St Agnes Lifeboat Crew Launch to Check on Wing-Foiler Off Perranporth

RNLI volunteers praised the 999 call that sparked today’s lifeboat launch from St Agnes

Volunteer crew members from St Agnes RNLI were called into action yesterday, Friday 4th April, following reports of a wing-foiler in possible difficulty off Perranporth Beach.

Callout to the Water

The pager alert came in at 12.10pm, prompting the D-Class inshore lifeboat to launch swiftly with three volunteer crew aboard. Conditions were fair, and the sea was calm as the crew made their way toward the reported area.

Rounding Cligga Head, they spotted the wing used to catch the wind and pull the foil board—confirming they were in the right place.

All Well, But A Worthwhile Call

The wing-foiler was located approximately half a kilometre from shore. After a quick assessment, the crew confirmed the gentleman was well-equipped and not in need of assistance.

HM Coastguard in Falmouth remained in contact with the original caller throughout and confirmed the lifeboat had located the correct person.

Crew member Tom Probst said:

“We are always pleased to arrive on scene and find that everyone is safe. We would much rather members of the public made a 999 call to the Coastguard if they are worried about something they spot at sea. This was clearly a call made with good intentions, and it was helpful that the caller stayed on the line to help the Coastguard guide us to the right place.”

Easter Safety Reminder

With the Easter holidays underway and more people expected along Cornwall’s coast, Lifeboat Operations Manager Emma Watkins shared a timely reminder:

“This can be a busy time for search and rescue services like the RNLI. The weather looks like it is going to be great for the next few days at least, but the sea temperature is pretty low, and it is easy to get into trouble very quickly. We strongly advise people to swim at lifeguarded beaches and always check local safety information.”

The St Agnes lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused, and ready for service again by 1pm.

For advice on how to stay safe at the beach this Easter, visit the RNLI’s official guide: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

📷A wing-foiler - Credit: https://www.pooleharbour.co.uk/blogs/foiling-blogs/beginner-wing-foiling-guide