Off-duty surf instructors rush to rescue people in trouble in the sea – Pirate FM

Published by Sarah Yeoman at 10:25am 25th July 2019. (Updated at 1:18pm 25th July 2019)

Two surfers got into trouble in the big swell on Tuesday and got stuck in breaking waves at Booby’s Bay, near Padstow.

Luckily Newquay Activity Centre instructors Chris Burton and Steve Ridout were bodyboarding nearby and spotted the pair in danger.

They managed to pull them to safety as coastguard teams, a lifeboat and a rescue helicopter were called to the scene.

Luckily the lads only suffered minor injuries and were checked over by coastguard crews.

padstow coastguard - booby's bay rescue

“Awesome to see our staff training deliver such effective results. An epic day, ended well.

“The riders received further checks and advice from the RNLI Coastguard.

“They were very grateful to Chris and Steve and vowed to join them for some lessons from the experts to avoid it happening again in the future.”

Director of Newquay Activity Centre, Rob Barber

padstow coastguard - booby's bay rescue

“Once their location had been established, they were seen to be slowly making their way back towards the beach area, with the assistance of two bodyboarders. Team members donned water rescue equipment, and accessed the water edge, as the group were navigating the large waves into a high tide, rocky shoreline.

“Padstow Lifeboat were also tasked, and once it was clear the casualties were not accessible to them, as they were within the breaking waves, carried out a search of the area, to make sure there were no other people in distress.

“Two water rescuers entered the water, and assisted the surfers, one minus a board, back through the rocks and breaking water, ensuring the assisting bodyboarders were also safe, with other team members acting as line tenders and spotters.

“Once on the shoreline, it was established that they had drifted from the point at Constantine Bay, following one person losing their longboard, after their leash had snapped.

“The members of the public, who had used their experience, and efficient swim fins while bodyboarding, were actually two qualified lifeguards who work at Newquay Activity Centre and Bodyboard-Holidays, and while in the local area, had decided to bodyboard after work.

“The casualties, and rescuers were reviewed medically, and other than being tired, and some minor cuts from exiting the surf, were deemed safe and well.”

Padstow Coastguard

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