A viral TikTok video has been blasted as “reckless” after a vlogger took a paddleboard solo on a 20-mile round trip to a UK wind farm.
Jude Somers has racked up over 19 million views on the social media platform of his trip to the Rampion Offshore Windfarm, without use of a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
In the videos, he brags that he travelled “more than the distance of the English channel”, telling viewers that he was “beaten” with exhaustion after seven hours at sea.
Andy Gratwick, head coach at the British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUP), said it was “luck” that Mr Somers didn’t find himself in distress in the water.
He said: “This kind of behaviour has led to a number of fatalities within paddleboarding.
“It’s absolutely a country mile away from anything we would endorse anybody does in the water ever. It’s really quite worrying I would say.
“I spent six hours in RNLI water safety meetings on Tuesday because idiots like that are dying around the coast, so my head’s in my hands.”
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Mr Somers has been contacted by Energy Voice for comment.
In the videos, taken last week, he said he “chose today because the weather is so calm and clear”, but the BSUP said Mr Somers put himself in a “very exposed and vulnerable position”.
Mr Gratwick said: “Out to sea, when the wind speed picks up to 10 knots, which it does all the time, then you’re never going to make it back, even if you’re a really strong paddler.”
RWE, the majority shareholder of the Rampion windfarm, had no comment, but pointed to its online safety leaflet which states that weather conditions “can be very different compared to the coast” at Rampion.
Dozens of people have commented their concerns on the video, including two with over 60,000 likes each highlighting his lack of lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
On the final video, Mr Somers tells of his exhaustion – and sunburn – following a total of eight hours at sea.
While at the Rampion offshore windfarm, 10 miles out to sea in the English Channel, he said “this really would be the worst place to get a puncture, so I’m trying to be careful”.
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Mr Gratwick, of the BSUP, reacted: “There’s three things you should think about is your location, flotation and communication before you go paddleboarding.
“His flotation is compromised, and his location is unsuitable. His communication – he’s got a phone, which is great – but you need flotation, and the location wasn’t suitable.
“I would say it’s more by luck than judgement that he executed that.”
Paddleboarding has surged in popularity, rising from 1.8 million activities yearly in 2020 to 3.7m in 2021, which has brought rise to a “spectrum of behaviors”, and increased call outs for emergency crews.
Samantha Hughes of the RNLI’s Water Safety team said: “Paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are all extremely popular, especially during the summer months, and the RNLI has seen a large increase in our lifeboats and beach lifeguards going to the aid of people involved in these kinds of activities over the past few years.
“That’s why it’s important to be aware of some simple safety advice which could save your life. If you are heading out on the water, we would always advise you to wear a suitable personal flotation device for your activity.
“If you are on a paddleboard, choose the right releasable leash for the location you are paddling.”
Other measures like wearing a leash to the board and having a communications device are also advised.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “We encourage everyone to enjoy our coastline safely. Our advice is to check conditions before you leave, and make sure your skill levels are appropriate for where you are paddleboarding or kayaking. It’s recommended you wear a buoyancy aid and have a way of calling for help such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
“It is always a good idea to let someone know what your plans are. Downloading the RYA SafeTrx app is a simple-to-use way of automatically informing HM Coastguard of your voyage plans, dynamic location and even a direct 999 connection in the event of distress.”