People
'It was like trying to swim on a treadmill': Euan's story
Close your eyes and imagine that you’re swimming in the sea, trying to get back to shore. But rather than moving forwards, you’re on a treadmill and going nowhere. Does it feel terrifying? That’s how Euan and his brother felt when they got caught in a powerful rip current at Longsands Beach last May.
Euan, aged 22, and his brother Andrew, aged 20, headed out for a surf together at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth. Thanks to its flat sands and easy access to waves, this beach is a popular choice for water lovers – from kayakers and paddleboarders to surfers and sailors.
It was a relatively calm day, with big enough swells for a chilled but fun surf. ‘I only started surfing about a year ago, but I spent a lot of time in the water on holiday while I was growing up,’ says Euan. ‘So I know a bit about the sea and risks to watch out for.’
Euan and Andrew checked the weather and surf forecast before heading out, but RNLI lifeguards weren’t due to start their season on Longsands Beach for another 2 days.
The brothers rented their surfboards from a hire centre at the beach. ‘We got a safety briefing from the team at the hire centre, and they told us about the risk of rip currents,’ says Euan.
‘He was heading straight towards the rocks’
When they got into the water, Euan realised his surfboard wasn’t the right size for the conditions or his surfing ability, so he went back ashore to get a different board.
As he started to make his way back to the water, Euan saw Andrew getting pulled towards some rocks at the edge of the bay. ‘At first, I tried to shout for him to come back into shore a bit. But when I saw him getting even closer to the rocks, I thought he must be caught in a rip current,’ recalls Euan. Panicking, Euan dropped his board and ran as fast as he could into the sea.
Managing to reach Andrew and his surfboard, Euan quickly realised the rip current was now pulling them both out to sea. They let go of the board, hoping it might slow them down. But when they both tried to swim, it was even harder to fight against the rip. ‘It was like trying to swim on a treadmill,’ remembers Euan.
Separated at sea
Without the board, the brothers struggled to stay together. ‘We were getting dragged further and further away from each other – I was getting pulled out to sea, and Andrew was getting pushed towards the rocks. Before I knew it, I couldn’t see him anymore,’ says Euan.
Remembering RNLI Float to Live ads that he’d seen on TV, Euan started floating on his back. ‘I could see the ad in my head. It obviously stuck with me enough that I remembered it when I needed it,’ says Euan.
Still unable to see Andrew, Euan assumed the worst. ‘Horrible thoughts were running through my mind. I thought my brother was dead. On top of that, I was trying to process whether I’d make it out safe myself,’ says Euan. ‘But I knew I had to try and stay as calm as possible to keep myself afloat.’
It was only when a wave threw Euan high up in the water that he was able to catch a glimpse of Andrew. ‘I managed to shout across to him, telling him to float on his back and stay calm,’ says Euan. Within seconds, Andrew was out of sight again.
The next 10 minutes were tough for Euan. He was cold and scared, with only the eerie sound of the waves rolling over him to keep him company.
Suddenly another wave threw Euan up in the water, and he spotted someone in the distance running along the shore. ‘It looked like Andrew, so I really hoped it was him,’ says Euan. ‘It gave me the little bit of faith I needed to stay focused on floating.’
The launch to Euan’s rescue
The person Euan saw was Andrew after all – three big waves pushed him close enough to shore that he was able to swim out of the rip. But Euan was still out there, desperately hoping for help.
Passersby saw what was happening and called 999, asking for the Coastguard. The Cullercoats crew launched their B class lifeboat. They powered through the waves to get to Euan as quickly as possible, who was still floating on his back.
‘I had no idea if anyone had called for help. When I saw the lifeboat coming over the horizon, that was the moment I knew I was safe. I was very aware that I probably wouldn’t survive if I didn’t get help, so I felt a huge sense of relief,’ says Euan.
The crew pulled up alongside Euan and quickly got him into the lifeboat. Despite seeing who he thought was Andrew, Euan still didn’t know for certain if his brother was safe. ‘As soon as I saw the crew, I asked them about Andrew,’ says Euan. ‘When they told me he was OK, it was such a relief. I had to ask them multiple times to make sure. There were points when I really thought I’d lost him.’
Reunited at last
The Cullercoats volunteers brought Euan safely back to shore. He was checked over and cared for by a paramedic, as he was slightly hypothermic.
Once he was able to leave, all Euan could think about was getting to Andrew. ‘When we saw each other again, it was very emotional,’ says Euan. ‘I think we were both still in shock, as it took a while to process everything that had happened to us. But I was just so happy to see him.’
‘The crew were so friendly. I had no idea they were volunteers and rescue people like me around their full-time jobs and studies,’ says Euan. ‘They’re incredible. Ultimately, I owe them my life. I’m so grateful for everything they did.’
Do you know how to float?
No matter how you end up in trouble in the water, Float to Live. You can learn how to float with these five simple steps:
- Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
- Relax and try to control your breathing.
- Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
- Your legs may sink but that’s OK – everyone floats differently.
- Find your float by practising at a supervised location, such as your local swimming pool.
Watch this video to hear Euan tell his story, where he explains how the RNLI’s Float to Live advice helped save his life.
A half-marathon a day in May: Euan and Andrew’s Mayday Mile Challenge
As a way of giving back to the lifesavers, Euan and Andrew are taking on the Mayday Mile. But they’re not just running a mile a day in May. Instead, they’re running a half-marathon a day in May.
‘Donations are vital for keeping the RNLI going, so we really wanted to do something to support the volunteers,’ says Euan.
To find out more and support their extraordinary challenge, head to their fundraising page.
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