STRONG easterly winds and cold water temperatures were a factor as two kayakers in trouble were “too cold to use their mobile phone to call for help”.

Looe’s lifeboat crews were called out twice in quick succession yesterday afternoon - firstly going to the aid of the two kayakers in the water and in difficulty off Downderry. The RNLI volunteers were later called out to retrieve kite surfing equipment that had been blown out into the bay.

Crew pagers first sounded at 3.45pm yesterday (Thursday) after Falmouth Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting two kayakers in difficulties off Downderry.

Within 10 minutes the charity’s Atlantic 85, Sheila and Dennis Tongue II, helmed by Dan Margetts, with crew Matt Jaycock, Goron Jones and Toby Bray was punching through 3 – 5 ft waves as the inshore lifeboat headed out into Looe bay towards Downderry.

Arriving on scene our crew found two female casualties, clinging onto one of the kayaks, the other kayak was being blown downwind by strong force 4 – 5 winds. Both casualties were taken on board the Atlantic 85, where two of the crew administered casualty care, whilst the other crew recovered the kayaks.

“Both casualties were visibly cold and fatigued and with the risk of water ingestion, a decision was taken to return to Looe as quickly as possible, requesting an ambulance to meet them at the lifeboat station,” said an RNLI spokesperson.

“On arrival in Looe the casualties were taken into the lifeboat station and our crew were relieved to see their condition improving as they warmed up. The casualties were handed into the care of the ambulance paramedics.”

Describing the incident, volunteer helms Toby Bray and Dan Margetts said that within a few minutes of leaving Downderry beach the kayakers had toppled out of their kayaks.

Even though they were wearing buoyancy aids, the water was so cold that they were unable to use their mobile phone to call for help. They had been clinging onto each kayak for 10 to 15 minutes and struggling to hold on. They abandoned one kayak and stayed together clinging onto the other kayak. On the way back to Looe the casualties told the crew they could not have held onto the kayak for much longer.

“Our crew say the water at this time of year is still very cold and if they had arrived on scene any later the outcome could have been far worse.”

Head launcher was Brian Bowdler, with tractor driver Eric Candy, shore crew Nick Pope and Paul Barley.

Shortly after launch, a member of the public arrived at the station asking if the lifeboat was going to the aid of a kite surfer. He had lost his kite in the strong winds at Seaton and had last seen it off Looe Island. At the same time, Falmouth coastguards contacted the station, as they were receiving reports of a possible kite surfer in trouble.

Lifeboat operations manager Dave Haines with Paul Barley and Simon Rawe launched the charity’s D Class Ollie Naismith crewed by Aaron Rix, Nathaniel Rothwell and Victoria Thomas to investigate. Leaving Looe at 4.12 pm the D Class headed towards Looe Island where the crew recovered the kite, before returning to station.

“The strong easterly winds were a feature in both of these shouts in Looe,” said the RNLI.

“Lifeguards in Cornwall have issued a safety warning as these strong easterly winds are forecasted to increase in strength today (Friday) through to Saturday. This means that beaches along the south coast - which are usually sheltered from the prevailing winds - are experiencing dangerous conditions.

“Please think twice and consider the risk before carrying out any sea-based activities. This includes swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and even coastal walking. The strong winds will also mean those kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on any part of our coastline should take extra care as they can easily be carried out to sea.”