RNLI warning as summer patrols end on 12 beaches across Cornwall
It is reminding people of its 'Float to Live' safety message as patrols finish
Last updated 4th Sep 2022
It is the last day of the summer lifeguard service on some of Cornwall's beaches after what the RNLI says has been a busy season.
Patrols will come to an end at 12 on Sunday 4th September, from Perranuthnoe to Northcott near Bude.
Crews dealt with multiple incidents during the recent bank holiday, including a mass rescue of 14 people at Watergate Bay.
They have also saved the life of a 12-year-old boy who was caught in a rip current at Gwenver.
Now as the season draws to a close, the charity is reminding people of its 'Float to Live' safety message.
The Cornish beaches that will finish RNLI lifeguard patrols on Sunday are: Freathy, Polurrian Cove, Gunwalloe, Porthleven, Perranuthnoe, Marazion, Porthkidney, Carbis Bay, South Fistral, Lusty Glaze, Crackington Haven and Northcott.
RNLI lifeguards in the south west have had one of the busiest summers ever, with huge visitor numbers descending on the region.
Watergate Bay recorded over 22,000 people on one day alone during the recent heatwave.
As well as huge numbers on beaches, RNLI lifeguards have dealt with multiple mass rescues, lost children, major first aids and provided lots of safety advice to beach goers to ensure they enjoyed their day at the beach as safely as possible.
Mass Rescue at Watergate Bay
On Sunday 28 August RNLI lifeguards at Watergate Bay performed a mass rescue just as they were locking up the BLU for the day at 6pm. They were doing their final scan of the beach when they spotted a large group of bodyboarders and swimmers caught in a rip current.
Three RNLI lifeguards responded to the incident on rescue boards and between them brought all 14 people safely back to shore.
Nick Stagg, one of the casualties, commented: "What the RNLI lifeguards do is unbelievable, the speed and response time was impeccable and we had drifted so far over towards the rocks the conditions were worsening by the minute. All three lifeguards paddled out to us so quickly and made sure we were all safely returned to the beach.
"I am a strong, regular open water swimmer and have even swam the channel twice, but I can honestly say that I’ve never had to swim so hard before against the current! Always listen to what the lifeguards say – thank you all so much for what you do".
12-year-old boy saved at Gwenver
Gwenver RNLI lifeguards Mike Lay and Harry Puddiphatt, arrived early to the beach on Thursday morning (25th August) and were greeted with a serious incident unfolding. They both reacted quickly, arriving from opposite directions of the beach lifeguard unit (BLU) at the same time.
A family of three had been bodyboarding and Mike and Harry could see that the father and daughter had got out of the water, but the son was caught in a strong rip current and was struggling to get back to shore.
Without time to unlock the rescue equipment, Mike grabbed a foam board from behind the BLU and carried it down to the water's edge whilst Harry was quickly getting ready to enter the water. Harry then paddled through the 6-8ft waves and managed to reach the young boy and brought him safely back to the beach, where Mike and Harry assessed the casualty and reunited him with his family.
Senior RNLI lifeguard, Mike Lay said: "He was remarkably lucky that Harry and I had both arrived to work early, we were both sprinting towards the scene and Harry got to him just in time – just another minute later, we could have been dealing with a very different situation. The family were all in shock when we returned the young boy back to shore and reunited him with his dad and sister.
"Unfamiliar with the beach, they weren’t aware of just how dangerous the conditions were and how quickly you can get into difficulty. Gwenver in particular has been a difficult beach to lifeguard this summer as the sandbanks created by the winter storms have caused so many rip currents which are then made worse by the large surf. The beach has been red flagged regularly which means it is not safe to enter the water.
"We'd encourage anybody, and particularly if you’re not familiar with the beach environment, to always go to a lifeguarded beach and wait until the lifeguards are on duty and have placed the red and yellow flags in the safest bathing area. The lifeguards can advise on local hazards and the safest place to swim and surf".
If you spot someone in trouble, the advice is to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
You will find sea and beach safety advice, including the 'Float to Live' message, on the RNLI's website.