Paddleboarders Rescued From Cliffside After Capsizing Near Freshwater Bay

Two paddleboarders have been rescued after becoming stranded on a rocky stretch of coastline near Freshwater Bay.

The pair ended up trapped on a small section of beach inside a cave to the east of the bay after their paddleboards capsized yesterday afternoon (Friday).

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat was called to the incident at 12.23pm, with its crew launching just five minutes later.

The lifeboat team began searching for the paddleboarders, but high tide and heavy surf meant it was unable to get close enough to the shoreline to carry out the rescue.

Teams from Needles and Ventnor Coastguard were subsequently called to assist.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat crew member Jack entered the water and swam along the coastline, eventually locating the two people after they had proved difficult to spot from both land and sea.

He reached the pair and provided assistance while the rescue operation was coordinated.

Given the remote location and steep cliffs, the Coastguard teams carried out a technical cliff rescue.

A mechanical pulley and winch system was installed to allow the paddleboarders to be lifted from the rocky shoreline up the vertical cliff face.

Both were successfully brought to safety and are said to be well.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat described the response as "possibly our quickest launch turnaround to date", after being paged at 12.23pm and getting on the water five minutes later.

The lifeboat said the incident was a "great example of teamwork" between the emergency crews involved.