Sunday is the usually the day our wakaama (outrigger canoe) crew go out for a long distance paddle. This day was looking like it was going to be great. 15 knot NE and a 1.4 metre swell in the same direction. Perfect for downwind surfing. We paddled out straight into it for half an hour, deciding to turn and ride the bumps back for our first run. As we made the turn to our complete surprise, both wooden kiato holding the ama (outrigger) snapped and we capsized. All crew remained calm. We decided to try lashing ama back the best we could. Water was up to the gunnels of the waka. Any attempt to bail was impossible. I set off the PLB as we realised self recovery was impossible. The rear bulkhead had filled with water and the main hull looked close to sinking. We were having little luck with communication on our VHF, so weren’t sure if there was a rescue under way. As the conditions were somewhat rough there were no other vessels out that we could see. Some of my crew were showing early signs of hypothermia.

About one hour fifty we were very happy to see the Coastguard boat and a Rescue helicopter coming to our rescue. Locals from our beach also came out in their boats and recovered our canoe. We are extremely grateful to all concerned and incredibly humbled by the experience. There is no doubt my ResQLink saved six lives that day.