10 April 2013 

 National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) volunteers at Stepper Point today helped to rescue two kite surfers.

The eagle-eyed watchkeepers spotted a surfer who had fallen from his board and appeared to be struggling, and then saw another in greater danger.

As the volunteers watched the surfer reach safety on Hawkers Beach, the coastguard telephoned to say that a member of public had reported that a surfer was in trouble in the estuary.

Watchkeeper Martin Bishop explained: "The watchkeepers were able to assure the coastguards that the surfer was now on dry land at Hawkers Cove, but informed them that his surfboard was still in the middle of the estuary and it would be a hazard to other vessels.

 "The coastguard had already launched the Rock inshore lifeboat and immediately directed it to retrieve the surfboard and then take the surfer from Hawkers Cove back to Daymer Beach.

"While this incident was going on, the NCI watchkeepers saw akite surfer off Stepper Point in even more serious trouble. He had fallen from his surfboard but was still attached to his kite and was being dragged out to sea by the wind, towards Newland Island.

"The watchkeepers immediately informed the coastguard of this ongoing incident and the position of the surfer in trouble. They then directed the Rock lifeboat, which had, by now, rescued the first surfer, to go further out to sea towards Newland Island where, under direction from the NCI watchkeepers, the lifeboat crew was able to find and rescue the surfer.

"The watchkeepers on duty on Sunday afternoon did a first-rate job and proved, once again, the value of the NCI to the local community."