The weather never really got fantastic in Exmouth this weekend with the odd shower keeping the numbers of people on the beach down.
Saturday was the busier day for the Lifeguards in Exmouth. We had the RWC patrolling on the water for 3 hours in the afternoon due to the strong outgoing tide. Whilst the RWC was on the water 2 kite surfers were assisted when they were struggling to relaunch their kites from the water. It seems this year the kite surfers have got a lot better and are not needing as much assistance from us, which is great. The Duck pond area is a better place to learn to kitesurf than Exmouth sea front and it seems beginners are staying in the duck pond.
Also whilst out on patrol I was waved down by a jet ski just off the entrance to the docks. They had broken down and were drifting out with the tide, the boats coming in to the estuary and kitesurfers were having to dodge the unpowered craft. I stood by them until Exmouth ILB was launched. The ILB towed the jet ski back to their trailer up the river.
It is important to always wear a lifejacket and take a means of communication with you when out on any craft, a mobile phone or preferably a VHF radio is best, so if you do get in to trouble you have a way of contacting the Coastguard.
Tomorrow is competency testing for the peak season Lifeguards. All the new Lifeguards who start patrolling full time on Saturday will do a competency test involving board and tube rescues and demonstrate CPR.
Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren and Sandy Bay will have Lifeguards on the beach 10am to 6pm from this Saturday 4th July until September.
