Porthcawl RNLI volunteer crew rescue surfer swept out to sea at Rest Bay
Yesterday evening (Wednesday 10 September 2025), a surfer was rescued by Porthcawl RNLI volunteer crew in dramatic scenes, after a member of the public on Locks Common at Rest Bay, spotted the surfer waving for help and dialled 999 for the Coastguard.
The crew had just sat down for a classroom training session at the lifeboat station when they were paged by HM Coastguard at 7.32pm and were able to launch the charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires within minutes of the launch request. A surfer had been swept out to sea by the rip current at the point in Rest Bay and was caught in the strong lateral current on an incoming tide. Porthcawl and Port Talbot Coastguard rescue teams were also tasked to the incident.
Helm Gareth Collins said:
'It was a quick launch of the Atlantic 85 as the crew were already at the lifeboat station.
'Despite the strong winds gusting to force 7/8 and rough seas, we were able to get on scene within a few minutes of the call and the crew spotted the surfer off Hutchwns Point.
'I manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside the surfer and the crew pulled him onboard. He was in good spirits and otherwise unharmed. We then returned to the lifeboat station with the surfer onboard where we were met by Coastguard rescue officers.
‘The strong lateral current at Rest Bay on the incoming tide had caused the surfer to drift over half a mile from the main bay.
'We have the second largest tidal range in the world in the Bristol Channel and are currently on large spring tides which cause fast moving currents. Once the surfer realised he was caught by the lateral current he did the right thing by staying with his board to help him stay afloat and waving to the shore for help. Had he attempted to get out onto rocks he would have sustained injuries due to the heavy swell breaking onto them.’
- Don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted.
- If you can stand, wade don’t swim.
- If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.
- Always raise your hand and shout for help.
For further advice on rip currents: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents
Now that full time RNLI lifeguard patrols have ended on our local beaches, always read safety signage at the beach before going in the water. If visiting Rest Bay and going in the water, always stay to the golf club side of the lifeguard station and get out of the water when you drift passed the lifeguard station.
In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.