Drifting out to sea? It's every parent's worst nightmare

 

The water's calm and the kids are close to the shore, what’s the worry? Dangers at the coast can catch out those unprepared. 

It was an unremarkable June day at Oxwich Bay, a popular two-and-a-half mile stretch of golden sand on Wales’ picturesque south coast. 

The perfect place to relax, explore, and unwind. And the conditions looked fine, with moderate winds blowing off the coast towards the marshes and bay beyond.  

Alone on the water, six young paddleboarders were making the most of the sunshine, their boards cruising along the water about 500 metres from shore. As one of the country’s fastest-growing water sports, paddleboarders are a frequent sight across the UK coastline, with the Gower Peninsula being a popular locale to explore.  

But the tranquility is interrupted... 

In moments, the six paddleboarders had become shrinking figures on the horizon, blown farther from the shore by a combination of wind and outgoing tide. Despite receiving help from a nearby kayaker, they’d soon passed the lee of the coastline, where the challenging conditions had worsened. 

The team at the HM Coastguard Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre at Milford Haven took the 999 call. They’d become part of an unfolding drama 40 miles down the coast at Oxwich Bay.   

In a few brief moments, HM Coastguard Team Leader Max Hawkins and his team had called in help from HM Coastguard Rescue Teams at Oxwich and nearby Rhossili, as well as the RNLI Lifeboat at Horton and Port Eynon.  HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also ready and primed to spring into action if needed. 

Every second counts...

Staying on the line, a maritime operations officer had let the caller know that help was coming. With a rescue, every second counts, and as the cold set in and the winds continued, the young paddleboarders had become tired and had drifted further to sea. 

Observing from the beach, the coastguard rescue team that had soon arrived on scene reported that the group have been falling into the water more often. Wearing wetsuits, but not personal flotation devices, their only option to stay above the cold water was to cling helplessly to their paddleboards.  

An offshore wind can be overwhelming. In most cases, it’s far too strong. But not a moment too soon, RNLI teams had managed to reach the group, who were swiftly recovered to shore. 

To their surprise, the teenagers weren’t met with a ticking off when they made it back safely. Some of the coastguard rescue team are keen paddleboarders too. Through some gentle words of wisdom, they shared a key reminder – the coast is a wonderful place and water sports are great fun, but safety must always come first.  

Top tips for a safe SUP:

  • Mobile phone: Take a fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch (these are widely available in sports shops and online for just a few pounds. So you can call 999 and ask the Coastguard to help if you need it. 
  • Buddy up: go with someone else if you can. It’s more fun and safer too. If you’re going on your own, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. 
  • Watch the wind: A gently breeze on shore can be deceptive. Offshore winds are a big cause of trouble as they can get stronger the further out you go and blow you out to sea. Stay within your comfort zone. 
  • Weather and tide check: Check the weather and the tides before you go and if in any doubt, don’t go out. 
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Especially important for beginners and novices. Not all of them are bulky and it will help to keep you afloat if you do become separated from your board. 
  • Leash: It helps keep you connected to your board. But if you’re using a leash in a harbour or an environment where it could snag on objects such as boat lines or weed if you fell off the board, make sure you’re able to release it quickly. 
  • Wet and Dry: Do invest in a good wet suit (and potentially a dry suit for cold conditions) it will help to keep you buoyant and protected. In warm and calm conditions, swimwear may be sufficient but consider taking a dry bag so you can have some warmer clothing available if you need it. 
  • Learn the skills: Why not take some lessons to brush up your skills? There are water sports coaches and centres around the UK. Good techniques can help keep you SUP-safe and make the SUP experience even more fun. 
  • Identify your SUP: Identify your SUP with your name and contact details can also help us to help you. Use a permanent marker pen or laminated stickers. 

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