Assist x1 - Wednesday 30/07/14

ASSIST 18.45 - Capsized kayaker who had been swept around point was assisted by off duty lifeguards Chris Page and Arran Bluck who paddled out to him to provide assistance on rescue boards. Chris and Arran were present at the time due to junior training which was being held at the beach during the evening. Assisted by Chris and Arran the kayaker managed to reboard his capsized kayak and then paddled back around into the main bay.

Off Duty Lifeguards Involved: Chris Page, Arran Bluck
Conditions: 2 foot surf, overcast
HW: 21.25 

Assist Sunday 21st July 2013

ASSIST x4 15.40 – 4 children on bodyboards were struggling to return to shore due to strong offshore winds and the current near the point. Rhys Breckon paddled out to them using a rescue board and assisted them back to a depth where they could stand up. Rhys was backed up by Gareth. Rhys managed to get them back to a standing depth by getting them to hold the handles on his rescue board.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gareth Davies, Arran Bluck

Volunteer Lifeguards Involved: Rhys Breckon

Conditions: Sunny, Strong offshore wind, flat calm conditions

Rescue & Assist Monday 6th May 2013

IRB RESCUE 14.00 – The surf rescue IRB was launched to rescue a surfer who was struggling in the current at the point. He was unable to make it back to shore unaided. The IRB picked him up and returned him to the beach.

IRB ASSIST x2 14.10 – The IRB then assisted a further 2 surfers struggling in the current near the point and transferred them across the bay to a less dangerous area.

Volunteer Lifeguards Patrolling: Chris Page, Andy Morgan, Gareth Davies, Nathan Evans, Kieran Bluck, Dan Castle, Rhys Brothers

IRB Crew: Dan Castle (driver), Rhys Brothers (crew)

Conditions: Sunny, 2-3 foot surf, incoming tide

Lifeguards Launch Fundraising Appeal Following Theft of £8500 Quad Bike

Rest Bay Lifeguard Club has launched a fundraising appeal to replace the quad bike which was stolen from their lifeguard station at the end of October 2012. The quad bike was an essential part of operations on the beach and was used as both a response vehicle to reach casualties on the beach quickly as well as being used to launch surf rescue powercraft to rescue and assist beach goers who had got into difficulties in the strong currents at Rest Bay. The club has around 200 members from 7 upwards and the quad was used to support training operations. Without the ability to tow and launch the safety boat to cover training sessions these sessions could be put in jeopardy.

Club Captain Chris Page said, ‘We have been left devastated by how thieves could steal a rescue vehicle. To make matters worse our insurers would not cover this vehicle for theft. As a result we now need to raise a substantial amount of money before summer 2013 starts. Without the ability to reach casualties on the beach or launch rescue powercraft quickly I have no doubt that lives at Rest Bay will be at risk. In 2012 lifeguards at Rest Bay performed 93 first aids, found 26 missing children, rescued 6 people and assisted a further 17 from the water. The quad was used in a large percentage of these incidents. We are very greatful to members of the community who have already donated to the appeal but still need your support as we have a substantial amount to raise. If you’re involved with an organisation or company who may be able to help out please get in touch. You can contact us via our facebook or twitter pages or by email: info@restbaylifeguards.org.uk

If you wish to donate to the appeal please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Rest Bay.

Thieves target lifesaving charity

Lifeguards who have rescued 6 people and assisted 17 persons in difficulties from the sea at Rest Bay during the summer season have been targeted by callous thieves.

The thieves broke into the lifeguard station at Rest Bay in Porthcawl at 7.13pm on Tuesday 30^th October using significant force to gain entry through a shutter door and smashed outside lights to hide their activity. Undeterred by the lifeguard station alarm system they stole the charity’s ATV quad bike. The vehicle is a red Honda TRX 500 FE Quad Bike (pictured) registration CU09 AWJ worth over £8000. Club Captain Chris Page said, ‘the thieves must have man handled the ATV to remove it from the building as they didn’t have access to the keys. This incident has had a huge impact on our operations and could potentially endanger lives on Rest Bay. Although we don’t officially patrol the beach during the winter months we do provide water safety event cover for a number of surfing competitions. The next surfing event being in just a few weeks time. Without a vehicle this has put our ability to provide safety cover for this event in jeopardy. The ATV is used to launch our surf rescue boat and also as a patrol and response vehicle for incidents that occur on the beach.

During the summer lifeguards at Rest Bay dealt with 93 first aid incidents. In many of these the ATV was used to respond to incidents across the whole of Rest Bay. One example was when lifeguards received reports of an elderly gentleman who had collapsed on the board walk. Our lifeguards responded quickly using the ATV and provided initial casualty care. The man was later flown to hospital by air ambulance. If the quad bike is not recovered we are faced with needing to raise significant funds to ensure we can still provide a first class lifeguard service to the users of Rest Bay. It will also mean that our junior members cannot train as we will be unable to launch the safety boat for training sessions.’

Club Chairman and local PC Chris Bluck said, ‘it is extremely disappointing that thieves would target equipment used to patrol the beach and save lives. The lifeguard club is a charity run and funded through grants and voluntary donations. It costs the club thousands of pounds each year to run, maintain and insure our rescue equipment and to be targeted by thieves in this way is heart breaking. From a policing point of view I would ask anyone to report anything suspicious they may have noticed in the Rest Bay area on Tuesday 30^th October. If you noticed people in the area, a van or maybe a vehicle with a trailer parked on the double yellow lines at the rear of the lifeguard station around 7.13pm please pass the information to South Wales Police on 101.

Rest Bay lifeguard club plans to launch an appeal to raise funds to replace the stolen rescue quad bike. If you are interested in making a donation you can contact the club by email: info@restbaylifeguards.org.uk or www.facebook.com/restbay or www.twitter.com/rest_bay_lg

Rescue Monday 18th September 2012

A 25 year old surfer from Neath will be very grateful following a rescue in the surf rescue IRB. A series of coincidences meant that Ian James, a qualified IRB driver was at the lifeguard station in the right place at the right time on Monday evening.

 

The IRB had been at an IRB racing competition on Sunday in Barry where members of the Rest Bay team came 4th overall. The race finished late so Ian decided to store the IRB at his home overnight and return the IRB to the lifeguard station the following day. Whilst he was at the lifeguard station returning the IRB at around 18.00 on Monday evening a member of the public saw Ian outside the lifeguard station and came to tell him that there was a surfer in difficulties in the rip current at the point and in danger of being swept onto rocks.

 

At the time the tide was incoming with high water around 20.03. Conditions were big, blown out and messy with a strong rip and lateral current due to the large spring tides. Due to the fact the surfer required immediate assistance Ian took the decision to launch the IRB. He had to quickly remove the straps used to transport the IRB on road and with the assistance of 2 local girls (Danielle Jones and Kat Sinclair who were in the vicinity) launched the IRB. The IRB was crewed by the friend of the surfer in difficulties.

 

Ian negotiated the conditions and reached the stricken surfer with the surfers friend helping him onboard the IRB. They then returned to the safety of the beach with no further medical assistance required. 

 

This rescue comes following a number of rescues this summer out of normal lifeguarding hours. The current is particularly strong at present due to large spring tides. If visiting Rest Bay we recommend you stay on the golf club side of the station for your own safety. Rest Bay no longer has full time lifeguard cover so please be aware of the dangers at the beach. For further beach safety information relevant to Rest Bay please read this guide.

 

We would like to express our thanks to those members of the public who assisted Ian allowing him to perform this rescue.

 

IRB Crew: Ian James (driver), Luke Griffiths (crew - (friend of the surfer in diffulties))

Assist x3 Saturday 15th September 2012

Three surfers required assistance from lifeguards operating the RWC (Rescue Water Craft) on Saturday afternoon during the incoming tide.

Due to the strong current on the incoming tide produced by the large spring tide the surfers all found themselves struggling to make it back to shore unassisted.

The RWC was deployed to patrol the point area throughout the afternoon and each of the surfers were assisted by RWC driver Nathan Evans who picked them up using the rescue sled and transported them across the bay to an area they could continue to surf more safely.

RWC driver: Nathan Evans
Conditions: Overcast, 2-3 foot surf, Moderate Winds

Notes: The Rescue Water Craft (RWC) is a specially modified rescue waverunner commonly known by the tradename jetski.

Assist x2 Thursday 30th August 2012

ASSIST x2 16.30 – In very large challenging surf conditions lifeguards at base alerted lifeguards on the beach of 2 surfers drifting rapidly in the very strong current on the incoming tide. The surfers appeared unaware of the danger they were in and were rapidly drifting towards the point. Due to the conditions exit from the water would have been impossible once they had drifted past the headline in Rest Bay.

The beach was red flagged due to the conditions with waves with 6-8ft faces and very strong cross shore winds. All water users other than the 2 surfers had left the water.

The RWC which was in the process of being recovered was relaunched to proceed out to the surfers and give safety advice and advise them to return to shore. When the RWC arrived on scene the surfers were very close to drifting past the point. Lifeguards Nathan Evans and Gavin Davies continued to monitor the situation from the beach but due to the size of the surf and reflection of the sun it was very difficult to monitor the situation from the beach or the lifeguard station. Volunteer lifeguard Chris Page relocated in the 4x4 to the top of the headland to provide surveillance and provide other lifeguard units with regular updates on the situation as the RWC driver was unable to partake in radio com's due to the need to concentrate on the conditions.

As experienced IRB driver Gareth Davies was present at the station it was decided to also launch the IRB. This provided additional safety cover for the RWC driver should he get into difficulties and meant both surfers could be helped quickly if both required assistance simultaneously. Once the surfers made it back to shore the RWC and IRB were both recovered.

Both surfers had been unaware of the dangerous location they were in and fortunately made it back to shore unaided before the situation evolved further.

Duty Lifeguards: Nathan Evans, Gavin Davies, Lewis Campbell

Volunteer RWC (jetski) Driver: Andy Morgan
Volunteer IRB Crew: Gareth Davies Snr (driver), Dan Castle (crew)
Conditions: Overcast, Strong Westerly wind, 6-8 foot surf, Beach red flagged

Rescue Sunday 26th August 2012

RESCUE 16.30 – 18 year old bodyboarder struggling to return to shore against a rip current pulling him out to sea just outside the flagged zone. Arran Bluck paddled to him on a rescue board as the bodyboarder was attempting to swim and tow his bodyboard but could barely stay afloat. Arran helped him onto his rescue board and returned him to the safety of the beach.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gavin Davies, Arran Bluck

Conditions: Sunny, light onshore wind, 3-4 foot surf

General Beach Safety Information

When visiting a beach look out for safety signs and safety information. Be particularly aware of any dangers specific to the beach you are visiting. Speak to the lifeguards about any dangers at the beach especially when visiting a new beach for the first time.

Most importantly try to choose a lifeguarded beach during lifeguard patrol hours and always swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the area supervised by lifeguards.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit goodbeachguide.co.uk. You can also download the RNLI beach finder app.

Before visiting the beach take a look at the beach safety videos below:

(Although the video below is made in Australia it is relevant to UK beaches too).

The video below was made by Rest Bay Lifeguard Club:

Rip Current and Dangers at Rest Bay

Despite our continued safety warnings and safety information on the noticeboard at the lifeguard station we continue to find people getting into difficulties whilst visiting Rest Bay out of patrol hours.

The main issues are happening in the evenings when lifeguards have finished patrolling for the day. So far this summer lifeguards at Rest Bay have been involved in 7 rescues/assistances which have occurred in the evening during out of hour lifeguard training sessions held at the beach. The most recent assist being of a surfer struggling in the strong current at 18.45 on Monday 21st August. The week before 2 girl bodyboarders were assisted at around 18.30 on Tuesday 14th August and a boy struggling in the rip current whilst swimming was assisted at 19.30 on Monday 13th August. These incidents all took place following a recent article / safety message printed in the gazette on Thursday 9th August following evening rescues by off duty lifeguards in the evenings of Monday 8th August and Thursday 26th July.

Club Captain Chris Page is keen to make a safety plea from Rest Bay Lifeguard Club in light of the recent evening rescues which have taken place, 'we strongly urge beach goers to only visit lifeguarded beaches during patrol hours this summer for their own safety. This is particularly important for less experienced surfers, bodyboarders and swimmers and especially those unfamiliar with the dangers at their local beach. 

Lifeguards play a proactive role preventing incidents occurring and zone the beach into different areas to keep people safe. Red and Yellow flags mark the swimming and bodyboarding area which is patrolled by lifeguards whilst black and white flags mark the surfing area for people on surf boards and other hard craft. If you see the red flag flying don't go in the water. At Rest Bay there is a bylaw making bathing prohibited whenever the red flag is flying.

Recent rescues we have performed in the evenings show just how dangerous the beach can be when there are no lifeguards present. The one which occurred on Monday night was on a local boy who you'd hope would be more aware of the dangers at Rest Bay.'

The RNLI produce an excellent beach safety guide with further information on staying safe at the beach: RNLI beach safety guide. To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit goodbeachguide.co.uk or you can also download the RNLI beach finder app.

The main danger at Rest Bay is found during the incoming and outgoing tide. There is a strong rip current near to the point at the left hand side of the bay as you look out from the lifeguard station. This tends to be stronger on spring tides and whenever there is surf at the beach. The rip occurs due to all the water being pushed into the bay naturally trying to escape. It does this at the edge of the bay running out along the rocks at the point.

We also get a strong lateral current in the direction of town on the incoming tide due to water moving up the Bristol Channel with the incoming tide.

If there are no lifeguards present we would recommend to people going in the sea that they stay on the golf club side of the lifeguard station. Once you get swept around the point by the rip current there is no where to safely get to shore - particularly if there is large surf breaking onto the rocks. The safest thing to do is stay with your board or float on your back and signal for help to people on locks common. Someone will see you in trouble and contact the coastguard who will call the lifeboat. If you see someone in difficulties dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

The image below is specific to Rest Bay and particularly relevant if visiting the beach outside of lifeguarded hours.

When there is large surf or a strong current at Rest Bay inexperienced surfers, body boarders and swimmers may find the conditions at Sandy Bay (Coney Beach) more suited to their ability.

Rest Bay, Sandy Bay, Trecco Bay and Pink Bay are all patrolled by lifeguards during the school summer holidays between 10.30-18.00 Mon to Fri and 10.00-18.00 Sat and Sun.

Assist x3 Monday 20th August 2012

ASSIST x2 11.45 – 2 bodyboarders aged 10 and 12 were caught in the rip current near to the point on the outgoing tide. They were struggling to get back to the shore unaided. Nathan Evans paddled out on a rescue board and assisted them back to the beach.

ASSIST 18.45 - Lifeguards remained at beach from 18.00 onwards to provide a volunteer patrol. Due to the surf and big spring tide the current was particularly strong and conditions hazardous. The RWC was deployed to patrol the point area and keep all water users across on the golf club side of the lifeguard station. Despite our safety warnings given to a surfer on a number of occasions he eventually found himself in difficulties and requested assistance from the RWC. The RWC picked him up and transferred him across the bay on the rescue sled.

Duty Lifeguards: Nathan Evans, Gavin Davies, Lewis Campbell

RWC (jetski) Driver: Nathan Evans
Conditions at 11.45: Sunny Spells, light onshore wind, 2-3 foot surf

Conditions at 18.45: Sunny, light onshore wind, 4-5 foot surf

Assist x2 Tuesday 14th August 2012

ASSIST x2 18.45 – Club members involved in a IRB examination were alerted to 2 girl bodyboarders struggling in the rip current near to the point. The girls were making slow progress against the current and welcomed the offer of assistance from the IRB crews. Both the Rest Bay IRB and a Surf Lifesaving IRB were operating at the time and each IRB assisted a girl back to shore.

IRB Crew 1: Nathan Evans (Driver), Arran Bluck (Crew)

IRB Crew 2: Dan Castle (Driver), Kieran Bluck (Crew)
Conditions: Sunny, 4 foot clean surf

Assist Monday 13th August 2012

ASSIST 19.30 – Off duty lifeguards still present at the beach having just completed a lifeguard training session in the IRB and RWC spotted a boy being assisted by a bodyboarder struggling in the rip current near to the point. The IRB was relaunched and the boy picked up by the IRB crew and returned to the beach.

IRB Crew: Nathan Evans (Driver), Chris Page (crew)

Conditions: Hot and sunny, 3-4 foot surf

Rescue Saturday 23rd June

RESCUE 11.45 – Bodyboarder in difficulties swept by rip current towards rocks at point during outgoing tide. Gavin Davies paddled to him on a rescue board securing the casualty on the board and returning him to the safety of the beach.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gavin Davies, Lewis Campbell

Conditions: Overcast / Showers – 3-4 foot blown out messy surf

Assist x2 Sunday 28th August 2011

Assist 13.45 – 10 year old boy struggling out of his depth in flagged area. Nathan Evans responded immediately paddling out on rescue board. The boy managed to get back into his depth with assistance from his dad.

Assist 17.00 – A number of surfers were caught in current and drifting towards the point. Chris Page and Kieran Bluck launched the IRB to encourage them to catch a wave to shore and offer further assistance. All surfers made it back to shore unaided.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gareth Davies jnr, Nathan Evans

Conditions: 2-3 foot surf, overcas

IRB Crew: Chris Page (driver), Kieran Bluck (crew)

Assist & Rescue Saturday 27th August 2011

Strong current on incoming tide meant a number of people required assistance during the incoming tide.

Assist 15.00 – 55 year old man swimming drifting dangerously close to the point. CP paddled out on rescue board to assist him and encourage the man to swim to shore.

Assist 16.00 – Surfer drifting in current close to point. Assisted to shore by CP who paddled out on a rescue board.

Assist 16.30 – 17 year old girl on surf board caught in current. Assisted to shore by CP on rescue board.

Rescue 16.45 – Surfer struggling in strong current near point. Picked up by CP on RWC and brought back to the safety of the beach.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Rhys Brothers, Nathan Evans

Conditions: 2-3 foot surf, sunny spells

Assist x4 Sunday 14th August 2011

Assist 16.00 – A surfer caught in the current near to the point was assisted by the RWC and dropped across the bay on the golf club side of the lifeguard station where conditions were safer.

Assist 16.20 – A kite surfer lost his kite board and was drifting dangerously close to the point. The RWC (assisted by Mike Kay on a rescue board) recovered the lost board and transferred it to the kite surfer who was then able to get himself out of danger and back to the beach.

Assist 17.00 – 2 more surfers were struggling in the strong current. The RWC stood by and gave safety advice encouraging them to catch a wave to shore. Both made it safely back to the beach.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Rhys Brothers, Nathan Evans

Conditions: 4-5 foot messy surf, overcast, strong wind

Rescue Sunday 3rd July 2011

A very busy day on the beach due to hot and sunny weather as well as large surf. At 18.00 the location of the tide and strength of the current and volume of people on the beach and in the water made it impossible for lifeguards to leave the beach at normal closing time.

Rescue 18.20 – A 13 year old boy was caught in the strong current and being pulled towards the point. Chris Page was patrolling the point on the RWC and spotted the boy in difficulty. Timing the pick up between waves the boy was pulled to safety on board the RWC and brought back to shore.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gareth Davies jnr, Nathan Evans

Conditions: 3-4 foot clean surf, hot and sunny

Rescue Saturday 4th September 2010

Rescue 16.00 – 10 year old boy swimming in red and yellow flagged area got dragged out of his depth due to the strong currents and offshore wind. He was unable to get back to shore unaided. Rhys Brothers who was patrolling the area on a rescue board picked up the boy on his board and paddled him back into the beach.

Duty Lifeguards: Chris Page, Gareth Davies jnr, Rhys Brothers

Conditions: 3 foot clean surf, sunny, strong offshore wind