The surfer was exhausted by the time he got back to the beach and lifeguards say the outcome could easily have been much worse, if they hadn’t been able to react promptly.

RNLI officials explained that the surfer was easily spotted as he had stayed in the lifeguarded zones. They quickly rushed to him and brought him back to shore on their rescue board.

Video: The rescue was caught on camera.

Kris Heron, Senior Lifeguard on duty, said: “As soon as we retrieved the surfer to the beach I performed standard casualty care procedures to make sure he didn’t require attendance by ambulance. Luckily, apart from being cold and tired, he responded well so I explained the risk of secondary drowning and advised him to see a doctor.

“We train regularly for situations like this and we go home happy at the end of the day if we’ve been able to keep the beach safe. We hope to see our surfer out enjoying the waves again very soon.”

RNLI Lifeguard St Ouen

Pictured: The RNLI Lifeguards returned to St. Ouen’s Bay on Good Friday.

The team of 24 RNLI lifeguards have been keeping islanders safe around St. Ouen’s Bay since the Easter holiday break.

They have also been patrolling St. Brelade’s Bay, Plémont and Gréve de Lecq beaches since the end of May and will be right through to the end of the summer.