RNLI lifeguards at Challaborough rescued nine people on Sunday and lifeguards at Bantham had deja vu saving kayakers from the rip tide.

Lifeguards on duty Craig Rowles and Isaac Stoppard were kept busy assisting people who were caught in a strong rip current. The conditions included a large spring tide and four feet of surf.

At the lowest point of the tide the rip current became very strong and as a result several people got caught and began struggling.

Craig and Isaac responded immediately to bring the casualties back to safety. As Craig came out of the water, he was told about an 11-year-old boy who was suffering a medical seizure. He ran to the scene and was met by off-duty lifeguard Mike Turner who was on a Surf Lifesaving course which was taking place at the time. They provided casualty care to the boy, administering oxygen. His parents took him off the beach for further recovery.

During this incident, Isaac remained in the water to assist more people who were in trouble.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Paul Gunning and off-duty lifeguard Mike Turner maintained patrols of the bathing area for periods of time during the day while Craig and Isaac continued assisting people in the water.

In total nine people were rescued throughout the day.

At Bantham, RNLI lifeguards rescued three kayakers from rip tides – twice.

On Saturday, at 1.16pm, Bantham beach lifeguards rescued three kayakers caught in a rip tide.

After the rescue, the casualties re entered the water – but found themselves in difficulty once again.

They were rescued by Bantham Beach Lifeguards again.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: 'As the charity that saves lives at sea, it's our aim and our operational requirement to rescue people in difficulty.

'We do this without judgement and would always respond – no matter how many times we might have responded to assist a person before.

'The RNLI also works very hard to promote beach safety, and a key part of an RNLI lifeguard's role is proactively advising people and offering information about how to stay safe while visiting the beach – this is to try and help people avoid getting into danger in the first place.

'Of course, if people should get into difficulty in and around the water, the lifeguards are ready to respond immediately. We want people to enjoy their time on the beach safely but it's important to remember that the sea is a fast-changing environment.'

On Sunday, at 10.31am, Bantham RNLI Lifeguards and ambulance crew attended a woman suffering from an allergic reaction on Bantham beach. She was treated on scene by paramedics and no hospital treatment was required.