Water users warned after surfer caught in rip current off East Lothian coast

Water users have been urged to be aware of strong rip currents after a surfer got into difficulty off the East Lothian coast.

The experienced surfer was dragged away from shore by a powerful rip amid three-metre waves near Belhaven Beach at around 10.30am on Friday May 15.

The inshore D class lifeboat David Lauder launched from Dunbar Harbour less than ten minutes after the alarm was raised and was on scene within three minutes. By that time the surfer had managed to get himself to shore at Winterfield Golf Club, after paddling for 40 minutes.

After confirming the surfer was safe and required no further assistance, both the D class and the all-weather lifeboat, John Neville Taylor, which had launched from Torness Power Station, were stood down.

Coastguard teams from Dunbar and North Berwick also attended.

Sam Christopherson, senior instructor at Coast to Coast Surf School said: “Surfers and other water users should be aware that the sea can have strong rip currents especially in big swell.

“If you get stuck in a rip, paddle sideways to escape the current. If you still cannot exit, sit on your board and signal for help from shore. Never ditch your board or try to swim against the current.

“The independent surfer today who was dragged out in the rip did everything right once they realised they were in trouble – staying calm and signalling for help. They were a long way out, paddling for 40 minutes off the point at Belhaven and, although they managed to get in independently, we would like to thank the RNLI for their help as their RIB (rigid inflatable boat) endured some really big surf to come and help.”

Dunbar RNLI D class helm Adrian Lavery said: “We wholeheartedly back the surf school’s safety message. The conditions were very challenging but when we heard someone was in difficulty in the water we got there as quickly as the sea state allowed.

“The surfer did well to get back to shore and we’re delighted he was none the worse for his ordeal.”