Paddleboarder rescued after drifting into channel

Glamorgan Star news 06/05/2022

3 minutes read

Both lifeboats from Penarth lifeboat station were launched at 7.30pm yesterday, 5th May, after reports were received of a female paddleboarder last seen by her friend drifting off into the Bristol Channel.

Making way to the last known location, the lifeboats began searching the area and soon afterwards a crew member spotted the paddleboarder at a distance out into the channel.

On social media, a spokesperson from Penarth RNLI lifeboat station said: “Once our crew reached the paddleboarder, they brought her on board and took her safely back to the station.

“The callout was also attended by HM Coastguard – Penarth and by Barry Dock RNLI, whose D-class lifeboat had been out on exercise when the call came in from the Coastguard.”

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest growing watersports. Whether it is on an inflatable paddleboard or a solid one, SUPing is a great way to have fun on the water and to get fit.

The RNLI have issued advice and tips to all paddleboarders to improve their time on the water and to stay safe:

If you can, always go with a friend. It’s more fun, and they can help you if you get into difficulty.
If you are going out alone, always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Don’t leave the house without a mobile phone or communication device.
Bringing your phone to take some photos? Make sure you keep it in a waterproof pouch. That way it won’t get wet, and you can use it to call for help in an emergency too.
Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set out. If the water is too choppy, you might find it difficult, especially if you are a beginner. And be aware, the conditions can change quickly.
Avoid offshore winds. They will quickly blow your paddleboard far out to sea, which can make it extremely tiring and difficult to paddle back to shore.
You should wear a suitable personal flotation device. This can be a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket. Choose one that still allows you plenty of movement so you can paddle freely. Not only will it keep you afloat, but it will also help give you time to recover should you fall in – and chances are you will!
Wear suitable clothing for the time of year. In the winter, you will want to use a wet or dry suit. In the summer, you might be able to get away with a swim suit. But if you are going to be in the water for a long time, you might want to upgrade to something that keeps you warm.
You should always use a paddleboard with an appropriate leash. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to swim after your paddleboard if you fall off. The leash will also help you stay connected to your board if you get into trouble and help you float.
If you are launching on a lifeguarded beach, make sure you launch and recover between the black and white chequered flags. There should be less swimmers in this area, giving you more room to manoeuvre. Consider other water users by learning the rights of way in the surf. This can save you and others getting injured.
Get the appropriate level of training. You might be tempted to just buy a board and head out. Having a few training sessions can teach you the right technique, so it’s more stand-up and less fall-in paddleboarding!

You can’t always wait for perfect weather to head out on your SUP. You should avoid going out when there are offshore winds, as they can quickly blow you far out to sea, making for an exhausting paddle back to shore. If you are on a lifeguarded beach, keep an eye out for the orange windsock to see which way the wind is blowing.

Both inflatable and solid paddleboards have their merits. Inflatable boards are sturdier than they sound and can be easily deflated and stored away at the end of the day. Solid boards are sturdier than an inflatable paddleboard, and you don’t have to worry about blowing them up.

It is important to remember that both inflatable and solid boards should always have a leash attached. This will prevent losing the paddleboard which can also be used as a buoyancy aid if in trouble.