Flares vital for leisure pursuits on sea

28/02/2020

A beach rescue club spokesperson has advised windsurfers, kite surfing or kayaking to carry personal flares.

Nigel Snowshall, of Exmouth Beach Rescue Club, says, “For activities like windsurfing, kite surfing or kayaking, personal flares are recommended especially if you venture out alone.”
The comments came after a windsurfer in danger of being blown out to sea was rescued by club members who were training, reports EastDevonNews.
A windsurfer was spotted on day in February off Orcombe Point in heavy seas and strong westerly winds preventing him from reaching the shore and was later rescued by club members on a training session.
Mr Snowshall says anyone undertaking activities at sea should carry adequate safety equipment to raise the alarm in an emergency.
“He did have a good level of personal protection equipment but was on his own and only had a mobile phone as a means to summon assistance. He was lucky the members of the public who spotted him were also experienced windsurfers and were able to identify his need for urgent help.”
Exmouth Beach Rescue Club was alerted to the emergency while on training session and its boat rescued the windsurfer within minutes.
The image is of Exmouth Beach Rescue Club members on a training exercise.