Ah, Summertime: get out of town and find a setting with natural beauty, comfortable weather, diminished crowds, and easy access to water-lake, stream, or river. Here in the High Sierra we have it all, in Tahoma alongside Lake Tahoe: The Gem of California. One can say a lot about the once 'Golden State" and despite modern day changes, the natural beauty found north and south, east and west, remains attractive. Maybe, too attractive.
Yesterday afternoon/evening, the Mayor was at the beach and enjoying the calm water's edge with few vacationers still around. Looking east over the still waters, the Mayor observed a few paddle boarders taking in a late day exercise. Two had 2 persons on board, another was solo. They were off shore about 6-700 yards. After some few minutes, the Mayor observed two boarders take to the water and soon began to kick for the shore. Now the time has reached about 7:00pm, a time when few folks remain on the lake: it's dinnertime and they're tired of all the fun. Under close observation with binoculars, it appears to this viewer that not only are the 2 in the water, only one is making any effort to move the board toward shore- not good.
Locals and many visitors know about water temperature and hypothermia, many do not. Soon the Mayor has a growing concern for these 2. Now enough time has passed, and the situation has changed: the element of danger is now in the equation- now it's decision time, Call for help or wait? Too much time has passed, and the sun is setting over the western edge of the rim. The call is made: first to Meeks Bay Fire, house line. Recording only, closed for the day(admin). Next call: 9-1-1.
1st question: Why are you calling and what is your emergency? Appropriately, information is requested by the agency dispatcher. Simultaneously, the Mayor observes a jet ski speeding in the direction of the 2 boarders in the water. This is relayed to dispatch. In a minute, one boarder climbs aboard and the jet ski cranks the motor and heads into Meeks Bay shore. The lone person in the water clutches the side of the board. After the drop, the jet skier does a 180 turn and returns to the individual still in the lake. After arriving at the site, the swimmer/boarder is taken aboard with help, and then the board is attached with a line, also a large inflatable doughnut is fixed aboard. Then a quick trip back to the beach. A successful rescue.
The 9-1-1 dispatcher asks if there's a need for more help. No, not at this time. Condition of the boarders is unknown, but the nearby fire station can handle any medical attention if needed. Thank you.
At the same time, there are 2 other parties in the vicinity on their board(s), about 200 yards apart. Fortunately, conditions are ideal: no wind or stiff breezes, temperature(air) in the mid-seventies, and locations are easily observed and easily achieved. The jet skier returns w/o passengers and stops to assess both parties. Both decline assistance; skier returns, and both parties are soon picked up by boaters, no doubt were called by boarders themselves-ah, cell phones!
So, a few happy folks have a story to tell with a happy ending. Newsworthy, sure. Unlike other timely reports from the Midwest/East.
Have a nice, safe day.
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