"I’m always watching them, they never surf alone” says Truro-based mum of two Gemma, who was enjoying the calmness of Christmas Eve at the coast while watching her 14-year-old son and his friend riding waves at Perranporth in Cornwall.
“I’m a Cornwall girl and I used to surf myself. Even though my son is part of a surf lifesaving club, I watch him closely and I know his actions, I know how he surfs,” she says.
Although conditions had begun calmly enough, the winds had started to pick up. Before long, strong rip currents had begun to pull surfers of all abilities sideways towards the bay’s rocky cliffs.
The sudden change in conditions, surfers struggling to make it to shore, and a dwindling visual contact with her son had unnerved Gemma on shore.
“I spoke to some local surfers who came out and told me that while the boys weren’t distressed, they were unable to get to shore – I’d lost visuals on them and with several other surfers looking in similar difficulty, I thought it was time to call the Coastguard,” she adds.
“The lady on the other end of the phone was wonderful, very calm, and said she'd send out a lifeboat. I kept apologising to her taking up their time, but while I was on the line, a young lad came to me and said his friend was also caught out in the waves.”
As their surf lifesaving training taught them, Gemma’s son and his friend recognised the signs of a rip and stayed with their boards. They didn’t exhaust themselves struggling against the powerful rip current now pulling them along the bay and before long, the pair had been assisted to shore with a tow from some local surfers.
But Gemma’s relief was short-lived however, as another child had abandoned his surfboard and was swimming to the rocky cliffs nearby. Fortunately, an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter had arrived on scene and was sent to rescue the youngster. The helicopter’s Winch Paramedic swooped up the boy and put him back safely on the beach.
“While my son and his friend had gone up to the car to get warm, I stayed to meet the other boy on the beach,” says Gemma. “The whole emergency response was very heroic and quite honestly gave me chills.
“As water users, we’re very invested in that world, so it was heartwarming to see the community come together for their own like that.”
Gemma says two bits of advice kept her son and his friend safe on Christmas Eve. Firstly, they kept hold of their boards as flotation aids, and secondly, they didn’t fight a rip current. Surfers and swimmers in a rip should swim horizontally to shore, at which point they’ll eventually be able to exit the rip safely.”
The advice is endorsed by Tom Furse, Rescue Centre Coordination Manager for Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), who adds: “We want people to enjoy the beach and coastline, but swimming or surfing in the sea can come with risks.
“Check the weather and tide times, surf on a lifeguarded beach, ideally with a buddy, and learn how to watch for rip currents. Stay within your limits and always stay with your board. Wear a wetsuit that is suitable for the conditions and tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.”
Tom added: “In this instance, Gemma’s 999 call was essential. The quicker we’re informed, the quicker we can coordinate a lifesaving response. If you see someone in trouble in the sea or at the coast, always call 999 and ask the Coastguard.”
Gemma’s son and his friend continue to surf at local beaches, as they continue their surf lifesaving training. She says: “They love the water and love surfing. For me, it’s reassuring to know that despite the worst-case scenario, there’s an amazing service out there that will step in to help when people’s lives are in danger at the coast.”
