Porthcawl RNLI safety warning following multiple launches to paddleboarders

The safety warning comes after Porthcawl RNLI's volunteer crew launched the charity's lifeboats to five separate incidents during the afternoon and evening of Thursday (10 July). Four of the launches were to people using stand up paddleboards (SUP's).

Launch authority Mike Cinderby said: 'Nearly all of the launches on Thursday were to paddleboarders. At least three of those launches were to paddleboarders who were struggling in strong tidal currents and were taken to safety onboard our lifeboats. If you’re visiting the coast check conditions and tide times before you go using a trusted online source, such as the Met Office. The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world. We are currently experiencing spring tides which increases the speed the tide comes in and causes fast moving tidal currents. This puts the public at great risk of being cut off or getting into difficulty in fast moving tidal currents.'

The first tasking request on Thursday was to assist a paddleboarder struggling in the tidal current off Witches Point, Southerndown came from HM Coastguard at 4.12pm following a report they'd received from RNLI lifeguards at Southerndown. The charity's Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires was launched on service and made best speed towards Southerndown locating the paddleboarder off Whitmore Stairs, Southerndown. The paddleboarder was taken onboard the lifeboat and dropped back to the beach at Dunraven Bay, Southerndown.

The next tasking from HM Coastguard came at 6.10pm to 3 teenagers on a paddleboard following a 999 call from a fisherman on the breakwater. The 3 teenagers were on one paddleboard and were struggling against the tidal current and having difficulty staying on the board. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires was launched and located the 3 teenagers between Rhych Point and Newton Point. The 3 teenagers were taken onboard the lifeboat and dropped to safety at the beach at Sandy Bay (Coney Beach).

Immediately after the lifeboat was recovered and being washed down a further tasking request came for paddleboarders between Irongate Point and Hutchwns Point following a report they may be waving for assistance. When the Atlantic 85 lifeboat crew arrived on scene they found the pair and their dog on two paddleboards safe and well and the lifeboat stood by until the pair were safely around Hutchwns Point.

The final tasking from HM Coastguard came at 8.44pm following concerns for a person in the water at Sandy Bay. The charity's D Class Hugo Missen was launched on service to find the person was safely out of the water. The D Class then received a further tasking to paddleboarders reported to be in difficulty at Rest Bay. Once on scene the crew liaised with 2 pairs of paddleboarders who initially said they required no assistance. However whilst the D Class was on scene one of the paddleboarders fell off and got caught in the rip current at the point in Rest Bay. The paddleboarder was recovered onto the lifeboat and dropped ashore at the beach.

Porthcawl Coastguard Team and Port Talbot Coastguard Team were also tasked to these incidents.

Mike who only recently qualified as a launch authority at Porthcawl along with Bleddyn Bridge continued, ‘This was an incredibly busy few hours for our volunteer crew and it quickly found me putting the training to use as a launch authority.

'With the hot weather forecast for this weekend, we are encouraging the public to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach.

‘If you are going paddleboarding please take care of strong tidal currents this weekend. Wear a buoyancy aid and take a phone in a waterproof pouch. Avoid offshore winds.

‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can.

‘If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.'

Find your nearest lifeguarded beach here: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

For paddleboarding safety tips: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding

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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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