Two children caught out on a paddle board off Marazion

An offshore breeze on a warm afternoon can feel like nothing much from the sand. Out on the water it is a different story, and on 24 July it carried a paddle board with two children aboard away from Marazion beach and into Mount’s Bay.

What happened

Falmouth Coastguard tasked Penlee RNLI at 1.40pm on 24 July 2026 after a paddle board with two children on board got into difficulty off Marazion. Helm Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood and RNLI volunteers Jack Bushnell and Matt Smith launched Penlee’s B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the ‘Mollie and Ivor Dent’, and made best speed across the bay.

The children had been caught out by a north-easterly force 4 to 5 offshore wind. The crew reached them and returned them safely to their parents on the beach.

Penlee Coxswain Patch Harvey said: “The children were a little cold and frightened but thanks to ‘Woody’ and his crew this was a well-executed rescue in a very short time.”

How people get caught out

Offshore winds are the trap here. They blow from the land out to sea, so they push you away from the beach and flatten the water near the shore, which makes conditions look calmer than they are. By the time you try to paddle back in, the wind is working against you and it tires you quickly.

The RNLI’s advice is to check the weather forecast and the tide times before you go out. Avoid offshore winds. Always wear a personal flotation device, and wear clothing suited to the conditions in the forecast.