Praa Sands RNLI lifeguards rescue kayakers being pushed out to sea by the wind
Praa Sands RNLI lifeguards rescued a mother and daughter Sunday afternoon (8 July) after they were spotted struggling against the strong offshore wind.
The two casualties, a mother and daughter who were sharing a kayak, were spotted struggling some 200m off shore.
RNLI lifeguards Anna Steele-Perkins and Kieran Roberts immediately launched their inshore rescue boat (IRB) to assist the casualties. Once at the scene, the lifeguards helped them into the IRB and back to shore. The lifeguards then towed the kayak back to shore.
This was the second rescue for the RNLI lifeguards at Praa Sands on Sunday as earlier in the day, two stand up paddleboarders (SUP) were also being pushed out to sea in the strong wind. Both casualties were brought back to shore by the lifeguards in the IRB who then recovered the paddleboards.
Adam Harris, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for the area, said:
‘Although the weather and surf conditions on Sunday were good, the casualties in both instances were struggling against a strong offshore wind that was pushing them out to sea.
Due to the light, buoyant design of a stand up paddle board, in an offshore breeze, you can easily find yourself a long way from the shore and it can be difficult to get back. The RNLI always advises to avoid paddleboarding in offshore winds and to take a form of communication out with you in case you do find yourself in difficulty.
When kayaking, the RNLI advises to carry a means of calling for help and to keep within reach of the shore. Due to the location of the casualties on Sunday afternoon lifeguards were easily able to reach and assist them when they became in trouble’
Notes to Editor
- Video attached: RNLI lifeguards Anna Steele-Perkins and Kieran Roberts assisting the two kayakers
- RNLI lifeguards patrol over 249 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands
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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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 150 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 139,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
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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