Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat crews were paged to launch on three occasions during Sunday 22 April. The most serious of the incidents involved an experienced kite surfer who was being dragged out to sea at Newton after he lost control of his board and got the kite wires tangled around his leg.
The RNLI crew who had been on exercise in the area earlier, were paged by Swansea Coastguard to respond immediately back to Newton. The male surfer had his leg tangled in the kite wires and with strong winds found that he could not release himself and the power of the wind in the kite meant that he was being dragged towards the rocks at Newton Point. As soon as the lifeboat arrived on scene the surfer was handed a knife in order to cut himself free.
Once safely on board Porthcawl Atlantic 85 lifeboat the casualty told crew how dangerous the situation had been for him. The speed at which he had been dragged through the water had caused him to be pulled underwater feet first several times by the kite.
Helmsman on the lifeboat Simon Emms said ‘it was fortunate that we were on scene so quickly, whilst many kite surfers stay close to shore in this situation the casualty had no control of his situation and was being dragged into deep water and only yards away from the notorious rocks at Newton Point. It was difficult to come alongside the casualty and get the knife to him as he had no control of his speed or position. As soon as he had released the kite we were able to pull him onboard and we returned the him to Newton Beach where he was met by Porthcawl Coastguard Unit and a paramedic’.
RNLI Sea Safety Officer, Ross Martin said, ‘Part of the safety kit for all kite surfers is to carry a knife at all times. Under the power of the wind the kite wires can act like a cheese wire and cause serious injury. Today, although experienced, the casualty said he had forgotten his knife and this has proved that all safety equipment should be checked before launch every time’.
Whilst the lifeboat responded to the other two incidents neither resulted in any casualty rescue.
