Kayaker Rescued After Spending 14 Hours At Sea

GAVIOTA, Calif. (AP) - Authorities in Santa Barbara County have rescued a kayaker who spent 14 hours at sea.

The sheriff's office says a Solvang man in his late 50s went kayaking alone Friday afternoon at Gaviota State Beach Park.

When he tried paddling back to shore, wind and current drove him back.

When he failed to return that night, his wife contacted authorities and a search began.

Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, a Coast Guard cutter spotted the kayak nine miles south of Gaviota beach.

The kayaker was wearing only a shirt, shorts and a life vest and had mild hypothermia.

He was taken to Santa Barbara harbor, checked out by paramedics and reunited with his wife.