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North Wales Live
07-08-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'You can't cure stupid' as Anglesey beach dressing down for pair who ignored safety advice
"You can't sure stupid" was one person's reaction after a pair received a dressing down on an Anglesey beach. Moelfre Lifeboat said a team member offered advice to people entering the water at Benllech on a paddleboard and a kayak in unfavourable conditions. They said the pair "dismissed" the advice on Tuesday despite wind speeds of up to 30 knots at the beach. They had no safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or means of calling for help. It wasn't long before they regretted their decision as both came off their small craft in the water around 200 metres off the beach. Onlookers - including the RNLI member - saw they were in trouble and raised the alert and this saw the immediate launch of Moelfre's inshore lifeboat at around 11am. A "Good Samaritan" on the beach also went to their aid. Moelfre RNLI said: "The initial 999 call was made to the Coastguard via Moelfre Lifeboat Operations Manager, who was walking his dog on the beach and witnessed the two people get into difficulties when they came off their paddleboard and Kayak. Further 999 calls were received by the CG from other concerned onlookers. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now "With a Casualty-Care training course running on station, the crew were able to launch the ILB and be on the water within 5 minutes of the tasking. The weather was a fresh off-shore westerly wind at 25-30knts. While en route, it was reported that a third person had entered the water (a Good Samaritan on the beach) who waded out to assist, putting themselves at risk in the process. "As the inshore lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew spotted all three people leaving the water and heading up the beach. They were followed and spoke to by our ILB crew, who gave strong words of safety advice. "None of them were wearing any form of safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or had means of calling for help. The Good Samaritan was lucky in this instance, as the people in difficulty weren't too far out and they were able to assist without putting themselves in too much danger." Full-time Coxswain and Helm for this rescue, Vince Jones said: 'Our operations manager tried to advise the water users of the unfavourable conditions before even entering the water, but he was dismissed by the two people. They will have quickly realised how important his words of advice could have been. "They were fortunate the bystander went to their aid before they were blown too far offshore; however, we strongly advise against putting yourself in a position of danger to go to the aid of others. Call for help at the earliest opportunity, give directions or location advice to the coastguard and stay safe at all times. "The ILB scanned the beach for others at risk, gave some water safety advice, including the importance of wearing safety equipment and the need to be aware of weather conditions, and returned to the station for the crew to continue with their casualty care course." On social media people were fuming at the actions of the pair. One person on Facebook said: "Well done guys, people should listen to your advice as you know what you are talking about. To go out without buoyancy aids or means of communication is just madness. Hopefully a good lesson learnt. Thanks for being there to advise and rescue us." Another added: "Well done all. It must be so infuriating for you when people ignore your advice and then add insult to injury by needing to be rescued. You can't cure stupid! Thank you." Others mentioned that this was not a one-off, saying: "I've seen so many in the sea on paddleboards without life jackets on, some have young children on the board with them. It's absolutely crazy to be so unaware of the dangers."
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
Multiple paddleboarders rescued at Welsh location as urgent warning issued
Multiple paddleboarders rescued at Welsh location as urgent warning issued There is concern the hot weather this weekend could see many more caught out by strong tidal conditions off the Welsh coast "With the hot weather forecast for this weekend, we are encouraging the public to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags." (Image: Moelfre RNLI ) As another weekend of hot weather arrives in the UK, Porthcawl RNLI has issued an urgent safety warning to those planning to visit the coast this weekend. The safety warning comes after Porthcawl RNLI's volunteer crew launched the charity's lifeboats to five separate incidents during the afternoon and evening of Thursday (10 July). Four of the launches were to people using stand up paddleboards (SUP's). Launch authority Mike Cinderby said: "Nearly all of the launches on Thursday were to paddleboarders. At least three of those launches were to paddleboarders who were struggling in strong tidal currents and were taken to safety onboard our lifeboats. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "If you're visiting the coast check conditions and tide times before you go using a trusted online source, such as the Met Office. The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world. "We are currently experiencing spring tides which increases the speed the tide comes in and causes fast moving tidal currents. This puts the public at great risk of being cut off or getting into difficulty in fast moving tidal currents." The first request on Thursday was to assist a paddleboarder struggling in the tidal current off Witches Point, Southerndown. The charity's lifeboat was launched and sped towards Southerndown locating the paddleboarder off Whitmore Stairs. Article continues below The paddleboarder was taken onboard the lifeboat and dropped back to the beach at Dunraven Bay, Southerndown. Later, at 6.10pm, a 999 call came in from a fisherman on the breakwater. Three teenagers were on one paddleboard and were struggling against the tidal current and having difficulty staying on the board. The lifeboat was launched and the teenagers taken onboard and dropped to safety at the beach at Sandy Bay (Coney Beach). Immediately after the lifeboat was recovered and being washed down, a further request came in to help paddleboarders between Irongate Point and Hutchwns Point following a report they might be waving for assistance. When the Atlantic 85 lifeboat crew arrived on scene they found the pair and their dog on two paddleboards safe and well and the lifeboat stood by until the pair were safely around Hutchwns Point. The final call from HM Coastguard came in at 8.44pm following concerns for a person in the water at Sandy Bay. The charity's D Class Hugo Missen was launched on service to find the person was safely out of the water. The D Class then received a further call out to paddleboarders reported to be in difficulty at Rest Bay. Once on scene the crew liaised with two pairs of paddleboarders who initially said they required no assistance. However, whilst the D Class was on scene one of the paddleboarders fell off and got caught in the rip current at the point in Rest Bay. The paddleboarder was recovered onto the lifeboat and dropped ashore at the beach. Porthcawl Coastguard Team and Port Talbot Coastguard Team were also tasked to these incidents. Mike, who only recently qualified as a launch authority at Porthcawl along with Bleddyn Bridge, said: "This was an incredibly busy few hours for our volunteer crew and it quickly found me putting the training to use as a launch authority. "With the hot weather forecast for this weekend, we are encouraging the public to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach. "If you are going paddleboarding please take care of strong tidal currents this weekend. Wear a buoyancy aid and take a phone in a waterproof pouch. Avoid offshore winds. "If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. "If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard." Article continues below
