Coast Guard rescues trapped windsurfer from Lake Michigan

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The United State Coast Guard rescued a windsurfer in Lake Michigan after ice that blew too close to shore hindered him from returning to land.

According to officials the man’s name will not be released.

A watchstander at Coast Guard Station Sheboygan received a call from a good Samaritan at about 3 p.m. on Sunday regarding a windsurfer in distress nearly 200 yards from south Pierhead in Sheboygan.

An ice rescue team was dispatched and arrived on scene in less than 20 minutes where they immediately located the 34-year-old windsurfer.

Brian Rodrigues, a member of the ice rescue team, entered the water in an immersion suit while tethered to a rock onshore, before he was able to quickly reach the surfer and bring him back onto shore.

According to authorities the man was trying to get back onto shore for nearly an hour before help arrived; he was checked out by EMS before being released at the scene.

The Coast Guard wants to remind everyone that going onto the ice or into cold water unprepared can have life threatening results.

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