LIFEBOAT officials are urging kayakers to check tide and weather conditions carefull before setting out after RNLI Minehead rescued two kayakers on July 26.

The two men in their forties had paddled out from the beach at Minehead and were only 200 yards out to sea when they found themselves struggling against a strong south-easterly wind as they tried to get back to shore.

One of the men had fallen in the water and so they were extremely grateful to see Minehead's D-class lifeboat crew who rapidly brought them ashore where the men were treated for the effects of cold.

Minehead RNLI spokesman Chris Rundle said: "One of the men had done some kayaking before, though not for some time, but what they hadn't appreciated when they set out was the force and direction of the wind."

Somerset County Gazette:

The two men that got into trouble of Minehead. Picture RNLI

The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world and the currents can get up to 3mph.

"This may not sound like a lot," he said. "But it means a kayaker needs to be paddling at three miles an hour just to stay in the same place and paddle even faster if they want to get back to shore."

Kayaking has grown in popularity in recent years and this has inevitably led to more rescue incidents for the RNLI to deal with.

Mr Rundle said that while their crews are specially trained for these incidents, the RNLI favoured prevention over intervention.

Mr Rundle continued:"Our advice would always be to check the tide times and the wind very carefully before setting out, to make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing and a lifejacket, take a mobile phone, and above all not to put yourself in a position where returning safely to shore is beyond your physical ability."

Mr Rundle said that kayaks were an ideal - and inexpensive - way of enjoying the coastline but in the end kayakers rely entirely on the strength of their own arms to propel themselves back to shore.