Pentewan Beach Rescue: Kayaker Blown Out to Sea in Minutes

The wind was doing exactly what coastguards warn about, and it nearly cost someone their day at sea.

Mevagissey Coastguard, Fowey RNLI and Cornwall Watersports were called into action on Wednesday 13th May after a person in an inflatable kayak was blown offshore from Pentewan Beach.

What Happened

The team were paged at 2:18pm following a report of a kayaker being carried out to sea. Before emergency services arrived, another beach user had spotted the incident and launched their own dinghy, fitted with an engine, to help.

Fowey’s Atlantic lifeboat reached the scene shortly afterwards and brought everyone back to shore, along with both the dinghy and the inflatable kayak.

Once on land, the Coastguard team carried out a quick assessment and found no medical attention was needed. Safety advice was passed on, Fowey Lifeboat was released with thanks, and the team stood down.

The Warning From The Coastguard

Mevagissey Coastguard used the incident to remind beachgoers about the risks of inflatables when the wind is blowing offshore (from the land out to sea). That includes kayaks, paddleboards and even sit-on-top kayaks, all of which can be carried out to sea or separated from their users in a very short space of time.

Anyone heading out is advised to carry a means of communication, such as a phone in a waterproof bag or a radio. Without one, and without anyone on shore noticing what has happened, the situation can turn serious quickly.

For anyone unsure about conditions at Pentewan, the Coastguard team pointed to Becci at Cornwall Watersports, who is on hand to offer advice. If there’s no one available to ask, the message is simple. Stay on shore.