Porthcawl, Wales – On Wednesday 10 September 2025, Porthcawl RNLI launched to rescue a surfer caught in a powerful rip current at Rest Bay after a passerby raised the alarm to the Coastguard.

The surfer, 30-year-old Ben Fraser, has been surfing for 15 years. “I’ve only surfed a handful of times at Rest Bay so I’m not very familiar with the strength of the rips, especially at different states of the tide and in choppy swell. When I realised I was being pulled quite far out, I still thought I might be able to paddle myself out of the rip current.”

Fraser drifted south toward Hutchwns Point and tried to reach rocks before deciding it was too dangerous and staying with his board. “I attempted to get onto the rocks at the cliffs, but soon realised it was too dangerous and I was better off staying away from the cliffs with my surfboard. I noticed a dog walker on the coast path and thought I should probably take this opportunity to signal for help.”

A dog walker called 999, and volunteer Helm Gareth Collins launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires with crew members Chris Page, Tom Ruddy and Alun Jenkins to Fraser’s approximate position.

“We were already at the lifeboat station for a classroom training session when the pagers went off at 7.32pm. We launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Rose of the Shires within minutes and made our way to Ben’s approximate location.

“Despite the strong winds gusting to force 7/8 and rough seas, we were able to get on scene quickly and soon spotted Ben off Hutchwns Point.

“I manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside and the crew pulled him on board. Thankfully he was in good spirits and otherwise unharmed.

“The strong lateral current at Rest Bay on the incoming tide is very powerful and had caused Ben to drift over half a mile from the main bay.

“We have the second largest tidal range in the world in the Bristol Channel and bigger spring tides and larger swell increase the strength of the currents.

“Ben did the right thing by not attempting again to get onto the rocks when he realised the danger. Instead he stayed calm and remained with his board. This allowed him to assess the situation and signal for help when he spotted the dog walker.”

Fraser thanked the dog walker and the crew. “Although I felt pretty calm, I knew I couldn’t get back to the beach myself and that the light was fading fast, which might have made it harder for people to spot me or for the lifeboat to find me.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the lady that saw me wave and called 999 for the Coastguard, her quick thinking meant the lifeboat reached me before it was dark.

“Thank you also to the volunteer lifeboat crew. Thankfully in my years of surfing and swimming I’ve never needed to call on them until that day. And although I was pretty apologetic once the crew pulled me into the lifeboat, they were really warm and kind – just checking that I was OK.”

Gareth added: “We rescue people without judgement and this rescue proves that even those with experience in the water might need our help one day. We are delighted that Ben was unharmed and we wish him a great autumn and winter enjoying the surf.”

RNLI patrols have now ended on most beaches across Wales and the UK. Beachgoers are urged to read local safety signs, never go alone, check tides and weather, wear an appropriate wetsuit and always use a leash. In an emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

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