RNLI Offshore Magazine – Summer 2022 Issue by Royal National Lifeboat Institution

OFFSHORE Summer 2022 | ISSUE 92

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL AT THE COAST RNLI.org

ON YOUR FEET! SURF INSTRUCTION FROM LIFEGUARD ANNIE JAGOE P14

| P2 ON THE RADAR: TOW FLOATS FOR OPEN WATER SWIMMING | P4 LEARN HOW TO READ WEATHER AND TIDES LIKE A LIFEBOAT CREW MEMBER | P11 THE VENDÉE EXPERIENCE: ADAPTING AT SEA WITH PIP HARE | P16 STUCK IN THE MUD WITH A RISING TIDE

LOVE WHERE

YOU LIVE: ORKNEY P8

WELCOME Dear reader Whether you’re reading this from a deckchair, sun lounger or armchair, we hope summer 2022 warms your skin and blows fresh sea air into your lungs. This issue brings a deep dive into what our crews learn about weather and tides (page 4). Meanwhile, on page 11, Pip Hare asks us to consider our preparedness at sea, sharing one of her many adaptations during the 2020 Vendée Globe race. Brave the bustle of the beach and learn how to stand up on a board with instructor and lifeguard Annie Jagoe (page 14). Or indulge in some Orkney daydreaming on page 8, where RNLI volunteers share what they love about their archipelago. And, if you live near or visit beaches with mud or sinking sand (Westonsuper-Mare, I’m looking at you!), be sure to check out page 16. Soak up every drop of joy summer has to offer, and stay safe!

Email: offshore@rnli.org.uk

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Anna Burn and the Offshore Team

Summer 2022 | ISSUE 92 ©RNLI 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change. Chair: Stuart Popham Chief Executive: Mark Dowie Offshore Editor: Anna Burn Offshore Design: Andy Perryman

Front cover photograph: Fanny Reychler

If you have any enquiries – or would prefer not to receive this magazine – please email supporterexperience@rnli.org.uk. Alternatively, please call 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) weekdays 8am–6pm, or post c/o RNLI Support Centre, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney

Tow floats increase your visibility on the surface of the water

SUMMER PICKS (FROM SHOP.RNLI.ORG) OSPREY CHANGING ROBE A full-length long-sleeve fleece-lined changing robe, perfect for wild swimmers, surfers and sailors alike. It’s waterproof and windproof, and makes changing outdoors easier, warmer and more private. Available in sizes S–XL.

RRP £99 Ref: RS2248207

ON THE RADAR (TOW) FLOAT TO LIVE

MEET OUR In this issue of Offshore, quotes, practical advice and lifesaving tips are brought to you by:

Whether a quick dip at the beach or as part of your regular exercise, sea swimming done safely can be great for our physical and mental health. One bit of kit to help us swim safely is a tow float – a large buoyant or inflatable bag designed to float on the surface behind a swimmer. RNLI Water Safety Education Manager Gabbi Batchelor advises:

' Tow floats are recommended in outdoor conditions for openwater swimmers in particular, but also for triathletes, families and recreational swimmers' 'They're designed to aid visibility of swimmers from a distance and are always brightly coloured (bright green or pink are recommended). While they might aid you in floating, they cannot be relied upon as a flotation device in an emergency and are not approved or recognised for this use.' We recommend choosing one with a waterproof pouch to safely stow your phone, for use in an emergency. Some tow floats also come with other useful accessories such as whistles and glow sticks.

ADRIAN BANNISTER RNLI TRAINER

Adrian helps RNLI lifesavers learn the skills and knowledge they need to save lives and bring everyone home safely.

ANNIE JAGOE RNLI LIFEGUARD, PORTSTEWART, NORTHERN IRELAND

A former surfing and kayaking instructor, Annie keeps beachgoers safe in Portstewart.

GABBI BATCHELOR RNLI WATER SAFETY EDUCATION MANAGER

Gabbi is based in the south east of England. She runs a lifesaving club and is a keen open-water swimmer.

PIP HARE OCEAN RACING SAILOR

FUN FACTOR: AVAILABILITY: COST:

Pip’s clocked over 300,000 miles across the world’s oceans and completed the 2020 Vendée Globe race.

SEA-SEARCHER RECOVERY MAGNET

AQUAPAC RNLI STASH POUCH

This very powerful magnet is a must-have for rescuing your precious tools and keys from the water. With a capacity of up to 64kg thanks to a strontium-ferrite core, its keeper plate makes it compass-safe at 6 feet.

Waterproof to 50m, this stash pouch provides total protection for cash, cards and keys – it even floats! Also great for keeping dirt and sand away from your belongings. Dimensions: 13cm x 8cm x 2cm.

RRP £35 Ref: RS2133803

RRP £18 Ref: RS2238208 3

NEED TO KNOW

WEATHER AND TIDES

St Mary's Severn class lifeboat off Bishop Rock off the coast of the Isles of Scilly

' Before we launch, we brief the crew. The sea state is a big consideration, especially in very bad weather.' Andy Doe, Coxswain, Hastings Lifeboat Station

7 things RNLI crews can teach you about weather and tides Understanding the waves and weather is a key part of RNLI training. How can you use what our volunteers learn to stay safe on the water this summer?

The days when lifeboats were solely crewed by local fishermen and sailors are long gone. Today, over 95% of lifeboat volunteers have no seafaring background when they join. But whether you’re crew on an allweather Severn class lifeboat or just enjoying an outing on a little dinghy, an understanding of weather and tides is essential to ensure you enjoy the best – and safest – experience on the water. Here we take a look at seven things RNLI crews are taught about weather and tides. 1. HOW HIGH ARE THE TIDES? ‘Knowing the tide times is important if you want to be able to safely navigate on the water,’ says RNLI Lifeboat Trainer Adrian Bannister. ‘You need to continuously monitor depth and

maintain adequate clearance between the lower part of your boat (its draught) and the sea bed when afloat. For our crews, tide height can affect everything from the way they conduct search operations, to the speed with which they can reach a casualty’s location.’ There’s an array of places to get information from. Almanacs, apps, and local timetables all have information pertaining to specific areas so you can work out the times of high and low tide. Many options rely on information from the UK and Ireland hydrographic offices. You can get the information direct at easytide.admiralty.co.uk. Make sure you know where your echo sounder is calibrated to measure from. A lot of water users adjust it to display the depth of water from the lowest part of their boat. The helm must know the

minimum depth they’d expect to see, and that the standing order is to stop the boat if the depth drops beneath that. A top tip is to set a depth alarm to alert you if you enter shallow waters. 2. SPRINGS OR NEAPS? As well as the heights of tides, it’s useful to know about ‘springs’ and ‘neaps’. Spring tides are not related to the season. They’re caused when the moon and the sun align during a new or full moon. The height difference between high and low water is much larger during spring tides. This also means more water moves, flowing faster. Spring and neap tides rotate within a 28-day cycle, with 7 days between them. Neap tides have a smaller tidal range than usual, meaning the height doesn’t fluctuate as dramatically.

NEED TO KNOW

' Boathandling and decision making in choppy seas is a key part of RNLI training’

Newhaven lifeboat conducts a search in rough seas

If in doubt, take a look at the phase of moon and you’ll be able to work out whether you’re closer to a spring or neap tide. ‘For lifeboat crews, knowing when it’s a spring tide can make a big difference to a rescue,’ says Adrian. ‘The higher high tide could see the lifeboat get to places that it normally couldn’t reach on the water. Conversely, at low tide, it may be unable to get somewhere that it could normally reach. Knowing the difference is vital to planning out a successful rescue. For you, knowing the tide height could help you navigate through areas of shallow water, or get you in and out of harbour safely.’ 3. CONFUSED SEAS A key term that lifeboat crews are taught about is ‘confused seas’. ‘This can happen when the wind changes,

when the tide flows over submerged obstructions, or when waves bounce off cliffs and harbour walls or bend around islands,’ says Hastings Lifeboat Coxswain Andy Doe. ‘These confused seas are particularly difficult to navigate because they cause such unpredictable motion. ‘When we need to work on deck – to recover a casualty from the water, for example – we’ll turn into the waves. If the waves are coming from more than one direction, that’s not possible, and the crew can get very wet.’ If you’re in an area with potential for confused seas, ensure both you and your passengers are extra vigilant on deck. 4. TIDAL STREAM Another thing that crew members have to be aware of is the tidal stream – how fast and in what direction the water is flowing. To do this, they use either

a tidal stream atlas or tidal diamonds. The atlas works by displaying arrows on a map. These arrows vary in length and thickness, the size indicating the strength of the current. It will also show the speed of the current during spring and neap tides, measured in knots. ‘You may have seen tidal diamonds on your nautical charts.The numbers in these diamonds correspond to a chart, and you can crosscheck between the two to find the current in that area,’ Adrian explains. ‘Knowing the speed of the current can be vital to a successful search operation. Crews will also sometimes look for visual clues, such as the speed and direction of seaweed or bubbles in the water.’ 5. BRING THE WEATHER (FORECAST) WITH YOU With up-to-date weather forecasts available online and on apps, there’s no good reason not to check the weather forecast before you go out and during your journey. You’ll need to know the wind speed and direction, the sea state, what the weather conditions and visibility are like. You also need to know if the weather that’s been forecast is ‘imminent’ (expected within 6 hours), ‘soon’ (between 6–12 hours), or ‘later’ (more than 12 hours). Whether you use the Met Office and Met Éireann or other sites and apps, make sure you not only check the forecast for the day and future (in case it comes

SAFETY TIPS ADRIAN BANNISTER RNLI LIFEBOAT TRAINER

When it comes to planning a passage, you should use APEM – appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring. Appraising and planning means getting the information before you depart. Monitoring means keeping an eye on the depth sounder and listening to weather forecasts on the VHF. It’s also about knowing when to set sail and when to wait. For example, a harbour entrance might be inaccessible when it’s wind against tide, but you know the direction of tide will change in a few hours – meaning the wind will be with the tide, making it safer to enter. 6

Check your charts for depth and current information.

IN ALL WEATHERS One of the most famous video clips of RNLI lifeboats in action is of Hastings lifeboat in Storm Ciara (read about in your spring 2021 Offshore). Coxswain Andy Doe reflects: 'All-weather lifeboats are built to cope with extremely challenging weather, but people really aren’t. Poor visibility and violent, unpredictable motion is the perfect recipe for seasickness. We were at sea for 4½ hours, being shaken around the whole time. Everything heavy on the lifeboat is fixed down but still, turning it over makes a heck of a mess. We train in bad weather so we’re ready to work in bad weather, but a knockdown or capsize is something you can’t really practise.’

through earlier than anticipated), but also weather in the days leading up to your passage, as it may have created swell. And remember you may lose phone signal on the water, so take printed tide tables, charts and forecasts as a backup. Also keep a listening watch of VHF Channel 16, where the coastguard issues MSI broadcasts – including inshore waters forecast – every 3 hours. ‘Lifeboat crews pay particular attention to the fetch – the distance wind travels unobstructed over water,’ Adrian says. ‘If the wind travels long distances, it creates larger waves, making areas more difficult to navigate. Crews check the wind direction and plot their route accordingly. Try to avoid areas where the wind is also blowing against the direction of the tide, as this will create more confused wave patterns, and potentially choppier, violent seas. In this case, sailing in deeper water, where the waves are calmer, may be easier.' 6. WEATHER CARD All crew members have a weather check card on their person. This card describes the Beaufort Wind Scale and what the different levels mean. So if they hear ‘Force 7’ on the radio, they know it’s a near gale with speeds 28–33 knots. The card also has information on the

Hastings Shannon class in Storm Ciara

Sea state has a big effect on search operations

sea state, which breaks down what each state means, as well as visibility. ‘It’s important for crews to give an accurate description of the conditions they’re facing,’ says Adrian. 'This will be relayed to the coastguard who then use it to adjust certain factors, especially on a search operation.’ It might be a good idea for you to create your own weather ‘cheat sheet’ that breaks down terminology into easily understandable terms. That way, if you listen to a forecast on the radio or need to provide information over your VHF, you can be as accurate as a lifeboat crew member.

7. PREPARATION IS KEY All the classroom exercises and training routines are designed to help RNLI crew members react rapidly and confidently to the conditions they may face on the water. Practice and preparation are key to a successful rescue. And that’s something you can do too. By checking the tides and weather in advance, and using the knowledge that RNLI lifesavers are given, you can enjoy the water more safely – whatever the weather. ■ Words: James Dwyer Photos: RNLI/(Paul Appleton, Henry Doe, Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams) 7

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE:

ORKNEY ISLANDS We ask three RNLI volunteers in Orkney to share what's special to them about the place where they live

'THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE I WOULD RATHER LIVE' 8

Many in the Orkney community enjoy rowing

GRAHAM CAMPBELL

VOLUNTEEER CREW

Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney. It’s home to around 8,500 people, roughly a third of Orkney’s population. The town has been a royal burgh since 1486, 14 years after Orkney and Shetland were annexed to Scotland as the result of a failed dowry from Christian I of Norway. I was born and brought up here and have lived by the sea my whole life. The people here are open and friendly. Everybody helps everybody – everybody knows everybody. The community here mucks in when things need to be done. I think the feeling of freedom we have helps to make us who we are; it feels like a very safe community. In the summer we enjoy long, light nights and at midsummer it never gets fully dark. Lots of people take advantage of the sea, with plenty of sailing, rowing, kayaking and fishing.

The coastline around Orkney is stunning. Although the weather this far north is very mixed, there’s never a bad day for taking photographs, whether of the land, the sea or the wildlife you find there. On a recent trip to Yesnaby on the west side of Mainland Orkney I spent some time watching and photographing an otter fishing for crabs. He watched me as closely as I was watching him. I’m a pier master in Kirkwall, working for Orkney Marine Services, and have been an RNLI volunteer crew member for 27 years. I recently found out that one of my forebears received the RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry and a gold watch from the Emperor of Germany in the late 19th century, when coxswain of the Longhope lifeboat.

FIND OUT MORE facebook.com/orkneyrowingclub facebook.com/graham.campbell.56829

MARY PIRIE

VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER

Kayaking is one of several ways to enjoy the flora and fauna of Orkney

I live in Stromness, Orkney’s second town, and there is no other place I would rather live. I lost my husband when I was a young mum and my parents wanted me to go back and live near them but there was no way I wanted to leave such a lovely place. I’m 80 now and I love it every bit as much. There is a real community feel here. People are very friendly and most people know one another. I live with my partner Stewart towards the south end of the town in a house on the sea side of the main street. We can see the Hamnavoe (Northlink ferry, so-called from the Norse name of Stromness 'Haven in

The iconic Old Man of Hoy sea stack, loved by photographers and climbers alike

the Bay') coming and going, and the smaller fishing and creel boats. From our pier we look straight towards Scapa Flow, where the German high seas fleet was scuttled shortly after the end of the First World War. Diving on the wrecks is very popular – it attracts a lot of visitors. I just love watching all the activity in the harbour. Stewart and I have 100 years of volunteering for the RNLI between us, Stewart in Longhope, Buckie and Stromness. Stromness was the first Orkney station to have a lifeboat guild, and I have been a fundraising volunteer for more than 40 years. When I started, I had 24 on the committee. Nowadays there is about half that, but people are very willing to help. Many of the shops along the street have RNLI collecting tins and our 'new' shop, in a prime spot at the Pierhead, has been open for 21 years. I thoroughly enjoy chatting to local folk and visitors – we have a popular marina and, when circumstances permit, cruise liner visits. One of my highlights over the years was a fundraising charter on the ferry that took us right around the island of Hoy. The lifeboat is very well supported locally and that trip raised a great sum. FIND OUT MORE mv-valkyrie.co.uk orkney.com/explore/stromness 9

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Resident otters also enjoy the local seafood menu

Orkney has a vibrant sailing community

SCOTT JOHNSTON VOLUNTEER CREW

At midsummer the sky is never fully dark

INSIDER INFO I love where I live because ... '… the feeling of freedom we have helps to make us who we are’ GRAHAM CAMPBELL

VOLUNTEER CREW KIRKWALL LIFEBOAT STATION

'… it attracts a lot of interesting visitors and I love watching all the activity in the harbour’ MARY PIRIE

VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER STROMNESS LIFEBOAT STATION

'… it’s a brilliant place to call home and bring up our three bairns’ SCOTT JOHNSTON

VOLUNTEER CREW LONGHOPE LIFEBOAT STATION

I grew up in Brims, a district in Hoy & Walls, where the Longhope Lifeboat Museum stands. The island is roughly the same length as Manhattan and about twice as wide. Both my parents are from Brims, and my family on both sides goes back many generations here on the island. There were only four other pupils in my year at primary school and even when I was young I knew I wanted to live here. It’s a brilliant place to call home and the community feeling is one of the best things about it. I left when I was 21 to complete an apprenticeship with a construction firm on Mainland Orkney but always planned to come back. My wife Deanna comes from Staffordshire, she works as practice administrator at our doctor’s surgery and is finance officer for the local development trust. Deanna and our three bairns love the place too. The Martello Tower at Hackness near us has now reopened. It’s well-preserved and a great place for a visit. We’re looking forward to the Scapa Flow Museum at Lyness reopening in the summer after its £4.3M refurbishment. I was a volunteer some years ago but had to stop when I was doing my

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

The beautiful village of Stromness

training. When I came back to live, I signed up again. My great-greatgrandfather was Benjamin Stouz, first coxswain 1874–1900. My grandad, great-grandad and grand-uncle were lost in the Longhope Lifeboat Disaster in 1969. I’m really proud of my ancestors in the lifeboat service. FIND OUT MORE orkney.com/life/businesses/listing/ hackness-martello ■ Words: Cameron Stout Photos: Tobias Bjørkli, Graham Campbell, Patrick Fore, Shutterstock.com

Send us your tips for which stretches of coastline you’d like to see on these pages in future by emailing offshore@rnli.org.uk.

HANDS ON

Pip Hare’s diary entry from the 2020 Vendée Globe race (a single-handed-nonstop round-the-world yacht race) offers valuable lessons about adapting at sea

GONE WITH THE WIND 2 JANUARY 2021

Saturday

I'm working my brain way too hard onboard Medallia today, trying to think my way out of a performance-hindering problem with wind data.

A cup is missing off the speed sensor and both the cups and the wand PIP HARE are stuck solid. This is OCE AN RACING SAILOR Mid-morning, I am startled awake by the bad news. pilot crash-gybing the boat. Clambering I have no wind data coming from the top of the mast – and my second wind on deck, I inspect for damage and wand fell off during the first big front re-engage the pilot only for it to dive I encountered 3 days after the start! off into another gybe. A quick check reveals that my wind data is absolute Wind data is crucial to performance. rubbish. I set up to steer to the compass I can sail safely without it by using and wander to the mast to look at my conservative sail setups plus my masthead unit. own observation skills and the

HANDS ON barometer to get a sense of wind strength and direction. But nuanced changes, particularly the analysis of my polars – how well I’m sailing against my theoretical best performance in any given wind conditions – make a difference. Without this data I’ll have to guesstimate. I’m crushed and allow myself a momentary pity party. I’ve been doing so well! In my head, I watch the fleet sail past me as I waddle home on a storm jib. I finish my tea and work through my options. I have an emergency wind wand mounted on the pushpit but it can only be used in conjunction with my spare pilot and that’s not nearly as reliable as my main pilot. I’ll stick with the main pilot driving on compass mode and somehow wrangle the wind data into

REFLECTING ON THIS MOMENT OF THE RACE 'When preparing for any offshore passage it’s important to consider and plan for redundancy, should key items of the boat's equipment fail. In my race this was extreme, I spent 3 months at sea and sailed through some of the world’s most challenging environments. I needed wind data to perform and took two spare wind wands to cover failures. It may have seemed like overkill at the start but I needed them. Next time I will take four, and will have my third wand mounted at masthead. Expect failures to happen, be prepared for the what-ifs and have back up systems ready to get you home safely.' Pip Hare, Ocean Racing Sailor 12

the computer. The rest, I’ll do by feel. I have to try. To install my emergency wind wand, I must also reconfigure the data flow into my navigation software. It’s surprisingly easy; the software senses and configures the new data. However, it then gets complicated: all of my points of reference are coming from a masthead unit 30m above sea level. My new wand is operating just 2m above deck level. I research the difference in wind strength relative to height above sea level and find a rather complicated formula to work it out. It takes half an hour – and remembering how to solve a quadratic equation from my school days – but I get a number that seems about right and alter the calibration of the deck level wand.

HANDS ON Next, I play around with the wind angle offset to improve the accuracy of the data. With these numbers as a baseline, I spend the rest of the day reverse engineering the wind data. Every time the wind increases or wind angle changes I go on deck, look at the sea, the waves and the trim of the sails, and make an evaluation as to whether the data fits what I’m seeing. All day I nudge the wind angle this way and that, change the windspeed coefficient by one or two. Finally, I have something that might be useful. The only downside will be gybing tomorrow, I’ll need to transfer the wand to the other side of the boat and do the whole process again. It's not perfect. Surfing down waves, the wind angle goes completely out as

the apparent wind at deck level is very different to that at the top of the mast. To counter this, I dampen down the wind data and set up my computer to read from averages. I’m going to need to think about reefing, sail changes and performance to suit this new data. But at least I now have a point of relativity to work from. It's far from ideal but I feel better. I have a good feel for Medallia and use this to help me evaluate the accuracy of my data and enable good decisions. I revert to learning mode, get comfortable with my numbers, and stay alert to opportunities where I can, once again, push.

There is still a lot of racing to do.

' Expect failures to happen, be prepared for the what-ifs and have back up systems ready to get you home safely' On Friday 12 February 2021, Pip became the first British skipper to cross the finish line, earning an excellent 19th place. She plans to compete for a second time in 2024. For more advice on safe sailing, visit RNLI.org/sailing ■

Words: Pip Hare, Anna Burn Photos: AJPmedia, Ocean Images

SHARE YOUR STORY

Offshore is a community to share our experiences and broaden our horizons. Do you have a story you can share about ways you're advancing a watersport, or about a time things went wrong on the water? If so, please email offshore@rnli.org.uk. 13

HOW TO: STAND UP ON A SURFBOARD More than 250,000 people surf in UK and Irish waters every year. With so many great surf spots around the coasts, summertime is a great time to step out on a wave

Surfer and RNLI Lifeguard Annie Jagoe surfs in all seasons 14

You may be thinking: 'There’s absolutely no way I could stand up on a surfboard' – and it’s true that some falling off will be involved but, with the right advice, mindset and tenacity, you’ll surprise yourself. RNLI Portstewart Lifeguard Annie Jagoe is a surfing instructor and has experienced catching the bug herself. She said to Stylist magazine: 'After work lately, I’ll go surfing. I bring my board and my wetsuit in the car and jump straight into it once I’m finished for the day. My friend, who’s also a lifeguard, usually joins me and we end up staying out way too late. It’s always, "One more wave!".’ Whatever your level of experience, before you hit the surf, here are 10 simple safety checks: • Go to a lifeguarded beach. • Always surf between the black and white chequered flags. Follow lifeguard advice. • Surf with a mate, especially in a big swell. • Tell someone when and where you are going out and – importantly – when you expect to be back. • Check weather and tides before you set out. Plan with the local forecast for wind, swell and tide. • Know your limits. Don’t challenge yourself too early, it’s easy to be caught out. • Be aware of rip currents. Get advice on their location from an RNLI lifeguard. • Always wear a leash. So you won’t be separated from your board. • Wear an appropriate wetsuit for surfing. As well as retaining warmth, it’s added protection against scrapes or impacts. • Understand surf etiquette and rights of way. Consider other water users. Read the basic tips in our free guide on RNLI.org/surfing. Surf’s up, enjoy!

RNLI LIFEGUARD AND SURF INSTRUCTOR ANNIE JAGOE WALKS YOU THROUGH STANDING UP ON A SURFBOARD IN THE WHITE WATER

1. CHOOSE YOUR WAVE AND PADDLE, PADDLE, PADDLE When you think you’ve paddled enough, make 3–4 more strokes. You need to be moving with the exact same speed as your wave – too slow and you’ll watch it pass beneath you!

2. CHICKEN WINGS! Bring your hands out of the water and feel the wave continuing to move you. Now place them flat on the board, just narrower than your shoulders – picture them as chicken wings! Leave enough space between them for a foot.

3. THINK OF THE COBRA Push with your hands so that your back arches (think of a less severe arc than the cobra position in yoga). Keep your head and shoulders up and facing forward. Always face in your direction of travel.

4. POP UP Now push up and jump your feet into position in one swift movement: your front foot comes between your hands at a 45° angle, your back foot faces across the board at 90°. The movement is a bit like a burpee with a twist.

5. FEEL FOR BALANCE Beginners often get excited now and stand up too quickly. First, keep the tips of your fingers on the board while you feel for balance through your feet. This also deters you from leaning too far forwards or backwards, tilting the board.

6. THEN STAND Stand up, and keep your arms down, your lower body is doing most of the balancing work. Don’t straighten your legs – keep your knees in a half-squat position so you can adapt to the board’s movements.

7. JUMP OFF When you’re experienced, you’ll learn to lie back down on the board. For now, jump off when you’re ready! Be careful in the shallows, keep a safe distance from your board, and protect your head with your arms like on an airplane safety card. For more advice on safe surfing, visit RNLI.org/surfing. ■

Words: Annie Jagoe and Anna Burn Photos: RNLI/Ashton Milton, Andy Hill (Troggs Surf Shop) 15

WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT? SCENARIO

DO YOU

You’re going for a walk along the beach when your foot sinks into the wet ground. You’re suddenly knee-deep in the sand and can’t break free. Stuck in the mud. What do you do next?

Try as hard and fast as you can to pull yourself free?

Wait for the mud to dry and then break yourself free?

Call 999 or 112 and ask the coastguard for help?

EXPERT ANSWER

LIAM MCDERMOTT

HELM AT WESTON-SUPER-MARE LIFEBOAT STATION

PEOPLE

AIDED

EACH DAY

ON AVERAGE BY

LIFEBOAT VOLUNTEERS (DATA FROM 2021)

If you can do so safely, sit down and try to spread your weight out evenly

WALKER RESCUED FROM THE MUD A man out for a walk with his dog became trapped trying to save his pet from the mud. As often happens, the dog was able to get free by itself and ran to safety. Meanwhile, members of the public had alerted the Coastguard, and Cleethorpes lifeboat crew were soon on scene. Not wanting to get trapped themselves, they got down on their hands and knees to crawl to the casualty, allowing them to spread their weight. Working with a local Coastguard rescue team, the lifeboat crew were able to dig the casualty out of his predicament using their hands.

The casualty was soon back on a firmer footing, while the lifeboat crew were able to return to station for a muchneeded wash down! RNLI Launch Authority Steve Austin is all too familiar with the dangers of the mud and tides in Cleethorpes: 'This area of the beach is particularly dangerous with patches of deep mud and a fastincoming tide. Within half an hour of the rescue, water in that area was a metre deep.' ■ FIND OUT MORE

For more advice on how you can stay safe at the coast, visit RNLI.org/KnowTheRisks OS/06/22

Photos: RNLI/(Cleethorpes, Nathan Williams)

First of all, you should call 999 or 112 and ask the coastguard for help (C). If you become stuck in the mud at the coast, there's a very real danger that a rising tide will leave you underwater. So you should immediately call for help. A location app can help them pinpoint where you are. What you mustn't do is panic and try to struggle your way out (A) – this will only make you sink further. If you can do so safely, sit down and spread your weight out evenly. This should help keep you from sinking further. You can also look for something like a piece of wood or a bag with a large surface area, as it won’t sink if sat on. And you need to make yourself visible to rescuers. If the coastguard team or lifeboat crew can’t see you, then they can’t help you get out.