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