A SURFER who got caught in an offshore wind while surfing off Inchydoney Beach in Clonakilty Bay was rescued by members of Courtmacsherry RNLI on Sunday.

The Courtmacsherry RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘Val Adnams’ was called out at 1.30pm  to go to the immediate aid of three surfers who sought assistance in a rolling swell off Inchydoney beach in Clonakilty Bay.

The lifeboat under coxswain Peter Nunan and a crew of five launched quickly and reached the area at 2pm to commence an immediate search.‘Two of the surfers had got to the safety of the shore themselves but the third surfer had got caught in the offshore wind in a strong four metre wave swell,’ said Lifeboat operations manager Brian O Dwyer. ‘The causality who was suffering from cramp was quickly located by the lifeboat and taken from the sea and was assessed on board  by the trained causality care crew members.’

The lifeboat then returned to Courtmacsherry and the rescued person was taken to the Station House to be further assessed and to receive a change of clothes. ‘Great credit is due to those on the shore today who immediately called for help when required by dialling 999 or 112 and asking for the Coast Guard,’ added Brian.

All three surfers were delighted to be reunited in the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Station House at 5.30pm after an eventful afternoon.

The crew on Sunday’s callout were coxswain Peter Nunan, Mechanic Tadgh McCarthy and crew Denis Murphy, Dave Philips, Luke Hanley and Paul McCarthy.