As you saw in my previous post offshore winds can cause big problems.
As I am sure I have previously mentioned Lifeguards use a windsock to signal to the public on the beach that it is best not to use inflaitables as there is an offshore wind and risk that the inflatable and occupant could be blown out to sea.
The video below was filmed this summer. The CCTV footage shows the successful rescue of a person who fell out of an inflatable while it was being blown off shore. You can see the inflatable being blown out to sea very quickly at about 50 seconds into the video.
A Lifeguard responds and then swims out to the person in difficulty and starts to bring them back to shore. When the Inshore Lifeboat arrives it picks them both up and returns them to the beach.
This is a great example of Lifeguards and Lifeboats working together. In this case council Lifeguards who patrol the beaches in Rhyl working with Rhyl ILB.
Life goes on over the winter and I think it is fair to say the majority of lifeguards pine for the summer. (At least the ones not enjoying the summer down in Australia or NZ.)
Applications are open for next season. Exciting times are ahead. New beaches are being added to the RNLI Lifeguard service and new local authorities are requesting the help of the RNLI.
A perfect sunset over Poole Bay in Dorset, currently my nearest place to catch the odd wave.
I receieved a letter today letting me know about the latest RNLI campaign.
A great video showing the work of the youth of today who are part of the RNLI.
The RNLI are going to be setting challenges for young people over the next few months. The aim of these will be to raise money! Eventually raising enough to buy a Lifeboat.
I came across this photo in my collection from this summer. Bit of a cloudy day looking up towards the Exmouth Docks. In the foreground you can see lots of people walking on water! This is known as stand up paddle boarding (SUP boarding) it has become very popular over the past year and thanks to the local surf shop Tad and it is growing in popularity each week.