Private boat aids paddleboarder who drifts into Canadian waters during wind storm
A mistake cost an experienced paddleboarder when New Year’s Eve’s gusty winds near Semiahmoo pushed her craft into Canadian waters.
Suzanne Westcott-England told The Bellingham Herald she was pulled from the water by a private boat owner and taken to safety on Tuesday, Dec. 31, after she got a little too far out and couldn’t paddle back to shore in a stiff headwind.
“For me, it was clearly a mistake,” said Westcott-England, who had the goal of hitting the water throughout December. “I’ve been paddling for a while, and I’m a strong paddler. I made a mistake that I would say was less than a 100-foot mistake, and fortunately, there was someone, who put themselves at risk, to help me.”
Westcott-England, who lives in Bellingham and says she’s been paddling for six years, said Tuesday’s winds on Bellingham Bay were a little too strong, so she went up to Blaine and put in near the Cannery Lodge in Semiahmoo Park.
Unfortunately, she said she got a little too far out, and when she tried to return to shore, the headwind was too strong and she was pushed toward Canadian waters.
Westcott-England said the U.S. Coast Guard put out an emergency alert asking for boats in the area to assist her, and the captain of She’s Got A Way responded and came to her aid.
“I have a call in with the Coast Guard today to see if I can find the owner of that boat so I can thank them again,” Westcott-England said.
Once she was back on land, Westcott-England said she was checked by North Whatcom Fire and Rescue medics, who she said told her she was dressed properly for the conditions. She then warmed up and drove herself home, she said.
Westcott-England said she was wearing an inflatable personal flotation device while she was on the water.
“The people from North Whatcom Fire and Rescue were so kind, and I’m so thankful for their help,” Westcott-England said. “I’m a little embarrassed that I caused so much trouble.”
With another storm expected to hit the area Thursday afternoon, Blaine Police Department spokesperson Tami Bhachu told The Herald that the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers windy weather can bring on the water.
“Another high-wind storm is expected in our area, and we would advise people to not only take the normal precautions, but to heed the weather advisory and stay out of the water,” Bhachu told The Herald. “Although they can be difficult to see, ocean currents run below the surface and can be extremely dangerous. It is a good idea to keep up on the local weather advisories this time of year.”
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
