most intensity to nearer areas to the east and west. The influence in distant SW Oz was in the form of extreme tidal variation.


A view of Busselton beach and the river.
From: http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/

That is substantial high, low tides with very strong associated tidal currents in the confines of the river and inlet areas to the west of Busselton Pier (see above).

As Ian was working with his sister-in-law when they heard a near hysterical woman screaming for help. They dragged closer to investigate and eventually sorted out that her husband and son and been swept about 150 m from shore by offshore tidal rips caused by the tsunami influenced surcharging of water in the inland river basin. Ian estimated that that outgoing current was on the order of 10 to 12 km/hr (about 6 to 7 mph).

Ian helped his sister-in-law crash the Flysurfer foil to where he could take over control of it, relaunch the kite and get underway. He then body dragged out about 150 m to where the father and son were being helped to stay afloat by Shelly. More about Shelly's important roll is given in the newspaper article above. Ian said it took great courage for the mother of three to swim out alone into strong currents with the intent of saving not just one but two people.

Ian guessed that the father and two boys were playing in the strong outgoing tidal rips in the mouth of the 20 to 30 m wide river when the current took them out of standing depth and into deep water. By the time that Ian had reached the group the father was exhausted from trying to swim against the outgoing current. This as opposed to swimming parallel to shore until he left the area of outgoing tidal currents. A diagram of rip currents caused by sand bars instead of an inlet as in this case, is shown below:


The idea is to swim parallel to shore until you leave the outgoing area of rips currents allowing you to swim into shore at that point.
From: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/

Shelly had been supporting the father for about 30 minutes up to this point. She had no reason to believe that Ian would have happened by to help out. Fortunately, he did however. Ian held the man's hands together around his neck with one hand and used the other to control the kite to body drag into shore. Once he had the father in standing depth of water he dropped him off and proceeded offshore to help the son. The nephew had previously made it to shore before the rescue by swimming parallel to the current. Ian's sister-in-law called emergency services by cell phone for help. By the time Ian had made it offshore again to meet Shelly and the son, Shelly had already dragged the son to within 75 m of shore. Ian clasped both of the boy’s hands around his neck as with the father and dragged him into shore. Shelly made it in under her own steam with a substantial amount of exertion.

The father and son were treated at the local hospital for exhaustion and hypothermia. Ian had returned to his cottage shortly after the emergency crew arrived. He called the police at this point as they had discovered that during the night before their cottage had been robbed of several wallets, cell phones and a camera. NO Justice ... right?! Anyway the police filled Ian in on the excitement that the rescue had caused. The father concluded that he wouldn't have survived but for the heroic efforts of Shelly and Ian.

So, thanks Ian and Shelly for your effective efforts and timely rescue! An able kiteboarder saves the day again.
__________________
FKA, Inc.

transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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