Last weekend, both Porthcawl RNLI lifeboats Rose of the Shires and Jean Ryall launched to rescue a windsurfer on Saturday morning, and a kayaker, Sunday lunchtime.

On Saturday 6th, the two RNLI Lifeboats launched to rescue a windsurfer who had lost his board and sail, and was in difficulties on the rocks at Newton Point. The D Class lifeboat rescued the windsurfer who was clinging to rocks, and took him to the safety of Newton slipway, while the larger Atlantic Class lifeboat recovered the windsurfers board and sail.

Helmsman Simon Emms said “the waves around Newton Point were reaching 6 to 8 feet, and the winds were force 5-6. When we saw the windsurfer, we got as close to the rocks as possible, and then threw him a rescue line and brought him into the safety of the lifeboat.”

The following day, the D Class lifeboat was once again launched to assist in the rescue of a sea kayaker who had fallen off his kayak. When the lifeboat came alongside the casualty, he was in the water, and unable to recover himself. Thecrew then pulled him into the lifeboat, and took him immediately to the lifeboat station.

Deputy Launching Authority Ross Martin said “ the kayaker was suffering from the cold as he had been in the water for some time before the lifeboat reached him. When we got him to the station, he received some first aid from our crew and the ambulance, and left the station about an hour later, safe and well.”