A windsurfer got into difficulty in the sea off Bembridge earlier this evening (Saturday) but was aided ashore by a fellow windsurfer.
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked alongside Bembridge RNLI to a windsurfer who had got into difficulty near Paddock Drive slipway.
Once on scene, it transpired that a fellow windsurfer had gone to the casualty’s aid and assisted them back to dry land.
The emergency teams were later tasked to 3 walkers who, despite media coverage and pleas from the emergency services, decided to take part on the St Helens Fort Walk. Read more on this here.
Are people thick going out in this weather putting emergency services at risk ?
I believe that wind surfing isn’t much fun if one goes out when there is no wind.
Then very safe, as it never leaves the shore line.
Correct. But exceptionally dangerous and stupid if too much wind!!!! Ooooops pardon!!!! Ha Ha
We are not thick as you kindly put it. We have windsurfed for years off the bembridge ledge and take pride in self rescuing and helping each other out. This is a case of somebody on the beach with no understanding of what is going on out there. The chap in question is a fit lad who is still learning . I sailed with him back to shore . I was on the bembridge lifeboat boat for 12 years anybody with any idea will know you dont send an ALB lifeboat to do a rescue in the surf line
I would very much appreciate people not jumping on the bandwagon with reference windsurfer being rescued. He was NOT in difficulty i have 40years experience in windsurfing sailing power boats and was also a bembridge lifeboat man for 12 years. In the windsurfing world it’s an unspoken rule that you self rescue yesterday was a CLASSIC case of people on the shore line not understanding what was going so made the wrong call and contacted the coastguard