RNLI lifeguards in action for first time in Porthcawl
RNLI lifeguards and Porthcawl lifeboat volunteers were both involved on Saturday (7 May) after a windsurfer got into difficulty off Trecco Bay.
The incident came a week after the RNLI lifeguards took up their posts on Trecco Bay and Coney Beach as part of a new seasonal service in Porthcawl.
Senior RNLI lifeguard Mat Picton and fellow lifeguards Sara Phillips and Rob Jones noticed the windsurfer in difficulty at about 4pm.
The windsurfer had been blown offshore in the strong wind and the lifeguards were not confident they would be able to make it back to shore without assistance.
Rob Jones paddled out to the windsurfer on a rescue board, but the wind was blowing him around the point towards Newton Beach and further away from Rob.
The lifeguards decided to call HM Coastguard to request assistance and Porthcawl RNLI was tasked to launch its Atlantic 85 class lifeboat.
By the time the lifeboat arrived the windsurfer had managed to make it most of the way in to the beach. The lifeboat accompanied him to shore and issued safety advice.
Last weekend (April 30) saw RNLI lifeguards on duty on the beaches of Porthcawl for the first time as part of a new seasonal lifeguard service run in partnership by Bridgend County Borough Council and the Institution.
Lifeguards will be providing a daily safety service on Trecco Bay and Coney Beach throughout the summer between 10am and 6pm. Rest Bay and Pink Bay will see RNLI lifeguards on duty daily from 28 May and 2 July respectively.
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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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