A surf champion beat coastguards to the rescue of a swimmer caught in a dangerous rip tide off Gower.
The Burry Port lifeboat was launched on Tuesday evening, and a helicopter scrambled after two swimmers got into difficulty on Llangennith.
One managed to get themselves to shore, but the other was aided by men’s UK champion Pat Langdon-Dark, with friend Callum Thomas, who had been surfing nearby.
Olympic hopeful Pat, aged 20, said: “The beach is usually very safe, but there have been a few storms lately, which cuts up the beach, and creates sandbanks, which can lead to rips.
“We saw boys waving from the dunes, trying to shout to us.
“I went straight away and paddled across, I could see this guy struggling.
“He looked like he was panicking, and he was shouting for help, and swallowing water."
He added: “My board was quite small, but I got him on it and lined up behind him and lay on top of him.
“There was a coastguard boat in the water and a helicopter overhead, but I managed to get him ashore”.
The two casualties were ashore by the time the coastguard helicopter landed, and needed examination to ensure they didn’t suffer from secondary drowning.
Both were ultimately uninjured.
How to stay safe in the sea:
Rip tides are an area of water which can sweep swimmers out to sea. They can be very strong and tire swimmers out if they attempt to swim against it.
A spokesman for Rhossili coastguard added: “Llangennith is usually a very safe beach, but rip tides can occur everywhere.
“Due to recent storms there has been a lot of movement of sand, which can make big sand banks and create rip currents. It can happen on any beach."
He added: “We want to remind people that it’s easy to get caught out by the sea – even if you are an experienced swimmer. We urge people not to swim alone and keep a close eye on friends and family, both at the beach and in the water.
“Make sure you are always contactable at the coast by carrying a fully-charged mobile phone and if you get into trouble or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
