RNLI lifeguards rescue kayaking family at Tolcarne

At 5.40pm, Senior RNLI Lifeguard Will Giles was on foot patrol at the water’s edge when he spotted a group of five kayakers drifting across the bay from the harbour. A large wave then capsized all five kayaks, throwing all five people into the water. The tide was going out and waves were around 1-2ft. 

Will responded immediately with a rescue board and paddled out to the group. Another RNLI lifeguard, Will Holmes, from neighbouring beach Great Western also responded and followed Will Giles into the water on another rescue board.

Marie Bennetts from Plymouth was one of the kayakers. She said: ‘We started off kayaking in the harbour and then we ventured out to sea. We were all happy and having a fantastic time. Conditions changed quickly though and the wind picked up. It started to get choppy so I decided we should all head back in.

‘A huge wave hit us side on and capsized us all in to the water. We were all wearing lifejackets but my kids were being taking out to sea and I was trying to swim against the current to get to them. I started panicking and I was exhausted trying to get to the children. The lifeguards were there instantly and I was shouting ‘my kids!’.’

The lifeguards rescued and returned the family back to the beach and assessed their condition. All the casualties were uninjured and had not inhaled any water.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Nathan Wilmer, said: ‘It’s vital to wear a lifejacket when kayaking as it will help keep you afloat while you wait for help to arrive. If you’re heading out on the water, enjoy yourself but be sure to check weather and tides before leaving and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.’

Marie added: ‘The RNLI lifeguards were fantastic. The situation escalated quickly and they were brilliant to respond. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what would have happened.’

To find out more, go to respectthewater.com/kayaking 

Notes to editors
•           From 2011 to 2015, the RNLI’s lifeboat crews in the south west launched 406 times to kayakers and canoeists, rescuing 298 people and saving 39 lives.

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