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Maui surfer rescued after losing his board

Michael Tsai

A 33-year-old surfer on Maui was separated from his board hundreds of yards offshore today but survived a potentially deadly situation thanks to help from a fellow surfer.

Maui Fire Department was initially alerted to an unattended surfboard found floating 200 yards offshore of the Kuleana Condominium on Lower Honoapiilani Road in Lahaina shortly after 5 p.m.

A witness brought the board back to shore before fire rescue personnel arrived and a search was initiated for the board’s owner.

About a quarter-mile away, at the S-Turns surf spot, police officers spotted two people holding on to a single surfboard about 300 yards offshore.

The two men were brought to shore aboard a fire rescue boat.

The owner of the adrift board told rescuers that he became separated after his leash broke. Another man surfing nearby shared his board and stayed with him until rescuers arrived.

No injuries were reported.

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