Surfer rescued by Porthcawl RNLI team
RNLI lifeguards and Porthcawl lifeboat crew rescued a learner surfer who was caught in a rip current off Rest Bay on Sunday afternoon.
At 1:20pm RNLI lifeguards spotted a learner surfer caught in a rip current and drifting across the beach in strong winds off Rest Bay. RNLI lifeguards tried to warn the surfer of the danger by advising him to return to shore using the 4x4 PA system. Unfortunately due to the tricky conditions the surfer was unable to paddle back to the Black and White flagged area and continued to drift further towards the rock.
RNLI lifeguard and Rest Bay Surf Club member, Ioan Bluck entered the water and paddled over to the struggling surfer. As Ioan was securing the surfer on the rescue board, his colleague Lewis Evans had alerted the Coastguard who requested the launch of Porthcawl lifeboat.
Both Ioan and the surfer were picked up by Porthcawl lifeboat volunteers and taken through the surf safely back to shore.
RNLI lifeguards provide a daily safety service on four Porthcawl beaches from 10am-6pm throughout the summer holidays.
For more information on how to stay safe on the beach this summer please visit: www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.