A KITESURFER who swam back out to look for his board and climbed a navigation light pole for a better look has been given some words of “advice” by RNLI volunteers who were called out to check on his wellbeing.

Burnham-on-Sea D Class lifeboat launched after the kitesurfer was reported to be in difficulties off Burnham-on-Sea beach on Bank Holiday Monday.

The RNLI volunteers were paged at 1.11pm on Bank Holiday Monday and the D class lifeboat Puffin was speedily launched.

A spokesman said that the lifeboat crew immediately spotted the kite-surfer, in the act of climbing the Burnham Jetty navigation light pole. The lifeboat crew approached the beacon, and asked what he was doing.

The spokesman added: “Apparently, he had become detached from his board after the kite lines became tangled.

“He had deposited the kite safely ashore, before swimming back out to find his board. He had climbed the pole to gain extra height, to assist the search for the board.

“The volunteers requested that he descend, giving appropriate safety advice, whereupon he re-entered the water, was assisted into the lifeboat, and delivered safely to the shoreline.

"His kitesurfing board was also located and brought to the shore.

The lifeboat was recovered by the shore team, and returned to the lifeboat station ready for the next shout Burnham volunteer lifeboat press officer Mike Lang said; "Our volunteers were glad to help, but it is not a good idea to climb navigation marks, in case of accidental damage, which can adversely affect other water users. He had also placed himself at risk by his action."