A SURFER desperately clinging to a rock in the sea off Lynmouth had to be rescued by helicopter at the weekend as conditions were too dangerous for the lifeboat.

Now officials in Minehead have pleaded with water sports enthusiasts not to push themselves beyond their capabilities.

Their station’s Atlantic 85-class boat was launched just before lunchtime on Sunday after coastguards received a number of calls about a group of surfers apparently in difficulties off Lynmouth.

All were struggling in large waves thrown up after 48 hours of storm force winds but most of the group managed to make shore safely.

However, one was found clinging to a large rock between Lynmouth harbour and Sillery Sands by the time the lifeboat arrived on scene 15 minutes after being launched.

Lifeboat helmsman Paul Arnold said: “How he was managing to hold on we had no idea because every other wave was breaking over him.

“Conditions were so rough we had no chance of getting in close to take him off so we had to stand off and mark his position for a helicopter.”

The man, in his 30s, was eventually winched off by a coastguard rescue helicopter from St Athan, in South Wales, and landed on Lynmouth sea front, shaken but unharmed.

Minehead RNLI spokesman Chris Rundle said the man had been extremely fortunate in having enough strength to cling to the rock.

“Had he been washed off he would most likely have suffered serious injury,” he said.

“We are getting a lot more winter calls to kayakers and surfers who are taking advantage of the fact that better equipment and clothing is now available enabling them to go out in winter weather but who have not always thought enough about the additional challenges that weather brings.

“Even half an hour battling against large waves and strong currents can be exhausting, particularly when the ambient temperature is low.

“We want people to enjoy the sea and the coastline but to do so responsibly, not to the point where they require the intervention of the rescue services.”