A stranded windsurfer who used rocks to spell out the word "HELP" on a remote Santa Cruz County beach was rescued Sunday after being spotted by a helicopter, officials said.

The windsurfer got stuck on the sand of a cliffside beach south of Davenport Landing, Cal Fire CZU said in a post on social media. He told rescuers that despite being a veteran windsurfer, he found himself in a situation that he couldn't escape from.

The windsurfer took off from Davenport Landing Beach and got pushed down the coastline to the point where he got trapped.

"It was actually very windy out as well, probably 25-plus MPH wind," Cal Fire Capt. Sean Ketchum said.

On the beach, the windsurfer was surrounded by 100-foot cliffs and a rising tide.

"It is an extremely beautiful place to work and live," Cal Fire

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