A SEARCH was launched after a pair of paddle boarders got into difficulty in strong offshore winds.

The Brighton RNLI volunteer crew were called following reports of a man and a woman on one paddle board in difficulty on Sunday night.

The pair, who were spotted about 400 metres east of Brighton Palace Pier, were reportedly struggling to make it to shore.

The Brighton RNLI Random Harvest vessel launched at 7.33pm in “failing light and a breezy offshore wind”, according to a spokeswoman.

The Argus: Paddle boarders get into difficulty near Brighton Palace Pier. Credit: RNLI Paddle boarders get into difficulty near Brighton Palace Pier. Credit: RNLI

An initial sweep of the coast found no casualties, but upon the return leg of the search, a paddle board was seen on the beach, with two people packing it away.

A crew went ashore, and confirmed the pair had been afloat and struggling in the wind.

Brighton Lifeboat operations manager Roger Cohen said: “We are pleased that both paddleboarders were okay.

“When there is an offshore wind, you can quickly find yourself a long way from the shore and it can be extremely difficult to get back as this lady found out.

“We understand that stand up paddleboards are very popular at the moment, and we are expecting to see many of them on the beaches this summer.

“We hope that people will take the proper precautions and steps to ensure that they can enjoy them safely on the water.”

Mr Cohen said if you are planning on using a paddleboard at the beach, please make sure to always choose a lifeguarded beach, check the tide and weather conditions before heading out and carry a means of calling for help on your person in case of an emergency’

“Stand up paddle boarding can be a lot of fun, but it is important to remember that as with any water sport it can be potentially dangerous as well if not taken seriously,” he added.

“The RNLI is reminding people of the simple steps they can take to stay safe and reduce their chances of getting into trouble such as taking time to plan their paddle, tell a friend where they are going, and prepare well before taking to the water.”