RNLI warns water users not to join 400 already rescued
Lifeguards issued a warning to all water users for the weekend after rescuing more than 400 people across the Westcountry in the past week.
Large surf and strong offshore winds are creating difficult conditions on the beaches and also enticing less experienced surfers out of their depth.
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One of the problems is a long lull between sets of waves, leading novice surfers to "try their luck" out back, who then find the swell too large.
The RNLI have now warned those who plan to enjoy the good conditions this weekend not to be "tempted" into a situation beyond their ability.
On Thursday alone more than 200 people were brought to safety in Devon and Cornwall after straying too far out or being caught in riptides.
RNLI lifeguards had a particularly busy day at Gwithian in Cornwall, assisting surfers and bodyboarders and heading off a few serious incidents.
Phil Drew, RNLI area lifeguard manager, said: "The RNLI lifeguards rescued about 33 people on Gwithian, mostly these were people learning to surf, who'd been deceived by the lull in the sets to get themselves out back and then found that they couldn't make their own way back in.
"At one point there were about 12 people who'd either paddled or been blown out back and were then caught in the surf zone as the set came in.
"However tempting it is to try and join the more experienced surfers, we'd urge those less capable to stay in waist- depth water and stick between the black and white flags if surfing or red and yellow if bodyboarding or swimming."
On Perranporth Beach there have been around 500 people in the water during the busiest periods of the day.
Matt Johnson, RNLI lifeguard supervisor, said: "On sets the surf was easily pushing five foot, which is pretty big, especially if you are just learning."
2 Comments
by Calmer Waters, The Celtic Nation And Duchy Of Cornwall
Sunday, September 05 2010, 10:58PM
“Of course, heroic if somewhat cynical tales of 'mass rescues' that are actually a telling indicator of RNLI neglect, lack of foresight and proactive prevention make a perfect platform for yet more collection box rattling 'charity' fund raising by one of the wealthiest charities in the UK.
Even though the RNLI beach lifeguard service itself is not 'charitable' and is actually contractually and commercially funded by the local councils that have been lured into the RNLI's web of expansionist influence at the expense of the proper and longer established beach safety organisation - the SLSA GB, the Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain.”
by Calmer Waters, The Celtic Nation And Duchy Of Cornwall
Sunday, September 05 2010, 10:48PM
“Instead of putting people into danger by allowing novices in the water when the conditions are clearly not suitable the RNLI should deploy the RED FLAG when conditions warrant it. The RNLI appears neglectful and dangerous itself in its apparent lack of willingness to deploy this tool in its toolbox to protect the innocent and often ignorant public from avoidable risk and danger to their lives.”