The kite-surfer was exhausted and drifting out to sea. [ Video ] 

Kinsale boat Freya, skippered by well-known Cork sailor Conor Doyle had just started the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race when a crew member spotted something in the water off Brittas Bay in Wicklow.

The yacht stopped racing and turned back to investigate - and found a kite surfer who was tangled in the ropes of his kit, exhausted and drifting out with the tide away from the land.

The crew were able to get the man out of the water and alert the Arklow lifeboat, which came out, collected the casualty and brought him back into harbour.