RNLI Saltburn lifeguards rescue six surfers
On Wednesday 11 August, the lifeguard team at Saltburn rescued a large group of surfers after the strong winds blew them out to sea.
At around 2:15pm, the Saltburn lifeguard team spotted a large group of people on surfboards who had been swept out to sea. The strong offshore wind blew the surfers out towards The Ship Inn and prevented them from paddling back to shore.
RNLI Saltburn lifeguards immediately closed the red and yellow flagged zone because of the strong winds. They also contacted Humber Coastguard for assistance as around six people were struggling in the water.
Senior Lifeguard Ailsa Legg teamed up with newbie Matthew Sayer and grabbed the rescue boards.
Ailsa helped two of the surfers onto her rescue board, whilst towing one behind her with the rescue tube. Matthew helped two further casualties on his rescue board, whilst also assisting the remaining surfer who paddled alongside the lifeguarding duo.
The Saltburn team successfully returned all six casualties to shore, where they were given safety advice. None of the six sustained any injuries so no further assistance was required.
Ailsa updated Humber Coastguard on the rescue and informed them they no longer needed to be on standby.
One of the people rescued, Shana, praised the RNLI Saltburn team’s efforts: ‘Me and my family went out on surfboards yesterday at Saltburn Beach. Whilst having fun we failed to realise how far out the tide had taken us. We decided to try and make our way back to the beach and quickly realised we were out of our depth.
'Out of nowhere two lifeguards appeared from seemingly nowhere and they were so calm and friendly, which ensured the children didn’t panic.
'They pulled us all back to shore, I am so grateful for their vigilance and their help. Matty and Ailsa you were fantastic and we are forever grateful.’
Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Ryan Jennings praised Shana and her family for visiting a lifeguarded beach: ‘It was great that the surfers chose to swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.
'As soon as they came into any trouble, our lifeguard team was immediately there to help.
'If you decide to visit a beach this summer, please choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.'
For more information please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
Notes to editors
RNLI Saltburn lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/saltburn-beach
Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Ryan Jennings is available for interview.
RNLI/Derry Salter
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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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