Warning that paddle boarders being blown out to sea are fuelling 20 PER CENT surge in lifeboat rescue missions amid steep increase in popularity of water sport

• The number saved by crews while paddle boarding more than doubled last year
• Have YOU been rescued while paddle boarding? Email [email protected]  

Paddle boarders being blown out to sea are fuelling a 20 per cent surge in lifeboat rescue missions amid a steep increase in the water sport’s popularity. 

The number of people in the UK and Ireland whose lives were saved by crews while kayaking or canoeing more than doubled last year, a spokesperson for the RNLI said. 

The lifeboat charity has joined forces with British Canoeing to encourage those using kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to make safety a priority as they prepare for an increase in visitors to the coast.

Crews in Anglesey rescued 37 people taking part in paddlesports last year, compared to just six people in 2021. 

Guy Lowdes, from Llandegla, North Wales, was rescued last December after getting into difficulty while kayaking with a group of 10 others near Holyhead, Anglesey.

Paddle boarders being blown out to sea are fuelling a 20 per cent surge in lifeboat rescue missions amid a steep increase in the water sport’s popularity (File image)

10 people got into difficulty last December while kayaking near Holyhead, Anglesey. A crewman is pictured watching over one of the kayaks in trouble during the ordeal 

He said: ‘I’m an experienced coastal kayaker and never did I expect to find myself in this situation, my kayak was capsized by a rogue wave and I found myself in the water on a very cold December afternoon.

‘The tide pushed me one way and my boat the other. I must have been in the water about 20 minutes.’

Mr Lowdes’ friend had a personal locator beacon with him so was able to call for help. A rescue operation, including a helicopter and two lifeboat crews, was launched.

The kayakers in Mr Lowdes’ group had split up and were in different places around the area, making the rescue more difficult.  

The HM Coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene first and used a smoke flare to help the lifeboat crews find the exact location of the person with the locator beacon, who was being assisted by another member the party. 

The Holyhead lifeboat crew then arrived and began communicating with two kayakers, one of whom had been in the water for around twenty minutes.

Mr Lowdes said: ‘I was starting to feel incredibly cold and poorly despite wearing a dry suit. I’m convinced if I’d have been there any longer with the failing light, we may never have been found.’ 

A kayak had to be brought aboard Holyhead’s all-weather lifeboat during the rescue 

The rest of the kayakers were found heading back to shore, and were safe and well.

Vince Jones, a mechanic for the RNLI in Moelfre, Anglesey, North Wales, said they have been inundated with calls to stand-up paddleboarders. 

Mr Jones said: ‘We want people to enjoy our stunning coastline but are urging people to think carefully before setting out.

‘Many of our calls are to people being blown out to sea in offshore winds. We ask people to think carefully about the weather and tides before setting off and ensure they have a means of calling for help.’

Last year footage was released showing the dramatic moment a woman paddleboarder was rescued after being swept over a mile out to sea.

The woman, in her 30s, was paddling close to the shore at Studland Beach, Dorset, when she was caught out by strong winds.

She spent half an hour desperately fighting the 24mph gusts to try and get back to land but to no avail.

Luckily onlookers saw her struggling and they called the coastguard.

A lifeboat crew raced to help a woman after she got into difficulty while paddle boarding in Dorset 

A lifeboat crew from Poole was launched and sped to pick up the woman who was found 1.2 miles from where she had started off. They took her back to shore at Knoll Beach. 

Anyone planning to stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe is advised to wear a bouyancy aid, carry a means of communication, check the weather before heading out, tell others of their plans and paddle within their abilities.

Lee Pooley, director of coaching and qualifications at British Canoeing said: ‘Whether you are kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding it is extremely important, no matter what your experience is, to follow some simple steps to keep yourself and others safe when out on the water.

‘Paddlesport is such an accessible and fun activity with significant benefits to mental and physical wellbeing. The UK has some outstanding waterways and coastline to explore, we just want everyone to take care and be safe whilst they enjoy their paddle.’

Source: Read Full Article