Lands End to Rest Bay Ride #LE2RB - Meet the Team - Andy Morgan

Andy is on the club committee and is our current club training officer. For the past few years he has been the lead Nipper coach. Having been involved with Rest Bay Lifeguards for a number of years he has represented the club in IRB competition in Germany and is currently training a group of future beach lifeguards who are due to sit their NARS BL awards imminently. 

1) Why did you decide to take part in the Lands End to Rest Bay Ride?

As it's a great cause, a great club and I'm a little bit mad!!

2) How have you prepared for the cycle?

I haven't prepared specifically for this ride, but due to competing in triathlons and cycling events throughout the Spring and the Summer, I've put in a few miles of training.

3) What are you looking forward to most about the cycle?

The fun and banter with some good friends who are also riding, and the finish of course.

4) How long have you been a member of Rest Bay Lifeguard Club?

6 years.

5) Currently living?

Nottage, Porthcawl.

6) Favourite Food?

Pasta

7) Favourite Beach?

Several but includes Rest Bay.

8) Nicknames?

None I'm aware of.

9) Favourite music right now?

Nothing in particular

10) One thing you can't leave home without?

House keys!!

11) Favourite past time?

Training for triathlons and golf.

12) Future plans?

Competing in my first Ironman triathlon, in Lanzarote. May 2014.

Further Info on the Lands End to Rest Bay Ride #LE2RB

Following the theft of the ATV from Rest Bay Lifeguard Club in October 2012 our ability to launch our rescue craft and respond quickly to casualties on the beach were both in jeopardy. Potentially lives were at risk. It also meant that our ability to hold sea based training sessions for our nippers and juniors might not be possible as these sessions needed a safety boat present whilst they took place and without an ATV it was not possible to tow the IRB onto the beach.

Thanks to the support of the community we raised considerable funds towards a replacement vehicle but need to raise more to cover the full costs. To do this a team of our lifeguards will embark on a charity cycle later this month to raise funds towards the cost of the replacement vehicle. Click here to find out more about the #LE2RB ride. 

To support our riders on #LE2RB please visit:  

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/restbay

Find us on Facebook or Twitter for updates 

Search #LE2RB for latest info

Lands End to Rest Bay event sponsors:

Parkdean, Home and Colonial, SD Wood Flooring, Dunraven Windows, Insurance 4 boats, On it Sports, The Pier Hotel, Pages DIY Ltd., Woodsies Property Services, The Atlantic Hotel, Double Overhead

Lands End to Rest Bay Charity Cycle ATV Fundraiser #LE2RB

Following the theft of the ATV from Rest Bay Lifeguard Club in October 2012 our club volunteer lifeguards faced the prospect of using their bicycles to patrol the beach during 2013...

Thanks to the support of the community we raised considerable funds towards a replacement vehicle but need to raise more to cover the full costs. To do this a team of our lifeguards will embark on a charity cycle later this month to raise funds towards the cost of the replacement vehicle:

REST BAY LIFEGUARDS LANDS END 2 REST BAY RIDE #LE2RB

Raising funds to replace our stolen ATV quad bike

LANDS END 2 REST BAY CYCLE

#LE2RB

The purpose

In October 2012 the lifeguard station at Rest Bay was broken into and an ATV quad bike stolen valued at £8500. This vehicle was used to launch rescue boats and respond to casualties on the beach quickly. Following the theft of the vehicle the provision of a lifeguard service at Rest Bay by club volunteers was compromised with the potential that lives could be at risk. Nipper and Junior training sessions were also at risk without the ability to launch our surf rescue IRB safety boat. Stolen Rescue ATV Appeal / Info (from Jan 2013)

Where we are at

Since October 2012 a number of fund raising events have taken place. We have raised a large amount through the support of the local community and whilst we have purchased a new vehicle we still need to raise more to cover the full cost. The charity cycle aims to raise £2000 towards the cost of the replacement vehicle.

The event

The cycle event (#LE2RB) will run from the 24^th – 27^th September (driving down on the 23^rd) covering a spectacular coastline route from Lands End to Porthcawl.

The 5 confirmed Participants - Chris Bluck, Andrew Morgan, Richard Castle, Ian Lewis, Arran Bluck. (Chris Page & Gavin Davies as event support).

Accommodation for the first 3 nights has kindly been provided by Parkdean Holidays.

23rd September at Holywell

24th September at St. Minver

25th September at Ruda

The cycle will end at Rest Bay on Friday September 27^th during the Porthcawl Elvis Festival 2013 when members will undertake a pub street collection to raise further funds during the Friday evening

­­Sponsorship opportunities

If your business would like to sponsor our riders or can provide the team with supplies please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages.

5 riders and their support team will take part in the event which is scheduled to take place between 23^rd – 27^th September 2013.

Throughout the event we’ll be posting updates and pictures via our social media channels where we currently have 504 facebook ‘likes’ and 420 twitter followers.

To support our riders on #LE2RB please visit:  

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/restbay

Find us on Facebook or Twitter for updates 

Search #LE2RB for latest info

Lands End to Rest Bay event sponsors:

Parkdean, Home and Colonial, SD Wood Flooring, Dunraven Windows, Insurance 4 boats, On it Sports, The Pier Hotel, Pages DIY Ltd., Woodsies Property Services, The Atlantic Hotel, Double Overhead

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))