Porthcawl RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard as they started a classroom based training session. A member of the public on locks common had spotted the surfer waving for help and dialed 999 for the Coastguard.
Helm Gareth Collins said, ‘thankfully there were crew at the lifeboat station so it was a quick launch of the charity’s Atlantic 85 Rose of the Shires. Despite strong winds gusting to force 7/8 and rough seas we were on scene within a few minutes and located the surfer off Hutchwns Point. We got alongside the surfer and the crew pulled him onboard. He was in good spirits and otherwise unharmed.
‘We have the second largest tidal range in the world in the Bristol Channel and are currently on large spring tides which cause fast moving currents. Once the surfer realised he was caught by the lateral current he did the right thing by staying with his board and waving for help. Had he attempted to get out onto rocks he would have sustained injuries due to heavy swell breaking into them.’
For further advice on rip currents: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents
If visiting Rest Bay and going in the water always stay to the golf club side of the lifeguard station and get out the water when you drift passed it (now full time RNLI lifeguard patrols have ended).
Porthcawl Coastguard and Port Talbot Coastguard were also tasked to this incident.
To support Porthcawl RNLI’s volunteer crew and power us to our next rescue: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Porthcawl