RNLI launch lifeboat after reports of wing foilers in difficulty
It happened near St Agnes Head on Monday
The team at St Agnes RNLI had to launch one of their lifeboats yesterday afternoon - after reports of two wing foilers in difficulty.
It happened near St Agnes Head - with the volunteer crew called out just after quarter past 4 - and found two men embarking on the first leg of a round Britain trip in aid of Cancer Research UK.
The rescuers say they'd much rather launch and find that all is well than for someone to be in danger and unassisted.
Wing-foiling or ‘winging’ is an extreme sport where participants use a wing shaped kite and ride a board with a hydrofoil beneath it. Top speeds can be more than 30 miles an hour.
When the volunteer lifeboaters meet them. they found two well equipped and competent men, Steve Bowens and Simon Osborne, who were embarking on the first leg of a round Britain trip in aid of Cancer Research UK.
One of the wing-foilers, Steve Bowens, said: “We are just so lucky to live in a country where we have such an amazing service and where people are good enough to show concern and call for help. We are in touch with the coastguard and are letting them know our plans each day.”
“We are just so lucky to live in a country where we have such an amazing service and where people are good enough to show concern and call for help. We are in touch with the coastguard and are letting them know our plans each day.”
Stein reported: “Both men were well equipped with VHF radios, personal locator beacons and other appropriate safety equipment. They had lost wind around the Borden Rocks area but were safe at all times.”
Despite this, Stein pointed out that both HM Coastguard and the RNLI would much rather the public called 999 if they see something of concern than not.
“We are here to save lives at sea. We would much rather launch and find that all is well than for someone to be in danger and unassisted.”
The two wing-foilers set out on their 3,000-kilometer journey from St Ives on Sunday.
They are hoping to raise at least £10,000 for Cancer Research UK in memory of Simon’s brother Mark, who sadly lost his life to cancer.