Frankie’s story: ‘I thought I was going to die’

It was a calm day in May 2022. Frankie and her friend Sarah-Jane had decided to go paddleboarding in Penarth. They’d planned to paddle to the end of the pier and back, before grabbing some chips and heading home. 

But their plan was derailed when Frankie was caught by a strong offshore wind and a fierce current and dragged out to sea. 

Frankie was understandably terrified. ‘At one point, I was two miles from the shore’, she says. ‘I can honestly say I was the most frightened I have ever been in my life.’

Sarah-Jane was able to get back to shore and raise the alarm. Both of the lifeboats at Penarth RNLI launched to search for Frankie – and it wasn’t long before they found her. 

Frankie remembers: ‘When they reached me it was just an absolute relief. By the time they got to me, I couldn’t see land. I honestly thought I was going to die. Then I realised that I was safe, and I was with people who were going to take me back to the shore. There was just overwhelming relief.'

You can be a lifesaver

As the beaches fill up this summer, our lifesavers will be at their busiest. With more people drawn to the water, more people will get into danger. People like Frankie. It could be you or someone you love. Our crews need to be ready to answer the call for help and that takes lifeboats, kit, equipment and training.. 

Your support this Mayday will help save lives.