El Portil, Spain – A kayaker was dramatically rescued by the Guardia Civil after being swept away by strong waves off the coast of El Portil in Huelva on Sunday, March 30. The powerful currents pulled him off his kayak, leaving him adrift and unable to climb back onto his vessel.

The incident turned into a frightening ordeal but ended safely thanks to the Guardia Civil’s swift response. The rescue took place near Playa del Portil. After over an hour clinging to his kayak in the water, the man was spotted by the Maritime Group Canarias aboard the Rio Segura, a vessel currently reinforcing coastal patrols in Huelva province.

The kayaker managed to call the 112 emergency service using his mobile phone, which miraculously stayed dry. Although he couldn’t provide GPS coordinates, he gave visual positioning details. The Guardia Civil launched a challenging search, hampered by the kayak’s small size and rough seas reducing visibility.

After more than an hour in the water, with the risk of being swept further out to sea, the kayaker was found in good health but visibly exhausted. Onboard the Rio Segura, he received hot drinks and energy food. A nurse on the large Guardia Civil vessel also assessed his condition.

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