Trevone beach has signs warning of strong currents

The middle-aged novice surfer and his family had hired a surfboard at Trevone beach in north Cornwall.

The family was given safety advice, including a warning about a notorious current known as the "mad rips".

The man was rescued after the current washed him onto rocks. He was distressed and shocked, but uninjured.

The beach lifeguard who carried out the rescue said it was fortunate the surfer was being monitored by the duty lifeguard team.

Board abandoned

Oliver Myles said: "During the day the family enjoyed their time on the beach, with the parents ensuring the children only swam between the red and yellow flags.

"But then Dad decided to give the hire board a go. All was well until he lay a little too long on the board and it was washed out of his depth and toward the "mad rips".

"As I ran to pick up the rescue board I heard the man screaming.

"He was in the rip current and had abandoned the one bit of kit that would provide floatation for him - his surfboard."

Mr Myles was able to pick a safe route and take the man back to shore avoiding the rip current.