RNLI rescues five paddleboarders off Westward Ho!

RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crews reacted quickly to save five paddleboarders who were being swept out to sea by strong winds off Westward Ho! on Wednesday (June 11).

The lifeguards at the Sandymere end of the beach were just 10 minutes away from their shift finishing at 5.50pm when the group of stand up paddleboaders (SUPs) were spotted already 200 metres out to sea as the offshore winds pushed them away from safety.

They immediately called Falmouth Coastguard to request Appledore lifeboat be launched, while lifeguards Will Figes and Zoe Cross launched their own inflatable Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) to reach the casualties and keep them safe until the lifeboat could get there.

Appledore RNLI initially launched its inshore lifeboat and all-weather lifeboat, but the larger vessel was stood down once it was evident all was under control.

The inshore lifeboat took on board two members of group – which consisted of four young teenagers and one adult – and retrieved their boards, while the lifeguards’ boat took the others back to shore.

It ended a busy day for the lifeguards, who were called on to assist when an old eight-inch navy shell was discovered by the estuary and a Royal Navy bomb disposal team called to destroy it in a controlled explosion.

The lifeguards alerted beachgoers and evacuated the area to ensure the public remained safe while the device was safely detonated.

Seasonal lifeguard supervisor Amy Edmonds said it had been a busy day but she was extremely proud at how the lifeguards reacted.

She added: “Thanks to quick reactions and strong teamwork from the lifeguards and lifeboat crew, five lives were saved and the beach stayed safe.

“This further reinforces the importance of visiting a lifeguarded beach this summer and our lifeguards will be at Sandymere beach and Westward Ho! every day between 10am and 6pm until the end of September.”

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

Before using a paddleboard, the RNLI is urging people to…

Always check the wind direction

Always wear a buoyancy aid

Always carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch

In an emergency at sea or along the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard