Paddleboarders rescued by RNLI lifeguards on Portrush West Strand

RNLI lifeguards were kept busy over the weekend as crowds flocked to the beach to cool off from the heatwave.

The lifeguards on Portrush West strand, a beach monitored by two RNLI lifeguard huts, spotted the paddleboarders failing to make any progress against the strong winds. RNLI lifeguards Ellen Gibbons and Oran Clyde who were patrolling the beach, each grabbed a rescue board and quickly launched into action.

As soon as they reached the paddleboarders they transferred them onto the rescue board and began to make their way back to shore.

Speaking to RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Annie Jagoe, she said: ‘This was a great team effort by everyone involved. We’re incredibly proud of the calm and professional actions of Ellen and Oran on their first ever rescue.’

Annie added: ‘Whether you are a beginner or more experienced with stand-up paddleboarding, we advise following key safety measures such as:

• Wearing a buoyancy aid that provides extra floatation in the water should you fall in
• Carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch to use in an emergency
• Wearing the correct leash to stay connected to your board if you get into trouble and need help to stay afloat
• And to avoid offshore winds that can quickly blow you and your paddleboard far out to sea, making it difficult to paddle back to shore. To know when the wind is offshore, keep an eye out for the orange windsock on lifeguarded beaches to see which way the wind is blowing.’

Ends

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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