Triathletes’ heroic actions saved women’s life
The heroic actions of champion triathlete, Noah Canby, have saved a woman’s life after she became trapped by the rising tide on a small beach at Birling Gap, Eastbourne!
After a call for help, three surfers (including Noah) went out to assist. The lady was trapped on a small beach and the dangerous swell made it impossible to move her without help from the RNLI. The surfers made the decision to wait on the beach for the inshore lifeboat, but were fully aware that it wouldn’t be able to come close to the beach due to rocks and a big shore-break.
After around 25 minutes, the rib lifeboat appeared.
British Junior Triathlon Champion Noah Canby talks
Triathlon with the TriNation Podcast team
According to one of the surfers on the scene, Noah jumped in, paddled out to the rib, retrieved a lifejacket and went back to the lady. By this time, he was holding the lady up against the surge. After placing the lifejacket on her and inflating it, they then committed to go to the rib but the wave surge took them off.
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The three surfers managed to swim her out in very difficult conditions with waves of 8ft breaking over their heads. The rib was now trying to reverse towards them to get to the lady faster. Unfortunately, as they watched, the lifeboat was hit by a large set of waves which turned it over and sent it crashing onto the beach. The boat could no longer be used to rescue the lady.
The lifeboat crew managed to swim through the waves and wait to be picked up. One got out in reasonable time but two others had some trouble and also had to be rescued.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution safety tips for cold water dips
Noah and a fellow surfer got the lady on top of two surfboards and waited 15 to 20 minutes for the rescue helicopter which had been scrambled by the RNLI. The surfers paddled themselves back to Birling Gap beach.
As a result of this, Noah’s brand-new surfboard was smashed on the rocks. A donation page has been set up to replace Noah’s board and to raise funds for the RNLI at the same time. Any donations can be made here
