KITESURFERS had to be rescued by Poole's lifeboat crew yesterday after being knocked off their boards by a fierce gust of wind.

The RNLI launched an inshore lifeboat from Poole just after 5pm after a member of the public raised the alarm when they had spotted two kitesurfers struggling in the water between Durley Chine and Bournemouth Pier.

A spokesperson for the Poole lifeboat station said: “The lifeboat was on the scene in nine minutes and they had found the first kitesurfer on the beach. He had managed to make it ashore and was safe.

“While the crew checked him out, he was able to inform them where the second person was and they located him in the water some 200 to 300 metres west of Bournemouth Pier.

“The lifeboat proceeded to the casualty and recovered him and his equipment on board the lifeboat and took him safely ashore at Durley Chine.

“The crew checked that the person was okay. He was very cold and exhausted but did not need any first aid.”

The spokesperson said although there had been a slight swell near to the shore before the incident, the wind was south westerly and visibility had been good. However, conditions deteriorated out in the bay when a squall blew through, knocking the kitesurfers off their boards.

Both kitesurfers are now safe and well and the lifeboat was back at the station and ready for service by 6pm.