St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat launches to Charity Wing-Foil Duo
St Agnes RNLI’s D-Class lifeboat was launched on Monday evening after reports of two wing-foilers in difficulty near St Agnes Head.
The volunteer crew’s pagers sounded at 4:16pm after members of the public called emergency services to report two wing-foilers apparently struggling in the sea near Bawden Rocks, St Agnes. Wing-foiling or ‘winging’ is an extreme sport where participants use a wing shaped kite and ride a board with a hydrofoil beneath it. Top speeds can be more than 30 miles an hour.
As the lifeboat launched, the wing-foilers could be seen moving at speed in a north easterly direction. Volunteer lifeboat helm, Lloyd Stein made the decision to check the status of the wing-foilers and set course to meet them. Happily, Stein and the volunteer crew found two well equipped and competent men, Steve Bowens and Simon Osborne, who were embarking on the first leg of a round Britain trip in aid of Cancer Research UK.
One of the wing-foilers, Steve Bowens, said,
“We are just so lucky to live in a country where we have such an amazing service and where people are good enough to show concern and call for help. We are in touch with the coastguard and are letting them know our plans each day.”
Stein reported,
“Both men were well equipped with VHF radios, personal locator beacons and other appropriate safety equipment. They had lost wind around the Borden Rocks area but were safe at all times.”
Despite this, Stein pointed out that both HM Coastguard and the RNLI would much rather the public called 999 if they see something of concern than not.
“We are here to save lives at sea. We would much rather launch and find that all is well than for someone to be in danger and unassisted.”
The two wing-foilers set out on their 3,000-kilometer journey from St Ives on Sunday. They are hoping to raise at least £10,000 for Cancer Research UK in memory of Simon’s brother Mark, who sadly lost his life to cancer. Supporters can follow the pair’s progress and donate to Cancer Research UK by visiting
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.
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