Boarders given warning after double call out
IT may be one of the hottest new hobbies of the summer, but now a warning has been issued to paddleboarders in Wales.
It comes after Porthcawl’s RNLI had two callouts within hours for incidents featuring stand-up paddleboarders (SUP) as they took to the coast during the heatwave.
The Porthcawl RNLI was called out during the morning of Thursday, July 22 with reports of a paddleboarder “in difficulty off Ogmore”.
Later the same day, whilst returning from another callout in Ogmore River, the lifeboat received further calls from the UK Coastguard, this time to assist four people on SUPs off the seafront in Porthcawl struggling against the current as they attempted to head back to Sandy Bay (Coney Beach).
The lifeboat service issued a “timely reminder to be aware of conditions and your ability before going afloat”.
The RNLI has asked people to take appropriate precautions after the increase in SUP activity along the coastline of Wales.
Lead lifeguard supervisor Vinny Vincent, said: “We understand that stand-up paddleboards are very popular at the moment and we are expecting to see many of them on the beaches this summer.
“We hope that people will take the proper precautions and steps to ensure that they can enjoy them safely on the water
“If you are planning on using a paddleboard at the beach please make sure to:
Always choose a lifeguarded beach and launch between the black and white chequered flags.
Always check the tide and weather conditions before heading out
Always carry a means of calling for help on your person in case of an emergency.”