Crews Rescue Windsurfer In Distress Off Sandy Point, Fire Officials Say

WATCH HILL, RI — A windsurfer was hospitalized after he was rescued from the waters near Sandy Point, according to the Watch Hill Fire Department.

The Watch Hill, Stonington Borough, and Pawcatuck fire departments responded to assist a male windsurfer in distress at 1:35 p.m. Monday. A concerned Stonington resident had made the 911 call.

Crews located the windsurfer just off of Folly of Sandy Point, where he had been struggling for over an hour against strong winds and currents brought on by this weekends nor’easter, fire officials said. He had been unable to return to shore or get back on his board.

Crews rescued the windsurfer by boat and took him to shore. He was evaluated by Westerly Ambulance and taken to a local hospital in non-life-threatening condition.

"We are grateful for the quick actions and teamwork of all agencies involved," the Watch Hill Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post. "This successful rescue is a testament to the value of our strong mutual aid partnerships and dedicated responders for the second time on a holiday Monday."