Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards patrolling Nolton Haven in Pembrokeshire came to the assistance of a sailor whose dinghy had capsized on Thursday August 12.
The rescued man, aged in his 60s, was sailing a Laser class dinghy, approximately 150 metres from shore, when the boat capsized and its rudder came out.
The man was then unable to right the dinghy because of strong winds and was drifting further away and across from the beach in the direction of Broad Haven.
RNLI lifeguard Dafydd Price paddled out on a rescue board to reach the casualty, but because of the strong winds he was engaged in an urgent chase to reach the man and boat, which were being rapidly swept further away from shore.
Dafydd caught up with the sailor and brought him safely to shore, after a paddle of more than 800 metres taking nearly 30 minutes.
The man did not require any medical assistance but was feeling the cold after being in the water and needed warming.
Broad and Little Haven volunteer lifeboat crew were also called to the scene of the rescue and assisted in recovering the dinghy.
RNLI lifeguard Tom Thurston was on the beach co-ordinating communications for the rescue.
RNLI area lifeguard supervisor Stuart Penfold said: ‘This was an exceptionally difficult rescue with the strength of the wind making the paddle back to shore more than 800 metres. Dafydd is to be commended for his strength, professionalism and perseverance in rescuing the casualty.
‘We are also extremely grateful to Broad and Little Haven volunteer lifeboat crew for recovering the dinghy and bringing it safely back to shore.’
