RNLI lifeguards from Crantock beach near Newquay will appear on our screens next week when their rescue of two kayakers in difficulty is featured on the BBC’s documentary series Saving Lives at Sea.

The long running BBC series, now in its tenth series since launching in 2016, follows the ordinary men and women who volunteer with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), risking their lives every day to save others who are in danger.

With bases across Britain the RNLI are prepared to attend rescue calls around the clock and in any weather condition. Operating for more than 150 years, the organisation has saved over 140,000 people from life-threatening situations out at sea.

During the winter months the elements become treacherous posing more risks to people venturing in the harsh waters, in turn increasing the number of challenging rescue missions for the brave volunteers.

In the episode featuring the crews from Newquay RNLI, airing on BBC 1 on Wednesday, August 27 at 8pm, highlights how lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews worked together to save two people who had got into trouble while kayaking off West Pentire Headland in July 2024.

RNLI lifeguard Elenie Shotton and senior lifeguard Harry Reed spotted two people who appeared to be stuck on Goose Rock, a large crop of rocks situated about a mile off from the beach. They quickly launched their Rescue Water Craft (RWC), also contacting Falmouth Coastguard who requested the support of Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers.

When the lifeguards arrived, one casualty was on an inflatable kayak, while the other was in the water next to the rocks, trying to swim back towards the kayak. In trying to get back into the kayak, it capsized, leaving both casualties struggling in the difficult conditions.

The RNLI lifeguards worked with Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers to rescue the casualties from the water and successfully transport them back to safety.

Lewis Timson the RNLI lead lifeguard supervisor for Newquay spoke of his pride that BBC viewers would get to see the Newquay crews in action as part of the episode.

He added: “This rescue is a great example of teamwork between our lifeguards and lifeboat crews. Conditions at any beach can become dangerous, and without such a quick and coordinated response to this incident at Crantock, the outcome could have been very different.

“We are thrilled that viewers will get to see the professionalism and dedication of our teams in action”’

The latest series of Saving Lives at Sea continues to share with audiences the real RNLI rescues from around the United Kingdom and Ireland, told through the real accounts of RNLI lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews. From dramatic rescues far out at sea to everyday incidents on the coast, the programme offers unique insight into the lifesaving work of the charity.

This rescue will be featured in the episode broadcast on Wednesday, August 27, at 8pm, and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.