Santa Cruz Fire Crews Rescue Kayaker Caught In Kelp

SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- A kayaker was rescued after drifting a few hundred yards from shore in Santa Cruz Friday afternoon, fire officials said.

Firefighters and harbor patrol responded to a report of a kayaker in trouble, about 300 yards off shore, in the area of West Cliff Drive and Merced Avenue at about 2:30 p.m., fire officials said.

Fire crews entered the water using rescue boards and got to the kayaker, who had been entangled in kelp and swamped, officials said.

The kayaker had been fishing before drifting out.

Medical personnel evaluated the kayaker for potential exhaustion and hypothermia. He was then released, officials said.

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