Paddleboarders rescued after getting into difficulty at Aberdour’s Silver Sands
Three paddleboarders have been rescued near Aberdour Silver Sands after getting into difficulty.
They were caught by the wind, and summoned help from the coastguard yesterday afternoon.
Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat crew made their way to the scene. The trio were located in a group and the lifeboat was alongside them within 22 minutes of being called out.
Crewmember Kelly Bowler said, ‘We were initially told from the first report that the casualties were near Silver Sands, but just as we passed Burntisland harbour, we spotted the three within half a mile of Burntisland breakwater.
“When we approached the three ladies, we could see they had done the right thing by staying together in a group, which made them much easier to spot. Once alongside, we got the casualties and their boards onto the lifeboat and began taking them back to Silver Sands.
“On arrival at Silver Sands we worked with RNLI lifeguards to get the three ashore. As the tide was out, we couldn’t get close to the beach due to shallow water, so the lifeguards came out with their rescue boards and towed them back ashore without them getting wet.”
Kelly, who is a lifeguard supervisor for the RNLI as well as a volunteer lifeboat crew member, continued, ‘It was great to see both RNLI teams working together to successfully complete this rescue. Kinghorn coastguard rescue team also attended to support once all three paddleboarders were ashore.” She urged anyone going paddleboarding to you wear a buoyancy aid, carry a phone in a waterproof pouch, wear the correct leash, avoid offshore winds, wear suitable clothing to keep warm, and check the weather forecast and tide times before setting out.
“If you are in a group, and get into difficulty, keep together and tether boards together and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” she added.
Further safety advice for any watersports and activities at the coast is available on the RNLI website.