A warning has been issued to paddleboarders throughout the UK after rescue operations at sea have surged.
Launching a collaborative summer season security marketing campaign, the RNLI and British Canoeing are urging individuals to prioritise their security earlier than taking a dip throughout UK shores.
In 2022, the RNLI – a charity offering a 24-hour search and rescue service round the UK and Republic of Eire coasts – noticed the variety of lives saved while kayaking or canoeing greater than double from the earlier 12 months.
The RNLI and British Canoeing are urging individuals to prioritise their security earlier than taking a dip throughout UK shores
(PA)
Throughout the identical interval, RNLI lifeboat crews additionally skilled a 21 p.c improve in rescue missions to save paddleboarders, with Anglesey in Wales seeing the variety of individuals rescued while partaking in these sports activities skyrocket from six in 2021 to 37 one 12 months later.
The RNLI’s message has been shared by kayaker Man Lowdes, from Llandegla, who was rescued alongside 10 different kayakers in December 2022 after his kayak was “capsized by a rogue wave.”
“The tide pushed me a method and my boat the opposite”, Mr Lowdes stated, describing himself as an “skilled coastal kayaker.”
A pal referred to as for assist utilizing his Private Locator Beacon (PLB), with Mr Lowdes noting that if the group had been there “any longer with the failing gentle”, they “might by no means have been discovered.”
As a part of the marketing campaign, Vince Jones, RNLI mechanic at Moelfre, urged individuals to guarantee they’ve a way of calling for assist earlier than setting out.
“We would like individuals to take pleasure in our gorgeous shoreline however are urging individuals to consider carefully earlier than setting out. A lot of our calls are to individuals being blown out to sea in offshore winds.
“We ask individuals to consider carefully concerning the climate and tides earlier than setting off and guaranteeing they’ve a way of calling for assist.”
“Paddlesport is such an accessible and enjoyable exercise with vital advantages to psychological and bodily wellbeing. The UK has some excellent waterways and shoreline to discover, we simply need everybody to take care and be secure while they take pleasure in their paddle”, Lee Pooley, Director of Teaching & {Qualifications} at British Canoeing, added.
