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Two Australian surfers spent several hours clinging to a single surfboard Monday night after being swept out to sea in high surf off Oahu’s North Shore.
The two surfers, ages 21 and 26, were reported missing near the Jockos surf break at about 7:45 p.m.
The Honolulu Fire Department helicopter began searching for them at about 8 p.m. and the Coast Guard launched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter at about 9 p.m.
The Coast Guard helicopter located and rescued the surfers at about 10:30 p.m., clinging to a single surf board about a mile offshore of Haleiwa.
The helicopter flew the men to AliI Beach Park. A swell peaked Monday afternoon with wave faces of up to 20 feet on the North Shore.A high surf advisory continues today as the swell declines to 12 to 16 feet.
A 6-foot surfboard, described as a white thruster with a black deck tab, three black fins and a sticker that says “Bradley” was left behind during the rescue. The Coast Guard requests that anyone who finds the board call Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600.
