Capsized kayakers rescued from cold

Two kayakers were rescued after capsizing in windy conditions on Lake Wanaka yesterday morning.

Acting Sergeant Phil Vink said the two men phoned emergency services shortly after 11am after falling from their kayaks near Mou Tapu Island and having to swim to the peninsula opposite.

They had been paddling from Mou Waho Island, further up the lake, where they had been camping with a third man and a woman.

The other two in the party had both turned back to Mou Waho because of the rough lake conditions.

Acting Sgt Vink said the men spent up to 10 minutes in the water and were concerned about hypothermia, although they had a dry change of clothing and a sleeping bag to keep them warm while they waited on the shore for help.

Coastguard Wanaka Lakes retrieved the men - who did not require medical treatment - before continuing to Mou Waho to collect the other two kayakers.

The Coastguard volunteers reported winds of up to 74kmh on the lake, Acting Sgt Vink said.

He said the kayakers were aged in their early 20s and some of them had ''middle-of-the-road'' gear and lacked the experience to deal with the difficult lake conditions.

lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz

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