'Distressed' windsurfer 'floats to live'

Tuesday, 24 June 2025 11:40

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

RNLI

Emergency services came to the aid of a distressed windsurfer after she got into difficulty off the Cold Knap.

Two people were struggling to return to shore when the RNLI at Barry Dock sent out its inshore lifeboat at around 4pm on Sunday 15th June.

The Barry Coastguard rescue team also attended to find one of the windsurfers was safe and well and had already begun recovering his equipment.

But the second was said to be visibly shaken ater she separarted from her board when she realised how far offshore they were.

The windsurfer had remembered the Float to Live technique, but she began to panic about what was in the water after talking to a fisherman the day before.

An RNLI crew member stayed with her to provide reassurance and support until she felt calm and safe, recognising she had "done the right thing" by floating on her back to conserve energy.

Once both casaulties - and all of their equipment - were accounted for, they were left in the care of the coastguard rescue team.

Bill Kitchen, lifeboat operations manager at RNLI Barry Dock, said: "If you get into trouble in the water, the RNLI’s advice is to Float to Live."

"Fight your instinct to swim hard - instead, turn onto your back, put your ears in the water and extend your arms and legs like a starfish. We know it’s hard but try to relax and control your breathing. Floating like this can save your life."

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