Paddleboarder swept 200m out to sea after 'unexpected' change in winds at St Andrews East Sands beach

A paddleboard had to be rescued after being swept 200m out to sea on a beach in St Andrews.

The girl took off from the beach around 1.30pm on Sunday, with conditions described as calm before they headed for the area between yellow and red safety flags.

RNLI lifeguard Bradley Schreiber was on duty with senior lifeguard Valantis when they noticed an incoming tide.

“It was a sunny, busy day, and we’d just moved our flags and equipment further up the beach because of the incoming tide”, the lifeguard explained.

“At first, conditions were calm and I saw the girls preparing to paddleboard in our primary surveillance area – so I knew they were in the safest place to launch.”

The conditions were calm when two young girls were preparing to paddleboard between the yellow and red safety flags. RNLI

One of the girls had more experience with a paddleboard and was teaching her friend when a direct offshore wind picked up within minutes and pulled the less experienced girl away from shore quickly.

“She was only a few strokes out when I noticed how fast the wind was taking her. When her friend swam out and waved for help, we knew we had to act immediately,” Mr Schreiber added.

The lifeguard grabbed his rescue board and paddled towards the girl after confirming her friend was okay.

By the time he reached her, the paddleboard was 200m offshore.

“I called out, told her I was a lifeguard, and asked her to lie flat on her board to slow her drift and make it easier for me to reach her.

“Once I hooked her board to my rescue tube, I paddled us both back in,” he said.

Mr Schreiber and the girl returned safely to shore, where her mother was waiting with the senior lifeguard.

He added: “It was a successful rescue, the kind we train for every day. It’s a reminder that even on a sunny, calm day, offshore winds can pick up quickly and carry you out to sea before you realise the depth of the risk.”

The RNLI is urging anyone heading out on a paddleboard to always wear a leash and buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, and check the wind direction before going afloat.