A spate of incidents involving paddle boarders has prompted a safety warning from Teignmouth RNLI.

In the latest incident, four paddle boarders got into difficulty on the River Teign on Monday evening (July 13). The Teignmouth lifeboat crew were paged, but before they could launch, a local boat owner on the river stepped in to help the casualties get back to shore safely.

Teignmouth RNLI said the hot weather has brought out more water users, and some are getting caught out by the sea conditions - including several paddle boarders.

A spokesperson said: “The River Teign is a fast-flowing body of water, and the tidal flow can be extremely strong, particularly around the estuary and harbour entrance.

“Always check the conditions before heading out and make sure your plans match your ability.”

Paddle boarders are advised to wear a buoyancy aid, to carry a phone in a waterproof pouch, to steer clear of offshore winds and to wear the correct leash for their activity and location; a coiled leash for flat water, or a quick-release waist leash on moving water where there’s a risk of entanglement.

Visitors to local beaches are also urged to be aware of the sea conditions on many exposed south coastal areas, caused by strong easterly winds and large spring tides

The RNLI spokesperson said: “While these locations usually offer calm, sheltered bathing conditions, they are currently experiencing large breaking waves, strong currents and unpredictable conditions in the water.

“The strong winds are expected to continue for several more days, increasing the risk for anyone entering the sea.”

The beaches at Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren and Exmouth are patrolled between 10am and 6pm by lifeguards who can advise on sea conditions and general safety. Elsewhere, beachgoers are advised to check the local conditions before visiting.