Two young men in distress against strong offshore winds get safely back to shore

NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Table Bay duty crews were activated Sunday following eyewitness reports of 2 young males appearing to be in distress offshore of Cosy Bay Beach, Oudekraal.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded while NSRI Bakoven duty crew responded to the NSRI Bakoven station 2 rescue base to prepare to launch the NSRI rescue craft Gemini Legend.

On arrival at n the scene NSRI rescue swimmers monitored the 2 young men, on a single SUP (stand-up paddle board) - they were attempting to paddle back to shore from about half a nautical mile offshore.

The 2 young men, one from Hout Bay and one Tamboerskloof were able to reach the shore safely without assistance.

NSRI medics checked on them finding them exhausted. They reported that they had launched earlier and got out to sea quite quickly in the offshore wind but when they turned around to paddle back they struggled against the wind.

They had lost their cellphones and car keys while making their way back to shore against the wind but eventually they made it back safely.

They were relieved to hear that NSRI were responding as they admit that this was a close call.

NSRI stayed with them until family arrived to collect them and they required no further assistance.

NSRI commend the eyewitness for raising the alarm and for assisting to monitor the teenagers progress until NSRI arrived on the scene.