A stranded kite surfer was rescued by a helicopter after he spelled out the word 'HELP' using rocks on a California beach.

The distressed watersports fanatic found himself trapped on an inaccessible stretch of sand, just south of the Davenport Landing on June 9.

Spotting the call for help from above, a private helicopter promptly alerted authorities, initiating the rescue operation.

Video footage from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's San Mateo and Santa Cruz unit shows a CAL Fire helicopter lowering a first responder down to the stranded kite surfer.

After ensuring the individual's safety by securing him, both were winched above the cliff to safety.

Officials were unsure how the surfer became stranded or how long he was at the beach but said he was unharmed. They warned him to check the weather conditions before his next thrill-seeking expedition and stay closer to the shore.

Kite surfing, also known as kiteboarding, is a wind-powered extreme water sport that uses the power of the wind to propel people across the water's surface with a large controllable kite. I is a fusion of surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and paragliding.