PADSTOW RNLI rescued five paddle boarders who had been blown out to sea this week.

At around 3.18pm on Tuesday, August 6, the RNLI volunteer crew of the D-Class inshore lifeboat The Pride of Port Isaac responded to a call from the coastguard reporting five paddle boarders being blown out to sea from Port Gaverne towards Barrett’s Zawn.

The paddle boarders were feared to be nearly two miles offshore, caught in increasingly strong winds. The Pride of Port Isaac, alongside the fishing boat Emma Kate from Padstow, swiftly responded to the coastguard's call.

Following their launch, the RNLI lifeboat crew quickly located the group of paddle boarders, who were fortunately not as far out as was initially feared. Padstow Lifeboat was also tasked to the scene but were quickly stood down as with the assistance of Emma Kate, all five casualties and their paddle boards were safely recovered and brought back to the beach at Port Gaverne by Port Isaac lifeboat.

After the incident, Port Isaac helmsman Tom Brown emphasised the importance of staying vigilant to weather conditions before taking to the water.

He said: “The wind can pick up unexpectedly and change conditions very quickly, which is exactly what happened today. Even experienced water users can find themselves in trouble. We always advise anyone heading out to sea to wear a flotation device and ensure they have a means of communication. It can make all the difference in an emergency.”

Coincidentally, following the successful rescue, a member of the RNLI team, who had just helped launch the lifeboat, encountered three visitors preparing to paddle board. After sharing news of the recent rescue and advising them on the strong winds, the visitors made the wise decision to postpone their paddle until conditions were more safe.

A Port Isaac RNLI spokesperson added: “The RNLI continues to remind all water users of the importance of checking weather conditions before heading out and carrying essential safety equipment. The crew of The Pride of Port Isaac remain on standby, ready to respond to any further emergencies.”