Following an increasing number of rescues, the RNLI and British Canoeing are calling on paddleboarders to make safety a priority.
Echoing the need to carry safety equipment is kayaker Guy Lowdes who was rescued last December after capsizing and calling for help.
In March, the RNLI praised stand-up paddleboards in Wales for carrying flares.
The calls come in response to figures showing the number of lives saved while kayaking or canoeing by RNLI crews more than doubled last year in comparison to 2021.
RNLI crews save 24 lives
In 2021, volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews saved 11 lives responding to callouts to kayakers and canoers, compared to 24 lives in 2022.
Stand-up paddleboarding has continued to increase in popularity and last year, RNLI lifeboat crews saw a 21% year-on-year rise in launches to paddleboarders across the UK and Ireland from 144 callouts in 2021 to 175 in 2022.
It is a particular issue on Anglesey where RNLI lifeboat crews at Trearddur Bay, Moelfre, Holyhead and Beaumaris have seen the number of people rescued whilst taking part in these activities jump from six in 2021 to 37 in 2022.
Make safety a priority
RNLI crews are urging visitors to the coast to make safety a priority this summer. It is a message shared by kayaker Guy Lowdes, from Llandegla who was returning from the Skerries near Holyhead, with a group of 10 other kayakers when he got into trouble.
Guy says, “I’m an experienced coastal kayaker and never did I expect to find myself in this situation. My kayak was capsized by a rogue wave and I found myself in the water on a very cold December afternoon. The tide pushed me one way and my boat the other, I must have been in the water about 20 minutes.”
Guy’s friend remained with him and called for help using a Personal Locator Beacon. A rescue operation was mounted including a helicopter and RNLI crews from Holyhead and Moelfre.
“I’m just so grateful we had a means of calling for help, so we could alert the RNLI to exactly where we were located. I was starting to feel incredibly cold and poorly despite wearing a dry suit. I’m convinced if I’d have been there any longer with the failing light, we may never have been found.
“Once the RNLI arrived and I was taken onboard Holyhead’s lifeboat, the adrenaline stopped. I felt very unwell and cold. I’m so pleased to be here today sharing my story and hoping people take heed of the RNLI’s advice and never set up without having the necessary equipment. My story just goes to show how dangerously unpredictable the sea can be.”
Safety advice
The RNLI and British Canoeing are raising awareness of how to stay safe on the water when planning to stand up paddleboard, kayak or canoe on any type of water.
Their safety advice is to:
- Wear a buoyancy aid or personal flotation device.
- Carry a means of communication to call for help in an emergency.
- Check the weather before heading out.
- Tell others of your plans so they know when you will be returning.
- Paddle within your ability.
Vince Jones, RNLI mechanic at Moelfre, says it has been inundated with calls to stand-up paddleboarders. “We want people to enjoy our stunning coastline but are urging people to think carefully before setting out. Many of our calls are to people being blown out to sea in offshore winds. We ask people to think carefully about the weather and tides before setting off and ensuring they have a means of calling for help.”
Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching & Qualifications at British Canoeing says, “Whether you are kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding it is extremely important no matter what your experience is to follow some simple steps to keep yourself and others safe when out on the water.
“Paddlesports are such an accessible and fun activity with significant benefits to mental and physical wellbeing. The UK has some outstanding waterways and coastline to explore, we just want everyone to take care and be safe whilst they enjoy their paddle.”
Source: RNLI/British Canoeing
Image: RNLI/Nigel Millard
The post RNLI asks paddleboarders to make safety a priority appeared first on Wescom Group.
