RNLI lifeguard races 200m to save paddleboarder swept out to sea
A calm, sunny afternoon at St Andrews East Sands beach quickly turned into a race against the wind, as an unexpected change in weather set the scene for a swift RNLI rescue.
RNLI lifeguard Bradley Schreiber was on duty with senior lifeguard Valantis when the incident happened at around 1.30pm on Sunday.
Bradley says: ‘It was a sunny, busy day and we’d just moved our flags and equipment further up the beach because of the incoming tide. At first, conditions were calm and I saw two young girls preparing to paddleboard between the red and yellow flags – our primary surveillance area – so I knew they were in the safest place to launch.’
One of the girls had more experience with a paddleboard and as she taught her friend the ropes, a direct offshore wind picked up in minutes, pulling the less experienced girl quickly away from shore.
Bradley adds: ‘She was only a few strokes out when I noticed how fast the wind was taking her. When her friend swam out and waved for help, we knew we had to act immediately.’
Grabbing his rescue board, rescue tube and radio, Bradley paddled towards the girl, passing her friend who confirmed she was okay herself, just concerned for her friend as the gap widened between them.
Bradley says: ‘By the time I reached her, she was about 200 metres offshore. I called out, told her I was a lifeguard, and asked her to lie flat on her board to slow her drift and make it easier for me to reach her. Once I hooked her board to my rescue tube, I paddled us both back in.’
Bradley and the girl returned safely to shore, where her mother was waiting with the senior lifeguard.
Bradley adds: ‘It was a successful rescue, the kind we train for every day. It’s a reminder that even on a sunny, calm day, offshore winds can pick up quickly and carry you out to sea before you realise the depth of the risk.’
The RNLI is urging anyone heading out on a paddleboard to always wear a leash and buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, and check the wind direction before going afloat.
ENDS
Notes to editors
· RNLI lifeguards are currently on duty at the following East Scotland beaches: Coldingham Bay, Silver Sands (Aberdour), Burntisland, Leven, Elie, St Andrews East Sands, St Andrews West Sands and Broughty Ferry.
· Interviews with RNLI lifeguards can be arranged upon request.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Emma Lees, RNLI Communications Placement for Scotland, 07710 246 495, [email protected]
Richard Smith, Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07824 305 350, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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