Kite boarder pulled from water amid storm

High winds draw adventurers to Toronto beach

TORONTO • A kite boarder “in distress” was pulled unconscious from Lake Ontario near Toronto's Cherry Beach Sunday afternoon after a sudden and fierce rainstorm swept across the city and parts of surrounding regions.

The man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old and an experienced boarder, was administered “life saving measures” before being taken to hospital by ambulance, according to Toronto police.

A fellow surfer, 61-year-old Andrew Kaczmarek, said in an interview that the storm came up very suddenly, and that five or six of some 25 wind-seeking adventurers on the water were unable to get to shore before it hit.

“It was a windy day but at a certain point the sky got very dark,” he said. “One of our friends got in big trouble. He was unconscious in the water.”

Kaczmarek said the man, who he declined to identify for privacy reasons, may have been picked up by the wind and then “slammed” on the water.

“It's really upsetting,” he said. “I hope he's going to be OK.”

The marine unit of the Toronto Police responded to the drama that unfolded shortly after 3 p.m., according to a tweet from the force.

Emergency responders worked on the man for about 20 minutes before he was loaded into an ambulance, Kaczmarek said, adding that he was told the man had a pulse and heartbeat at that time.

A witness at the scene said boats appeared to be searching the water while the unconscious man was being administered first aid.

Kaczmarek said another member of the informal kite boarding group was initially unaccounted for, but later reported in safely.

He said the weather forecast had been calling for strong winds, which drew surfers and “kiters” to the beach, but then the storm hit with unexpected speed and force.

“Wind is what we want,” Kaczmarek said, adding that the injured boarder was wearing a helmet and life-jacket and was “fully prepared” for the weather. He just didn't get to shore in time, given the speed and ferocity of the storm.

“The rule is: When you see the clouds, you get off the water,” Kaczmarek said.

“Unfortunately some people didn't make it.”

Toronto police constable David Hopkinson said late Sunday afternoon that the kite boarder's injuries were “life threatening.” He said he was unable to release the man's name or what hospital he was taken to following the emergency on the beach.

Just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, the Toronto police marine rescue unit tweeted that it was responding to another call from the area where a wind warning was in effect. The caller told police there was a wetsuit-clad windsurfer in the water that had not been seen “for some time.”