THE sunny spell may be over, but beaches are still as busy as ever in Bude.

Crackington, the area’s most southern beach, had its first rescue of the year last week. First year lifeguard Rhys rescued a young child who drifted out of their depth at low tide. Rhys was already on board patrol in the sea so was able to quickly bring them back to the safety of the beach.

This season Black Rock lifeguards have seen a large increase in visitor numbers due to it being one of the sandiest beaches at high tide. Last week a report came in that there was a missing person last seen in a cove north of Widemouth. Black Rock senior Richie and Widemouth lifeguard James launched the IRB (inshore rescue boat) to carry out a shoreline search from the water. With no sighting of the missing person, Bude Lifeboat was requested to help with the search outside as it was outside of their operational areas. An hour and a half after the initial report, the missing person was found safe and well by a lifeguard on roaming patrol.

Widemouth beach has been busy as ever. Lifeguard Ben rescued a young child and their parent who had drifted out on their bodyboard beyond the breaking waves. They had taken their feet off the floor and began to drift. Ben was able to paddle the rescue board out through the dumping waves and bring the young child and their parent safely back to the beach.

Summerleaze has seen the highest visitor numbers recorded in years. At 6.05pm, lifeguard Rory was locking up the lifeguard hut when a large wave washed over the sea pool knocking a parent and their two children into the sea. They were struggling to stay afloat but luckily Rory had spotted them and jumped in the sea with a rescue tube. He was able to swim all three of them back to the sea pool steps.

Crooklets lifeguards have been kept on their toes. On Tuesday, lifeguards Tremaine and Ben were at low tide when a flash rip took ten of their bathers out of their depth and into a dangerous area of water. They put in a call to Summerleaze lifeguards who came and covered the red and yellow flags whilst Tremaine and Ben brought all ten bathers back to the sand.

Northcott beach has seen some very strong rips at low tide. First year lifeguard Josh successfully carried out his first rescue. A child went snorkelling and took their feet off the floor, causing them to get caught in the rip current, which took them out of their depth. Josh reacted quickly and picked up the child on a rescue board.

Sandymouth lifeguards have been busy both in the water and on the beach. They assisted an elderly person with breathing difficulties after a suspected seizure. Lifeguards James and Alfie treated the patient with oxygen and provided plenty of reassurance. They were able to bring the breathing back to a safe rate before handing over to the paramedics.

Monday, August 27 is Bude Lifeboat Day. Eight of the lifeguards will be assisting the lifeboat crew in the water rescue demonstration. The lifeguards and lifeboat crew will be in the water from 11am at Summerleaze beach with the rescue water craft and IRB, showing the public how they carry out their rescues and how they very often work together.