A PADDLEBOARDER needed to be rescued from the sea after she ended up more than a mile from where she had started. 

RNLI crews were called to help the woman, who they say was well-prepared, fully kitted with a means of calling help, after she was blown 1.2 miles off course. 

Volunteers from Swanage Coastguard took the lifeboat to help the casualty back ashore to Knoll Beach on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 23. 

Volunteer helm Steve Porter said: “It was quite an easy mistake to make with deceptive weather, the cliffs and land were shielding the bay, but once you were clear of that shelter, conditions were ‘quite’ choppy.  

Bournemouth Echo: Paddleboarder gets into trouble.Paddleboarder gets into trouble. (Image: RNLI)

“Thank you to the diligent members of the public, for calling their concerns in and we would reiterate that if you find yourself in an emergency or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.” 

Yesterday, the Environemnt Agency issued a flood alert for Poole Bay, Studland Bay, Sandbanks, Poole Harbour and Swanage.   

Unsettled weather caused spray to overtop defences. The wind was gusting westerly and blew the paddleboarder off course. 

The Environment Agnecy said: “Stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”