Terrified paddleboarder, 27, is rescued by coastguard after she was blown over mile out to sea in strong winds off North Wales coast
- Zoe Williams, 27, got into trouble near Trefor on the Llyn Peninsula, North Wales
- She had been carrying her mobile phone and was able to call the coastguard
- But Zoe is now warning others to be prepared after her ‘scary’ experience
A terrified beachgoer needed to be rescued by a lifeboat after she drifted out to sea while paddleboarding.
Zoe Williams, 27, got into trouble at the beauty spot beach near Trefor on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales.
She had been carrying her mobile phone at the time and was able to call the coastguard for help but is now warning other boarders to be prepared after her ‘scary’ experience.
Zoe Williams, 27, had to be rescued by a lifeboat after she drifted out to sea while paddleboarding
Speaking about her experience, Zoe said: ‘No matter how hard I paddled, the wind was against me and I was being blown out to sea.
‘I was blown out very quickly and had to make a decision on the spot – either I come off the paddleboard and swim to shore, or let it take me and phone for help.
‘I felt so afraid – how quickly things turned, how quickly the weather turned. The sea was completely still when we set out.’
Zoe, from Pwllheli, decided to stop paddling and instead took her mobile phone from a waterproof pouch and called for help.
She spoke to coastguards who kept her calm while she waited for an RNLI lifeboat to take her back to dry land.
She spoke to coastguards who kept her calm while she waited for an RNLI lifeboat to take her back to dry land
Zoe, from Pwllheli, wanted to speak out to help make other paddleboarders aware of the dangers
Zoe wanted to speak out to help make other paddleboarders aware of the dangers.
She said: ‘That’s why I’m sharing my story, really – to raise awareness of the importance of preparing and taking a phone with you.
‘Waterproof pouches are available free from the RNLI and for next to nothing online.
‘Also, it’s about the importance of buoyancy aids. I know they don’t look great, and they aren’t cool, but they’re so important.
Mali Parry-Jones of RNLI Porthdinllaen said it was important for paddleboarders to have a mobile phone and wear a life jacket. Pictured: Zoe (centre) alongside members of the RNLI who came to her rescue
‘They can save lives and I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t prepared and taken those things with me.’
Mali Parry-Jones of RNLI Porthdinllaen said it was important for paddleboarders to have a mobile phone and wear a life jacket.
She said: ‘Also ensure that you wear the leash around the ankle to ensure that you and the board aren’t separated, because it’s so important to stay on the board if you get into trouble,’
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