This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Six kayakers off the coast of Malibu were unexpectedly blown out to sea today as the Santa Ana winds returned to the region on Sunday morning, but thankfully a squid-fishing fleet came to their rescue.
The kayakers would up being caught in a steady southward wind that was recorded at 50 mph, with one gust peaking at 81 mph up in the hills above Malibu. Luckily for our weekend warriors, a fleet of squid-fishing boats from Point Hueneme were in the area, and were able to rescue at least two of the kayakers before lifeguards from Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and the State Parks were able to tow them back to shore with Jet Skis. Paramedics at checked them as a precaution onshore at Countyline Beach, but were reportedly all fine, according to City News Service.
"When the winds are blowing offshore, it's a bad time to kayak," said Captain Dan Murphy of the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. Malibu experienced no winds early this morning at 7 a.m., but by 9 a.m., when the rescue occurred, the winds were already blowing straight out to sea at 50 mph.
The fishing boats were off Point Mugu in order to take advantage of currents that concentrate squid in the area.
Perhaps a celebratory calamari dinner is in store for our six adventurers.
