On a popular Devon beach, unseasonably warm weather tempted people into the delights of the surf – and the dangers of the rip current …

While many families spent the afternoon carving Halloween pumpkins on 31 October 2015, others flocked to the seaside to make the most of the mild weather. At Bantham Beach, the sea was filled with surfers and bodyboarders enjoying the waves. It was the penultimate day of the beach’s 2015 RNLI lifeguard season, and brothers Isaac and Theo Stopard were on duty. 'There was an incoming tide, so I was very conscious about moving the kit up the beach and trying to maintain a safe bathing zone,’ recalls Isaac, who was on duty at the water’s edge as his shift drew to a close. He had spent the afternoon warning beach goers about the rip before they entered the water and monitoring surfers who were using the rip to paddle out. ‘At about 4pm there was a strong glare from the sun, but I noticed a number of bodyboarders further out to sea drifting towards the rip. I started walking towards the rip to advise them to swim back across. But by the time I was halfway there, they were already in trouble.’ Meanwhile Theo was just returning to the lifeguard hut from his foot patrol of the beach when another lifeguard pointed to the bodyboarders in trouble. Five people, including two children, were caught in the rip and drifting out to sea. They were surrounded by submerged rocks and buffeted by large waves. Isaac and Theo rushed to launch their inshore rescue boat. It was a race against the clock but, despite the growing danger, the brothers kept clear heads. ‘I have carried out numerous rescues and know this beach very well, so I was pretty calm and knew where I had to drive and what hazards to avoid in order to safely pick up the bodyboarders,’ Isaac recalls. ‘I knew that, as long as they remained calm and held onto their bodyboards, we would  be able to get to them in time.’Out in the surf, the bod boarders had split into two groups: two women and a girl were the furthest out and shouting for help, while a man and a girl were closer in. The brothers decided to prioritise those furthest out. ‘As we drove past the two closest in, we told them to stay calm, hold onto their bodyboards and swim parallel to the beach – we would be back soon.’ Carefully manoeuvring through the rough surf and treacherous rocks, Isaac and Theo reached the group further out to sea. They dragged both women and the child from the perilous rip and returned them safely to shore, before racing straight out again to reach the man and child still in danger. ‘By the time we got back to the other two, they were among the breaking waves,’ says Isaac, who helped the girl aboard. After swiftly dropping her off at the beach, the lifeguards powered back to the remaining bodyboarder. He had managed to swim into waistdeep water, and gratefully accepted a ride back to shore. After checking the bodyboarders were not suffering any ill effects after their ordeal – and that no one else was in trouble, the lifeguards prepared to pack up their gear and looked back on a successful rescue. ‘Isaac and I rarely have the chance to work together and that day was the first time we had done a rescue together in the boat,’ Theo says. ‘I really like working with my brother because we each know how the other works. I am very confident in his ability and judgement.’
Words: Nikki McMullen
Photo: Alex Williams

What are rip currents?

They’re fast-flowing bodies of water that can drag people and debris away from the shoreline and out to deeper
water. A rip can reach up to 4.5mph – that’s faster than an Olympic swimmer. It’s not surprising that these dangerous currents are a major cause of accidental drowning across the world and account for many RNLI lifeguard incidents. So if you’re hitting the waves, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags. That way, if you get into trouble, our lifeguards can spot you and reach you quickly. If you get caught in a rip, remember: don’t try to swim against it. Swim parallel to
shore you until you’re free of the rip – then head for the beach. Raise your hand and shout for help. For more information, see: RNLI.org/safety.