Lifted to safety: helicopter rescue for stranded surfer

It was on a grey December afternoon between Christmas and New Year that René Wright and her partner Ged McLuckie decided to venture out and explore their new community.  

The couple had recently relocated to North Scotland to escape the ‘rat run’ of city living near London, and with aspirations of setting up a business nearby, the area’s many bays and beaches provided the perfect appetiser. 

“We’d been exploring the stunning coastline a lot and that day we’d decided to take the dogs for a walk on Farr Beach, about an hour and a half away. It’s a beautiful bay that was entirely new to us. 

“The beach was empty and despite the waves, we could see the tide coming in. When we set off the weather was fine and still, but conditions had started to change,” says René, a 48-year-old businesswoman from Aberdeen. 

As they walked, Ged and René came across a rucksack and pair of shoes in the dunes. It felt strange, given the deserted beach and dwindling time before dusk. 

“Something just didn’t feel right.”

Clothing, a wallet, a phone and a sandwich. It seemed the owner had planned to come back, but something just didn’t feel right. The couple’s concern was heightened further by their fear of potential rip currents which Ged had been researching. 

“We scanned the beach and water. After a few minutes we could make out a surfer bobbing about in the distance and it felt like they were too close to the rocks. Within a few moments, the surfer had attempted to clamber onto the sharp outcrop and was waving for help.”

Being a retired Police Officer, René’s partner Ged immediately sprang into action. He called the Coastguard and headed along the coastal path to get closer.

Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) dispatched Melvich and Durness Coastguard Rescue Teams to the scene, along with an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Inverness. 

René stayed on the beach where she could provide a second view, and it wasn’t looking good. The surfer was being washed out as they struggled to contend with vicious waves lashing the rocks.

Riding the whitewater

The 25-year-old surfer, who's asked to remain anonymous, considers himself a beginner. Being from an island community, he’s no stranger to the water, but surfing Scotland’s North Coast is a new pursuit. On this occasion, it was the first time his new foam board had hit the waves. 

“I was definitely lucky, in particular to have had René’ and Ged watching from the beach – I knew I was in a proper emergency, and I could see them both looking at my gear,” he says. 

“I’d been recommended the area by a friend at work who’s a big surfer. I’d only really been planning to stay in the water at chest height and ride the white water, but I’d been caught in a rip current and couldn’t get back to shore.”

Before long, bystanders were also helping to spot the surfer and relay information. An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter soon swooped into view and winched the casualty to safety.

“In hindsight, I shouldn’t have gone in those conditions,” says the surfer. “The swell could’ve turned, and I didn’t know the beach very well. After my rescue, I think I’ll heed advice not to go in without someone knowing where I am and when I’m due back.”

Trusting your intuition

Area 2 Coastal Operations Area Commander Fiona Hastie said: “We’re enormously grateful to people like Rene and Ged. They’d clearly spotted that something wasn’t right and trusting their intuition, they called HM Coastguard.

“Conditions can change in an instant, and we’d like to remind people that they should always either have a spotter with them when entering the water or should make people aware of their entry time and location. 

“That way, if something changes, the alarm can be raised. Entering the water alone without a watchful eye could have fatal consequences.” 

“If you see something dangerous at the coast, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”