From Geelong Advertiser
A KITE surfer stranded for hours in the waters of Corio Bay before being winched to safety says the dramatic incident won't put him off continuing the sport.
Tal Weiss, of Caulfield, was rescued by a police helicopter near a shipping channel at Point Henry Beach at 3.25pm on Wednesday.
The 48 year old was visiting the region after a member of a Melbourne kite surfing group suggested the conditions at Point Henry would be ideal.
He had been on the water for about an hour before the lines of his kite became tangled.
"I had a similar situation in the past and I could rescue myself but this time I had new gloves on and they were too slippery," Mr Weiss said.
"I was trying to cut the line but my knife fell in the water and I couldn't do anything."
While another kite surfer witnessed the struggle and raised the alarm with police and the coast guard, Mr Weiss had one hand on the kite to help him stay afloat and used the other to tread water.
"I was stuck in the water for about two hours and was trying to swim with the kite but the wind was blowing offshore and the lines were tangled around my body so I couldn't move," he said.
"I was lucky that there was somebody there otherwise I don't know what would have happened."
Incredibly, Mr Weiss - who took up kite surfing about a year ago - escaped without injury and didn't require hospital treatment.
While he won't be wearing the new gloves again he is adamant he will return to the water soon.
"I'll be back. This is part of the thing I really love doing and part of what happens sometimes, so it's not going to discourage me at all," he said.
The cost of replacing the equipment lost at sea is estimated at $5000.
Mr Weiss was full of praise for the emergency service personnel who rescued and treated him.
"We are so lucky in Australia to have such great facilities and such amazing medical people and police force," he said.
"I was so overwhelmed by their kindness and professionalism and I feel very lucky."
I'm guessing a foilboard and a kite.
I'm guessing insurance claim...