Paddleboarders rescued after being swept out to sea near Altea

Beach safety officials leaped into action on Monday, August 17 after two young men were trapped adrift while paddleboarding in the Morro del Toix area between Calpe and Altea. The two young men had set out to sea at dawn, but the rough condition of the sea swept them out, and they were unable to return on their own.

Dawn trip turns dangerous: Emergency call triggers swift rescue

Thanks to a mobile phone the young men had been carrying, they were successfully able to contact emergency services. When word reached them of the incident, Red Cross Maritime Rescue personnel quickly intervened and located the two young men, rescuing them from the dangerous waters.

The Red Cross personnel took the young men to the nearby Marina Greenwich port in the town of Altea, where they landed safe and sound, without injury.

Essential safety precautions for paddleboarders

As highlighted by the incident, when wind and sea conditions change, paddle boarding can quickly become a risky game. The paddleboarders are often involuntarily swept out to sea, far from the coast, and are unable to return if the currents are strong or the weather suddenly becomes rough.

The Red Cross has taken the opportunity to remind paddleboarders of the importance of checking the weather forecast and sea conditions before setting off. Important safety tips including wearing a life jacket, having a charged mobile phone with you in case something happens, and remaining hydrated should also be kept in mind before paddleboarding on any beach.

Paddleboarders should also inform family and friends of their whereabouts before they participate in the sport, as well as their approximate return time. Yellow flags on the beach, which indicate caution due to sea conditions, and red flags, which indicate a beach closed off to swimmers altogether, should be respected, or swimmers can face dangerous waters and even fines when they return to shore.