Lifeguards have reported saving nine lives in one day at Lowestoft beach at the start of the summer holidays.

On Friday, July 19, when there was a strong current, the first rescue was a kayaker who paddled out to sea but struggled to fight against the tide to return to shore.

The second was due to a sandbank that had formed 650 feet out to sea. Five people paddled out aiming to reach the exposed sand but got swept out by a strong tide.

The third rescue was a bodyboarder who had aimed to reach the sandbank.

The fourth and final incident involved two children who swam just out of their depth and were swept by the strong current underneath the pier.

Lifeguards rescued the children at the end of the pier and took them back to safety, where they were given oxygen until the Coastguard and Ambulance arrived.

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The lifeguards on duty that day were Luke Barton, Oliver Owen, Sophie Lomas and brothers Sam and Josh Stephens. 

RNLI senior lifeguard, Luke Barton, said: "It was a really busy day for us at Lowestoft beach with our lifeguards really being tested.

"In total we rescued nine people, most of whom were paddleboarders trying to reach the sandbank off Lowestoft Beach.

"With a fast-moving tide and with the strong wind they all struggled to get back to the beach and wouldn’t have made it without the help from our lifeguards.

"We also faced a rescue of two young children at the end of Lowestoft Pier, once again because of strong tides and currents. Both casualties required casualty care.

"We always recommend people swim in between the red and yellow flags, come talk to your lifeguards about the conditions and tides of the day.

"It is vital paddleboarders wear a lifejacket and take a means of communication in case help is needed.

"We couldn’t be more proud of the team on Lowestoft beach that day. We faced it head-on and had successful outcomes to all the incidents."