RNLI makes summer safety plea to paddleboarders at the Royal Cornwall Show
The charity says the number of rescues involving those are rising year on year
Last updated 11th Jun 2022
A jump in the number of rescues involving paddleboarders in Cornwall and the South West has sparked a fresh appeal to always wear a leash.
The RNLI is using the Royal Cornwall Show 2022 to share a special summer safety plea.
The charity says the sport is becoming one of the most popular nationwide, but users are not always aware of the dangers.
Water Safety Coordinator, Simon Hannaford, said: "Stand-up paddleboards has been a major problem. The year before last we had one or two and that's increasing year on year because there's more about and there's more people staying on and around the coast.
"Always make sure you're connected to your board with a leash. There's some new ones. They used to be ankle leashes but we're now looking at waist ones to try and encourage people to have it round their waist".
And that is a message echoed by our paddleboard safety campaign, launched following the death of a holidaymaker in the Camel Estuary.
42-year-old Simon Flynn died after falling off his paddleboard back in August 2020.
The strong water current took him towards a moored boat and Simon jumped into the sea while still attached to his ankle leash.
The competent swimmer, who did a lot of water sports and surfing, was unable to get free after his leash became entangled and pulled him under the water.
Since then, Pirate FM and Greatest Hits Radio have worked with Simon's best friend, Sam Foyle, to both improve safety information at the point of sale and for new boards to be sold with both an ankle leash and quick-release waist belt as standard.
Working with Sam to highlight a need for change across the industry, we helped to arrange a Parliamentary reception bringing key industry players to discuss potential solutions.
The advice and message being shared at the Royal Cornwall Show comes just weeks after the RNLI launched its Summer Water Safety Campaign.
That is reminding people to choose a lifeguarded beach and remember the 'Float to Live' survival message.
Joel Ninnes, RNLI South West Water Safety Officer says: "As the coast is getting busier now that the warmer weather is here, we'd also like to remind people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"RNLI lifeguards in the south west saved 56 lives and aided 13,402 people in 2021, so just following this simple piece of advice can be lifesaving.
"In addition, we’d urge anybody visiting the coast to always carry a means of calling for help and in a coastal emergency call 999 or 112 for the coastguard".
You can find all the information about this year's Royal Cornwall Show in the What's On Guide on our website.