The Broughty Ferry lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from Prestwick were involved in the rescue.
A windsurfer sparked a search and rescue operation off the coast of Fife on Friday afternoon.
A helicopter from Prestwick and the Broughty Ferry RNLI lifeboat were summoned to the St Andrews area shortly before 2.55pm following a report of concern for a person in the water.
On arrival, lifeboat crews reported a 3-4 metre sea swell and an extensive search was conducted in the area.
However, a spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that the incident had been a “false alarm with good intent”, and the windsurfer had been traced safe and well.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “It’s getting quite rough out there and we believe the windsurfer had started off at East Sands and was working their way around to West Sands when people lost sight of him.
“We have since spoken to the windsurfer who has confirmed that he was the only person in the water at the time.”
The crew aboard the helicopter conducted a search of the area as a precaution before returning to Prestwick.
The lifeboat had returned to station in ready for any further calls by 6.05pm.
