During a surfing competition, one bodyboarder got more excitement than he’d bargained for

The setting
During the Volcom surfing contest on 10 September 2011, there were hundreds of eager spectators on Porthtowan Beach in north Cornwall, while the competitors showed their prowess on the waves. The RNLI lifeguards on the beach certainly had their hands full keeping watch.

Tom Durrant, his girlfriend and her sister, who were on holiday, were not taking part in the event. The three had spent the previous day at the beach and sea without incident but on this day the waves were much bigger and the shoreline busy with people. The women decided to stay close to the beach and Tom ventured off with his board.

The lifeguards
Lifeguards Marcus Lascelles (pictured), Chris Lowry, Ben Sowter and Adam Bunt were on duty that day. Lifeguard Supervisor Josh Ward, who was not on duty, was nearby helping at the surf competition. Josh takes up the story: ‘I looked across and saw Marcus start paddling out. On the righthand side of the beach there is a fixed rip [current] that some surfers and bodyboarders use to carry themselves along. It often takes them to the back of the rocks and some people do get caught out by it.’

It was around 3.30pm, cloudy with impressive dumping waves up to 3.5m high, a flooding tide, and force 5–6 winds. Checking the sea, the lifeguards spotted a man [Tom] struggling on his own, away from the surfing competitors. Marcus ran to the water and paddled as quickly as he could with his rescue board to where the bodyboarder was trying to keep afloat and Chris Lowry fired up the inshore rescue boat (IRB). Nevertheless, because it was so windy it was hard going with just him and Ben onboard. Josh hurried across to help out and swapped over with Ben. His extra weight would help in stabilising the small boat but they still couldn’t get close enough with the IRB in the very rough conditions and were concerned it might hit the rocks or flip over.

Marcus, meanwhile, was forced to ditch the rescue board as conditions became more dangerous and he and Tom were swept towards the rocks.

The lifeguard risked serious injury to himself by putting his own body between Tom and the rocks and then using the waves to drag Tom up onto them. They were overpowered by the waves and washed back into the water on more than one occasion. Ben, who had arrived to help, assisted Marcus in getting Tom across the sharp rocks until they all eventually reached the beach. It was a slow and painful journey. Because of the rough conditions and rocks, the IRB had been forced to go back to a safer standing-by position before returning to the beach.

Bodyboarder Tom was taken back to the lifeguard hut where Chris Lowry carried out casualty care, assessing his condition and cleaning up his wounds. Tom had sustained nasty cuts and bruises on his legs, hands and feet.

Lifeguard Marcus had cuts and grazes too – mostly to his hands and feet, which he was able to treat himself. His full wetsuit had protected him from further injury. The plucky 21-year-old then went straight back on patrol.

Supervisor Josh Ward is full of admiration at how the lifeguards responded that day, particularly Marcus: ‘He’s a very experienced lifeguard. A lot of people would have been really shaken up afterwards but he kept a clear head and carried on with his duties regardless.’

A day later ...
The next day as Hurricane Katia swept across the Atlantic, the huge surf swells continued to build. The beach was red-flagged and the surfing competition was moved to another location.

Marcus has been awarded the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for his part in this rescue. There is video footage of this rescue, which can be seen at rnli.org.uk/porthtowan10sep2011.

A grateful rescuee
Tom says: ‘I have been surfing and bodyboarding for many years. I set out intending to avoid the surf competition. I made reasonable progress but it was a challenge and I did not realise I had begun drifting to the right. I had seen the strong current sign but it had not been so strong the day before and so I had not taken enough heed of it – a mistake! I tried to compensate by paddling at 45° away from the rocks but the waves and current were too strong and after another 15 minutes I was tired. I did not like the thought of climbing up the rocks.

‘The lifeguards spotted me and came to my aid. I just saw Marcus who tried to get me onto the rescue board but the sea was too rough. We kept capsizing and I couldn’t hold on. He then guided me through the rocks and helped me up onto them as I was struggling from fatigue and still wearing fins.

‘I am fairly used to being out in rough seas but generally on more familiar beaches and on a surfboard. This situation caught me out. I feel very bad that I have caused others to risk their own safety. I am very grateful to Marcus and the others for their daring rescue. It could have ended very much worse had they not been there.

‘I have since joined the RNLI as a member and will be much more careful in the future. My heartfelt thanks and respect go to all those who are very willing to risk their own lives to save others.’