LIFEGUARDS are warning people not to swim at Tregantle Beach unless it’s being patrolled after rescuing more than 10 people from rip currents over the weekend.
On Sunday, RNLI lifeguards at Tregantle assisted between 20 and 30 people from incidents related to rip currents.
One of these rescues involved two children who were swept out to sea by an extremely strong rip current whilst they were swimming at the beach.
Lifeguards Beau Gillett and Matteo Castiglione were standing on the water’s edge when they spotted two young girls caught in a rip current who were unable to swim back to the shore. Beau and Matteo immediately paddled out on their rescue boards and returned the girls safe and uninjured.
This incident was one of seven different rescues performed by the RNLI lifeguards at Tregantle beach that day (13 June), making it the busiest day of rescues for them so far this year.
Tregantle Beach is only being lifeguarded at weekends at the moment, says the RNLI. Luckily for one swimmer on Tuesday (June 15) lifeguards from nearby Tregonhawke Beach were out in the area on their inshore rescue boat when they spotted her caught in a strong rip current and heard her calling for help.
Lifeguards Terry Dungay and Rupert Callard reached the woman in distress and helped her onto the inshore rescue boat before returning her safely to the beach.
Beau Gillett, Lifeguard Supervisor in South East Cornwall, said: “There are currently extremely strong rip currents at Tregantle beach and, over the weekend, we had more than 10 rescues, assisting 20-30 people from incidents related to rip currents.
“We are pleased that our lifeguards were there to come to the aid of these casualties but, at the moment, RNLI lifeguards are only operating at Tregantle beach on the weekends with our full seven-day lifeguard service not starting there until 10 July.
‘We would therefore like to remind the public to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, as it is the safest place to swim. If you are ever unsure about rip currents and where they are located, you should always speak to the lifeguards on duty.’
If you ever find yourself caught in a rip current, try to remember the following key safety advice:
? Don’t try to swim against it, you will quickly get exhausted
? If you can stand, wade don’t swim
? If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore
? If you can’t swim – FLOAT to live by leaning back in the water, extending your arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around to gain control of your breathing
? Always raise your hand and shout for help
? If you see anyone else in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.