Charity, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on August 18th, 2025 | return to news

Dorset lifeboats issue advice to summer paddleboarders

Both Poole and Mudeford RNLI crews had to help several paddleboarders in distress over the past weekend.

Stand up paddleboarding is a popular pastime in the summer months, but after lifeboat teams across Dorset had to help several paddleboarders in distress over the past weekend, they have issued a reminder to hobbyists to check conditions before venturing into the water.

At 1.30pm on Saturday 16 August, Poole RNLI launched its D class vessel to help three people on one paddleboard who had been being blown offshore from the area of Whitley Lake near Sandbanks.

A vessel from Poole Harbour Commissioners picked up the man and two children, who were extremely cold. Meanwhile, the Poole RNLI crew helped a woman who had attempted to swim out to the distressed paddleboarders. The D class then returned the three paddleboarders ashore from the harbour patrol vessel.

The D class was then tasked to two further paddleboarders near Salterns who had been picked up by another patrol vessel but had then since re entered the water. These two were located and observed until safely ashore.

On the same day, Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew launched into the water to help search for a missing girl, who was later found ashore.

At 2.21pm, the crew were re-tasked to Christchurch Harbour where two paddleboarders were reported to be in difficulty with the wind blowing them out to sea. Arriving on scene, the crew established that the two casualties were still in the harbour and did not require any further assistance.

Later in the afternoon, the Mudeford RNLI crew went to the assistance of two teenagers on a paddleboard who had been blown offshore. The lifeboat took the two casualties closer to shore in proximity of the lifeguard tower.

On the afternoon of Sunday 17 August, the Mudeford RNLI crew were given another task to locate a paddleboarder reported to be in distress. After an extensive search no casualty could be located.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer Launch Authority, Simon Challis, said: “This is a busy time of year on our shores. We would advise anyone going in or near the water to always find out about the local weather and tide conditions.

“Offshore winds, can easily blow a paddleboarder out to sea and whatever your activity on the water always wear an appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid.”

For more information on how to stay safe, visit www.rnli.org/safety.