Galway RNLI rescues kite surfer in difficulty near Ballyloughane Beach
Galway RNLI rescued a kite surfer who got into difficulty between Hare Island and Rabbit Island off Ballyloughane beach this evening (Saturday 22 August 2020).
The alarm was raised by a member of the public at 5pm and the Irish Coast Guard sought the assistance of Galway RNLI's inshore lifeboat.
The man who is in his early 30s had set off from Ballyloughane beach at about 4.50pm as the tide was going out with a north westerly breeze of Force 3 to 4. He came off the board a number of times and became heavily fatigued. He was blown onto Rabitt Island from where he was rescued by the lifeboat crew at about 5.20pm.
Mike Cummins, Galway RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, said: 'A key factor when taking to the water for any water sports activities is a knowledge of the local tides and wind direction.'
The volunteer crew on the call out this evening were Helm Declan Killilea, Brian Niland, Joanne Casserly and David McGrath with shore crew Sean King and David Oliver.
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