A kite surfer is being hailed a hero for making his way into the surf zone to rescue a weak and struggling turtle from the crashing waves.
Ballito, South Africa (19 April 2021) – A turtle has been rescued in Ballito thanks to the help of a kite surfer and the NSRI.
Lorenzo Valenti, a co-founder of a Kitesurfing School called Fruitloops, spotted the turtle and noticed that it was being tumbled in the waves. Valenti called the Ballito NSRI to get assistance for the turtle.
“At 15h02, Sunday, 18 April, NSRI Ballito duty crew were activated following reports from a concerned member of the public of a sea turtle appearing to be in difficulty in the surf zone off-shore near to the La Mercy Lagoon.
We dispatched crew to investigate and on arrival on the scene it was established that the turtle was in the surf zone and appearing to be weak and unable to maintain itself and being thrown around in the waves.”
The tired turtle was really weak and trying to get on-shore where it would most likely have rested. The NSRI was assisted by a kite surfer who was able to get into the surf zone and guide the turtle to the safety of the shore.
“A local kite surfer went to the turtles’ aid and rescued the turtle from the surf zone bringing the turtle safely to the shore. The NSRI took the turtle into our care. The turtle appeared to be weak with some minor scratches and scrapes.”
uShaka Marine World was placed on alert and we were informed of a vet standing by to receive the turtle. The turtle was safely transported to the aquarium by our NSRI crew using our sea rescue vehicle and handed into the care of an Ushaka Marine World vet.
The turtle will be monitored, cared for and rehabilitated at uShaka Marine World. NSRI commend the kitesurfer who rescued the turtle from the surf zone.”
Once the turtle has been rehabilitated, it will be released back into the ocean.

Hi Tyler, thank you for this article. I was the kitesurfer who rescued the turtle. The turtle was also suffering from injuries caused by a shark. Glad that it is now on its way to recovery.
Please could you reference myself and my company fruitloops.co.za/. We were holding kitesurfing lessons there when I spotted the struggling turtle. I also have pictures from the rescue that I would be happy to share.
Thanks Lorenzo – the information from the NSRI did not include you but we have updated the article.