
RNLI lifeguards rescue five paddleboarders at Runswick Bay
On Saturday 30 July, the lifeguard team at Runswick Bay rescued three children and two adults who were swept out to sea on their paddleboards.
At around 3:20pm, the lifeguards at Runswick Bay became aware of five paddleboarders who were struggling to get back to shore due to the strong winds.
Senior Lifeguard Ailsa Legg and lifeguard Harry Deluce immediately entered the water with rescue boards. When they reached the five paddleboarders, all were in good condition, but the children were starting to tire.
The lifeguard duo assisted the three children back to shore on their rescue boards, before returning to the two adults, who swam alongside the lifeguards.
The paddleboarders did not require any medical assistance.
Lifeguard Supervisor Rianna Manson praised the paddleboarders for visiting a lifeguarded beach: ‘We are glad the five decided to visit a lifeguarded beach. As soon as they found themselves struggling, our lifeguards were on hand to help.
'Paddleboarding can be fun, but strong offshore winds can quickly turn it dangerous as you can be quickly swept out to sea. People can soon find it exhausting trying to swim back to shore. Before entering the water this summer, ensure you check your local beach’s weather conditions.
'If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble in and around the water when visiting a lifeguarded beach, please dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.'
For more information on how to stay safe this summer, please visit: RNLI Beach Safety – Top Five Tips To Stay Safe By The Sea
Notes to editors
RNLI Runswick Bay lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: Runswick Bay Beach - Lifeguarded beaches (rnli.org)
Lifeguard Supervisor Rianna Manson is available for interview.
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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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