Kite surfer ends up stranded on California beach — then uses rocks to signal for help

When a kite surfer found himself trapped on a stretch of California beach with a steep cliff on one side and incoming waves on another, he had to get creative to send an SOS.

Using rocks, the stranded surfer spelled the word “HELP” at the base of a cliff south of Davenport Landing Beach, CAL FIRE San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit said in a June 9 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The surfer’s message caught the eye of a private helicopter flying above, rescuers said.

After those aboard the helicopter called for help, multiple agencies responded to the beach.

A video posted by the agency shows a rescuer being lowered to the beach by a hovering helicopter.

The rescuer attaches the surfer to a harness, and the pair are hoisted over a steep cliff to the side of them, where they are safely lowered to the ground, videos show.

The surfer, who was not hurt, only needed help off the beach, rescuers said.

Davenport Landing Beach is about 10 miles northwest of Santa Cruz.