
RNLI lifeguards rescue 27 people on busy Sunday at Bantham
RNLI lifeguards were called into action 27 times on Sunday (October 13) to rescue surfers and kayakers in difficult conditions on Bantham beach in Devon
The south coast of the region saw a big swell on Sunday with four-to-six-foot waves, coupled with strong rip currents meant challenging conditions for those looking to enjoy the water.
RNLI lifeguards used the RWC (Rescue Water Craft) for most of the rescues as they aided surfers who had lost their boards or got stuck in rip currents, as well as assisting a kayaker who had been caught out in the tough conditions.
The large surf attracted many water users to the area and the lifeguards spent a lot of time advising people on the conditions and how best to enjoy the water safely.
Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor for the South Hams and East Devon, Luke-Lane-Prokopiou said: ‘I’m extremely proud of our team who showed great skill to rescue so many people on a challenging afternoon.
‘A lot of work goes into training our lifeguards to be proficient on the RWC and today showed why it is so important as our lifeguards were able to use that training to great effect in responding quickly and efficiently to aid those who had got into trouble. ‘We’d like to remind the public that we are currently operating a reduced lifeguard service with patrols only taking place at Bantham on weekends and during the upcoming October half-term. If you see no flags that means no lifeguards are present.
If you are heading out into the water outside of lifeguard hours be aware of the conditions and your capabilities in the water, take a means of communication with you, tell somebody where you are going and if you do see someone in trouble dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.’
The RNLI offers the following advice about what to do if you find yourself in a rip current:
Don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted.
- If you can stand, wade don’t swim.
- If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.
- Always raise your hand and shout for help.
Notes to editors
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First photo shows the lifeguards involved in the rescue, from left to right -Noah Hindley, Matt Pyman, Emily Lawrence and Luke Lane-Prokopiou
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Second photo shows Noah Hindley on the RWC
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Key facts about the RNLI
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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.