RNLI lifeguards rescued two watersports beginners at beaches in Cornwall as seasonal RNLI lifeguard services resumed at a number of beaches in the county this weekend.

RNLI Lifeguards, on the first day of summer patrols at Gyllyngvase beach, came to the aid of a stand-up paddleboarder when he got into difficulty in strong winds.

Matthew Stone, RNLI lifeguard and chairman of Gyllyngvase Surf Lifesaving Club, said: ‘Whether you are local to Cornwall, or visiting on holiday, we’d urge beachgoers to head to an RNLI lifeguarded beach and to swim in the supervised area between the red and yellow flags. If you are trying out watersports for the first time we recommend seeking advice from the lifeguards on the wind and sea conditions before entering the water.’

An RNLI lifeguard at Perranporth beach also rescued a man in difficulty when he got caught out by rip currents. A male adult bodyboarder drifted north of the area marked by red and yellow flags around 1pm on Saturday where strong rip currents were pulling to the south. Lifeguard Georgia Maughn assisted the novice bodyboarder, who was unable to get back to shore on his own, by helping him onto her rescue board and paddling him to safety. 

A list of RNLI lifeguarded beaches is available on RNLI.org