HONOLULU (AP) -- A teenager in Hawaii was recovering Friday after spending more than 11 hours clinging to a kayak before being rescued during an overnight ocean search by an off-duty lifeguard and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Teenage kayaker Kahiau Kawai, who became separated from his high school paddling team in the ocean off Honolulu, was rescued after spending the night clinging to his kayak.

The Coast Guard rescued a 17-year-old kayaker that had become separated from his high school team, capsized and clung to his kayak for hours.

The teenager who survived the night in waters of Waikiki after his kayak capsized is sharing his story. Get Hawaii’s latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You He is still recovering in the hospital with his mom by his side.

He had been treading water for nearly 12 hours, according to the Coast Guard. The crew deployed a flare to mark their position and directed a nearby “good Samaritan boater” to where they were, the Coast Guard said.