Ten-Year-Old Taken to Hospital After Paddle Board Incident at Praa Sands

A ten-year-old was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty on a paddle board at Praa Sands on Tuesday 17th February 2026.

At 1pm, Falmouth Coastguard requested both Penlee Lifeboats be launched after a member of the public reported that a child on a paddle board was in difficulty in the sea.

Lifeboats Launched in Challenging Conditions

Both Penlee Lifeboats launched immediately into a south-east force 5 to 6 with a 2 metre swell.

Coxswain Patch Harvey was in command of the all-weather lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’, with a crew of six RNLI volunteers on board. Helmsman Will Treneer was in command of the inshore lifeboat ‘Mollie & Ivor Dent’, with two more RNLI volunteers.

The ‘Mollie & Ivor Dent’ was the first lifeboat to arrive on scene. The crew located a paddle board in the surf but there was no-one visible in the sea.

Child Rescued and Treated on the Beach

Falmouth Coastguard relayed that the ten-year-old had been helped out of the sea and was receiving attention on the beach from paramedics. The young person was later taken to hospital by ambulance.

Rescue 924 Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter, the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Penzance Coastguard Cliff Rescue teams were all in attendance and stood by to offer further medical assistance if required.

At 1.40pm, with confirmation that no further medical assistance was needed, the helicopters and lifeboats were released with thanks.

Both Penlee Lifeboats returned to Newlyn Harbour at 2pm and were made ready for their next service.

📷Stock Photo