Volunteer lifeguards rescued 20 people in separate incidents in just one hour over the heatwave weekend.
The Rest Bay Lifeguard Cub was out to support the RNLI with water patrols after strong tidal currents due to the spring tides were reported, and large numbers of people headed to the water. Within the amber 'extreme heat' alert, the Met Office says there is an increased likelihood of water rescues, reporting: more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes, rivers and other beauty spots leading to an increased risk of water safety and fire-related incidents."
Lifeguards report using the powercraft to "shepherd the large numbers in the water" and "act as a goal keeper" to prevent people getting caught up in the tides. Despite this, lifeguards report being called to the aid of 20 individuals in separate incidents in the space of one hour on Saturday, August 13.
Read more: Lifesaving club at Ogmore-by-Sea beach asks council for more time to find funds for rebuild
The influx of callouts followed a warning from the RNLI warning ahead of the weekend, after responding to incidents totalling over 100 rescued in 48 hours, including several callouts for paddleboarders, due to the spring tides in Porthcawl. Within the one hour timeframe at Rest Bay, the lifeguard club reported: "Those assisted included adults and children who were swimming, bodyboarding, two people with an inflatable ring, a person on an inflatable kayak and several people on paddleboards."
The club added: "Many of the rescues involved the volunteers on the powercraft working together to pick numerous people up at the same time. On occasion the rescues were fast paced quickly rescuing one person, before returning for another. Thanks to the fantastic teamwork between the club volunteers and RNLI lifeguards, despite numerous people having to be assisted to safety due to the strong current, the preventative actions avoided anyone being swept onto rocks or around the point."
Volunteers at Rest Bay Lifeguards added: "There is often a strong current at Rest Bay whenever the tide has hit the point. Please always stay within the lifeguard flagged zones and when the beach is not flagged stay to the golf club side of the lifeguard station at all times."
Tenby RNLI lifeboat also rescued four swimmers who were caught in a current at the weekend. The coastguard was alerted to four swimmers caught in the current between St Catherine's Island and Castle beach at around 8pm on Sunday. The current was taking the swimmers out to sea.
A spokesperson said: "The volunteer crew were on scene in minutes and quickly spotted the casualties frantically waving to them. The current had taken them several hundred metres out to sea. They were quickly plucked from the water and checked over to make sure they needed no medical assistance. Luckily, they were cold and very tired but otherwise, unharmed."
Elsewhere, it was a very busy weekend for the coastguard in Mumbles, who were also called out to several different incidents on beaches across the Swansea coastline.
Two people were rescued from a yacht after it caught fire at a Gower beach on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to Caswell Bay and Brandy Cove after locals saw a boat ablaze and thick plumes of smoke billowing across the sky. After a pollution review following concerns of oil contamination, the water was deemed safe to bathe in by Swansea Council.
On Saturday evening the coastguard was alerted to a paddleboarder in difficulty off the coast of Langland. Upon arrival the paddle boarder had managed to get themselves ashore, but was suffering from an allergic reaction. Support was provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service before the patient was deemed fit to go home.
At 3.42pm on Sunday, August 14, together with RNLI lifeguards, they rushed to help a woman who fell on the rocks at Langland and sustained a lower arm injury. Once she was stable and comfortable she was carried on a stretcher over rocky terrain to her family members, who then took her to hospital.
Earlier that day, at 1.17pm, they were called to assist a woman who became stuck in the mud opposite the recreation ground in Mumbles whilst walking a dog. The combination of soft slippy sand and her large dog to control made it difficult for her to make progress up the beach. Officers assisted with the dog and helped the woman out of the mud.
The RNLI launched a specific safety appeal targeted at paddleboarders ahead of the weekend after an increase in callouts for those participating in the sport. Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for the RNLI in Wales said: "We’ve seen an increase in call outs to Stand Up Paddleboards throughout the RNLI and hope people take heed of our vital advice which will ensure they can enjoy this activity as safely as possible.
"‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard."
Advice included "checking the weather and tides before partaking in the activity and avoid paddling out in offshore winds," visiting lifeguard-patroled beaches, and taking a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch in case a means of contacting the Coastguard is needed.
Read next:
-
Met Office warns of flash flooding as Wales braced for heavy rain
-
Firefighters battle through the night at scene of major fire with residents told to stay inside
-
'Kind, funny, thoughtful and beautiful' woman killed in car crash
-
'It's horrible, unbearable' Life in Cardiff's apartment blocks on the hottest days of the year
