Kayaker Rescued After Drifting Out to Sea from Portreath

Emergency call-out sparked as inflatable kayak drifts along Cornish coast

A kayaker was rescued near Sally’s Bottom on Friday evening after being blown out to sea in worsening conditions, prompting a multi-agency response from local lifeboat crews and coastguard teams.

The alarm was raised at 7.45pm on 27th June 2025, when HM Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team was tasked to reports of a lone kayaker who had launched from Portreath Harbour in an inflatable kayak, despite strong offshore winds and deteriorating weather.

According to the coastguard, a “quick-thinking” first informant spotted the individual struggling shortly after launching and being pushed away from the coast. The kayaker had no visible safety equipment, which led to emergency services being alerted.

Help declined before drifting further

Two members of Portreath Surf Life Saving Club offered assistance, but their help was declined by the kayaker. Due to the increasing risk and worsening sea conditions, both St Agnes Inshore Lifeboat and St Ives All-Weather Lifeboat were deployed.

Members of the Portreath Coastguard team tracked the kayaker from the cliff top, helping guide lifeboat crews to the exact location. The individual had drifted significantly by the time they were spotted near Sally’s Bottom.

After some time and persuasion, the kayaker was safely recovered to a lifeboat and returned to Portreath Harbour, where they were met by the coastguard and local police. A welfare check was carried out, along with a discussion about safety at sea.

Coastguard shares safety advice

The team later shared a reminder about key kayaking safety measures:

• Always check weather and sea conditions before heading out. Offshore winds can quickly push you out of reach.
• Never kayak alone. Always tell someone your plan and expected return time.
• Wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket.
• Carry a way to call for help, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof case or a VHF radio.
• Avoid using inflatable kayaks in open water unless you’re experienced and conditions are calm.

The coastguard thanked the first informant and rescue services for their swift response, adding that “the situation could have ended very differently”.

If you see someone in difficulty along the coast or at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.