Longsands RNLI lifeguards assist kite surfer whilst on training
Last Tuesday (5 June) Longsands RNLI lifeguards were out training when the team noticed a kite surfer struggling in difficult sea conditions.
The lifeguards were training new team members on rescue paddle boards when concerns grew over a male surfer who was struggling to relaunch his kite.
The kite surfer had got into difficulty 200m out to sea when his 12m2 kite went down into the water and flooded. Strong inshore winds and 2m swells were also making it difficult for him to relaunch the kite that he was tethered to.
Longsands RNLI lifeguards were 50m away from the kite surfer, training for their lifesaving roles over the busy summer period, and so were able to get to him quickly and assist before the situation worsened.
Whilst tackling the tough sea conditions, the charity’s lifeguards were able to reach the male kite surfer and get him onto the rescue board to bring him safely back to the shore, an exercise the team had practised that same morning.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Sandy Kerr said: ‘These were very fortunate circumstances as our RNLI lifeguards were already out on their rescue boards training new team members, and they had performed an exercise that morning to prepare for this particular type of situation.
‘All of our lifeguards go through an extensive period of training so that they are prepared for any type of situation and the RNLI can continue preventing lives lost at sea throughout the busy summer months. We advise everybody heading to the beach to stay safe, respect the water, and choose a beach supervised by our RNLI lifeguards.
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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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