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What’s it like to be caught in a rip?

Mawgan Porth lifeguards race to the rescue of a paddler caught in a rip current.

It was a sunny, warm day in June. Jon, a retired police officer from Yorkshire, was on holiday in Cornwall when he decided to go for a swim at Mawgan Porth – a beach he had been to many times before. 

Jon made his way into the water between the red and yellow flags, cautiously paddling up to his waist. Suddenly he was caught by a rip current. ‘It was like trying to walk up a water flume. It was that quick.’ He immediately knew he was in trouble. ‘As soon as I lifted one foot to make headway, it was taking me back’. 

Jon knew the RNLI’s safety advice – he tried to float by leaning back, extending his arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around. But the rip was taking him further and further out. Jon managed to glance back towards the shore and saw he’d been swept far out to sea.

Back on shore, Alex, Tori and Theresa had spotted Jon – and we were on their way to rescue him. Watch the video below to hear about this amazing rescue: 

We can only be there for people like Jon because of you. Your kindness powers every rescue. If you can, please consider a donation to the RNLI to keep our lifesavers ready to launch.

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