There was a busy afternoon on Tuesday for the water rescuers at Walchensee.
The reason for the density of use was not least the atypical wind conditions.
Walchensee - The atypical south wind posed problems for some water sports enthusiasts, explains Alois Grünwald from the Walchensee water rescue service, why four missions had to be mastered in two hours.
Around 3 p.m., a couple had to be rescued who had capsized in the sailing boat in the gallery area.
When the water watch arrived on site, the woman - she only wore a bikini - had been in the 19-degree water for some time and was about 200 meters away from the boat.
The couple and the sailboat were brought ashore.
Major alarm at Walchensee
At 3 p.m. there was a major alarm.
Several water guards, ambulances and a helicopter arrived after the rescue control center had reported several people floating in the water.
In fact, the rescuers discovered two canoeists in their boats in the area of the island of Sassau.
Wind and waves had made sure that the woman no longer dared to return to the safe shore.
In this precarious situation, the couple did not dial the emergency number, but called an acquaintance.
He in turn notified the control center - with the rather vague information he had from the phone call.
And because the situation was quite unclear, the rescue chain was set in motion.
"In this situation it is always better to call the emergency number 112 directly," says Grünwald.
Water rescuers at Walchensee experience a busy afternoon
An exhausted surfer who was facing insurmountable challenges from the south wind was brought ashore by the water watch around 4.30 p.m. A little later an emergency call was received again. A missing kite surfer was reported. A man had lost sight of his special and feared that something had happened to him. A search on the water, but also on the bank, began. Half an hour later the all clear: the wind had driven the kiter towards the south bank. There he had made it ashore and started walking home. "Fortunately, his specialist called again and said that he was back," says Grünwald. So the mission for the rescuers could be ended.
