Lifeguards on duty at Boardmasters Festival this weekend have already been busy ahead of the event - pulling a number of people to safety from the water at beaches in . Newquay Coastguard Search & Rescue shared a post on their page this morning (Friday) confirming a number of rescue missions that were carried out on Thursday evening on the beaches at Porth, Watergate, and Mawgan Porth, between 6.30pm and 7.
30pm. The post read: "Yesterday evening at 1830hrs Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to Porth , alongside Newquay RNLI Lifeboats, to assist lifeguards with 4 persons in difficulty in the water. All were safely retrieved by the lifeguards.
"The team were tasked shortly afterwards at 1859hrs alongside St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat, Newquay Lifeboat, and Boardmasters lifeguards, to reports of 5 persons in difficulty in the water at Watergate Beach. All were safely assisted out by the lifeguards. "Following this incident, at 1930hrs, the team were tasked again alongside Newquay Lifeboat to Mawgan Porth, following a 999 call reporting two persons in difficulty in the water.
The lifeboat crew were able to talk to the two and clarified that they did not require any assistance. This was a well-intended false alarm." The beaches at Porth and Watergate have extended lifeguard cover this weekend, provided by Boardmasters lifeguards, while the festival is on - but Newquay Search and Rescue reminded festival-goers and others in the area to "always swim at a lifeguarded beach".
The team added: "Can we also take the opportunity to remind festival-goers not to attempt to walk along the beach between Watergate & Porth, as you run the risk of getting cut off by the incoming tide, with unstable cliffs posing an additional hazard. If you see someone in difficulty along the coast, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. Have a great festival.
Stay safe." A spokesperson for Boardmasters Festival said: "Boardmasters would like to ensure all festival goers are mindful when visiting the nearby beaches. "Whilst the festival encourages everyone to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, it is essential that festival-goers pay close attention to flags, lifeguards, tide times, and never sit directly beneath the cliffs.
If you need help, call 999 or 112 for the coastguard. Access to Watergate Bay beach will close 2 hours before high tide.".
