Warning after kayakers rescued on Cornwall beach

Sea kayakers have again been given basic safety advice after two of them had to be rescued after getting into trouble on a north Cornwall beach. The two kayakers were spotted near Goose Rock, near Crantock Beach, near Newquay, with one of them struggling in the water.

Newquay RNLI Lifeboat volunteers along with RNLI lifeguards from the seaside town were called to the incident after being alerted by Falmouth Coastguard. A spokesman for Newquay RNLI lifeboat station said Crantock lifeguards were the first to spot the two kayakers in distress and raised the alarm with Falmouth Coastguard, who co-ordinated the rescue operation.

They said: “At 5.35pm the charity’s Atlantic 85 was launched, arriving at the scene at 5.42pm. Meanwhile, RNLI Newquay lifeguards launched their lifeboats and were keeping the victims safe until the lifeboat crew arrived.

Read more: Rush hour for RNLI double rescue off Falmouth

Read more: Massive fire in Launceston monitored by hot air balloon

“Once the volunteer lifeboat crew located the victims, the lifeguards assisted in transferring the victims to the lifeboat, who were then secured aboard the Atlantic 85 by the lifeboat crew.”

They added: “The victims who were cold and wet were taken back to Newquay Lifeboat station where they were given a warm drink and towels to dry off and, apart from being cold, both victims were fine and uninjured. The Coastguard Search and Rescue team from Newquay, who were also on scene at Crantock, collected the victims from the lifeboat station and took them back to their vehicle and belongings.”

The RNLI spokesman said the kayakers’ abandoned kayak was also recovered the next day. The incident happened on Saturday, July 6, at 5:25 p.m. Days before, other lifeguards on the beaches of Mawgan Porth and Porth Beach were also forced to dive when two panicked toddlers were swept out to sea by strong currents and a bodyboarder disappeared underwater.

Lewis Timson, senior lifeguard supervisor and lifeboat crew member, reiterated the safety message for anyone considering paddling out to sea. He said: “Kayaking is one of the most popular water sports in the UK and the RNLI advises everyone on the water to carry a waterproof VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof case as a means of calling for help. Wear a life jacket to help keep your head above water and add insulation to your body, keeping you warmer in cold water’.

More RNLI safety tips for kayakers can be found on the RNLI website at https://rnli.org/…/choose-your…/kayaking-and-canoeing