Not knowing all the details, you can only go from appearances. Looks like they were trying to fix a pair of spectacles with a 50 lb. sledge hammer. The wrong tool and over kill in short. A boat would have been more appropriate or even someone on a paddleboard or kayak. The guy could have well made it in on his own, many do under what seemed to be pretty mild conditions. Where was this?
Rescue services can be in a pickle perhaps not knowing the degree of need or lack there of, of a kiter with his kite on the water. I wrote an article a while back to try to help communication between the parties to avoid unnecessary rescues. More at:
"Kiteboarder In Need Of Rescue?"
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?p=32772#post32772
A pdf version complete with images is attached below.
A powerpoint presentation on the subject of kiter rescue that we prepared for the National conference of the USLA:
http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=7851