Exmouth RNLI Lifeguards assist windsurfer in difficulty
On Sunday 28 June lifeguards on Exmouth beach were at the end of their shift when they spotted and rescued a kitesurfer struggling in the conditions.
Having already assisted a kitesurfer in difficulty at 6pm, lifeguards at Exmouth beach were packing up for the day when, at 6.25pm, they spotted a young kitesurfer with her kite down being pushed rapidly towards Maer Rocks by the strong westerly wind and current.
Lifeguard Dom Brown immediately launched the rescue watercraft (RWC) and proceeded to the scene, where the kitesurfer was struggling to stay afloat and could not release herself from her equipment. Dom threw her a floatation device and returned to pick up lifeguard Jake Butt to assist as crew on the RWC.
Jake, himself a keen kitesurfer, entered the water and was able to release the casualty from her equipment, assisting the casualty safely back to shore and recovering her equipment.
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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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