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Drifting surfer in rescue drama

_{News Item from 1996}

A PORT Talbot surfer was plucked from swirling seas off Aberavon Beach yesterday after drifting on his board. close to exhaustion a lifeboat was launched into the force six seas after the wave rider aged 34 was spotted waving frantically by a passing couple and customers in a nearby hotel. He was taken to Neath General Hospital and treated for hypothermia after his core temperature had dropped by almost four degrees centigrade.

He said he had been out for more than 90 minutes and decided to paddle back. "I turned round and saw this mini tidal wave about to break over my head.I held on to my board and clipped over. For some time I was just drifting. I have been cold many times before but this time really got me down. I made a conscious effort to get down towards the Lido and Coastguard station."I was siting on the board and,on the crest of each wave. I just gave a damn good wave.When the flare goes up your spirits soar. I can tell you." Today he was full of praise for the Coastguard service which came to his rescue and the man who alerted them. "I would like to shake that man's hand."he said The alarm had been raised by a couple walking on the front and calls also went in from the Four Winds Hotel.Lifeboat secretary Rob Harris said: "It was a difficult rescue and the surfer was in real trouble. He was outside the surf line and finding a impossible to get back."

Second Call Just After Coastguards said a second surfer had to abandon his board soon after the first incident. He made it to safely onto rocks. A worker at the Four Winds Hotel said "He must have been in the water for at least half an hour when he was seen I don't think he would of survived much longer if the boat had not arrived