RNLI weather warning to surfers in Cornwall and Devon

  • Published

The RNLI is warning surfers in Cornwall about dangerous conditions caused by strong winds after a body boarder was rescued after being swept onto rocks.

The incident happened in 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) waves at Porthtowan beach on Saturday.

The RNLI said the body boarder was "lucky" to escape with only minor injuries.

It said the stormy weather and "large swell" would last for a few days and people should "keep clear" of the sea.

RNLI lifeguard Marcus Lascelles used a rescue board to paddle out to the body boarder, who was "struggling to cope at the north end of the beach".

The rough conditions meant an inshore rescue boat was unable to get close enough to the pair to pick them up.

Mr Lascelles eventually helped the body boarder to scramble to safety "in very difficult conditions" over the rocks.

The rescue was filmed by an off-duty RNLI lifeguard who was on the beach at the time.

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