Have YOU been rescued whereas paddle boarding?

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

The variety of folks within the UK and Eire whose lives have been saved by crews whereas kayaking or canoeing greater than doubled final yr, a spokesperson for the RNLI stated.

The lifeboat charity has joined forces with British Canoeing to encourage these utilizing kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to make security a precedence as they put together for a rise in guests to the coast.

Crews in Anglesey rescued 37 folks participating in paddlesports final yr, in comparison with simply six folks in 2021.

Man Lowdes, from Llandegla, North Wales, was rescued final December after stepping into issue whereas kayaking with a gaggle of 10 others close to Holyhead, Anglesey.

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

10 folks bought into issue final December whereas kayaking close to Holyhead, Anglesey. A crewman is pictured watching over one of many kayaks in hassle in the course of the ordeal

He stated: ‘I am an skilled coastal kayaker and by no means did I anticipate finding myself on this scenario, my kayak was capsized by a rogue wave and I discovered myself within the water on a really chilly December afternoon.

‘The tide pushed me a method and my boat the opposite. I will need to have been within the water about 20 minutes.’

Mr Lowdes’ pal had a private locator beacon with him so was capable of name for assist. A rescue operation, together with a helicopter and two lifeboat crews, was launched.

The kayakers in Mr Lowdes’ group had break up up and have been in other places across the space, making the rescue harder.

The HM Coastguard helicopter arrived on the scene first and used a smoke flare to assist the lifeboat crews discover the precise location of the particular person with the locator beacon, who was being assisted by one other member the get together.

The Holyhead lifeboat crew then arrived and started speaking with two kayakers, one among whom had been within the water for round twenty minutes.

Mr Lowdes stated: ‘I used to be beginning to really feel extremely chilly and poorly regardless of sporting a dry swimsuit. I am satisfied if I might have been there any longer with the failing gentle, we could by no means have been discovered.’

A kayak needed to be introduced aboard Holyhead’s all-weather lifeboat in the course of the rescue

The remainder of the kayakers have been discovered heading again to shore, and have been secure and effectively.

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

Mr Jones stated: ‘We wish folks to take pleasure in our gorgeous shoreline however are urging folks to consider carefully earlier than setting out.

‘Lots of our calls are to folks being blown out to sea in offshore winds. We ask folks to consider carefully in regards to the climate and tides earlier than setting off and guarantee they’ve a way of calling for assist.’

Final yr footage was launched exhibiting the dramatic second a lady paddleboarder was rescued after being swept over a mile out to sea.

The girl, in her 30s, was paddling near the shore at Studland Seashore, Dorset, when she was caught out by sturdy winds.

She spent half an hour desperately preventing the 24mph gusts to try to get again to land however to no avail.

Fortunately onlookers noticed her struggling and so they referred to as the coastguard.

A lifeboat crew raced to assist a lady after she bought into issue whereas paddle boarding in Dorset

A lifeboat crew from Poole was launched and sped to select up the lady who was discovered 1.2 miles from the place she had began off. They took her again to shore at Knoll Seashore.

Anybody planning to stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe is suggested to put on a bouyancy help, carry a way of communication, examine the climate earlier than heading out, inform others of their plans and paddle inside their skills.

Lee Pooley, director of teaching and {qualifications} at British Canoeing stated: ‘Whether or not you might be kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding this can be very necessary, it doesn’t matter what your expertise is, to comply with some easy steps to maintain your self and others secure when out on the water.

‘Paddlesport is such an accessible and enjoyable exercise with important advantages to psychological and bodily wellbeing. The UK has some excellent waterways and shoreline to discover, we simply need everybody to take care and be secure while they take pleasure in their paddle.’