TWO body boarders have been rescued from rocks close to Whiterocks beach near Portrush.
The alarm was raised at 4.30pm yesterday when a member of the public contacted the RNLI to report two body boarders were trapped at the mouth of a cave at the east end of the beach.
Three lifeguards, Stephen Parish, Ali Boyd and Bosco McAuley, launched their rescue craft.
In waves that reached well over head height, the lifeguards reached the scene, around 500 metres offshore but a heavy swell made it impossible to bring the rescue craft close to the trapped pair.
With the waves breaking over the men's heads, the lifeguards waited until there was a lull before Mr McAuley jumped into the water and swam to the rocks.
The first body boarder went into the water and was brought by Mr McAuley to the waiting craft and returned to shore.
When the lifeguards returned to the rocks to rescue the second body boarder, he was showing signs of exhaustion.
Mr McAuley once again swam out to the man as Mr Boyd kept the rescue water craft close, circling to ensure he stayed clear of the waves and avoided the rocks.
When back on shore both men were brought to the lifeguard hut and given casualty care.
Mr McAuley said: "It was a busy day on the beach yesterday and we are always conscious that there can be things happening anywhere at anytime.
"We had just finished an exercise and were able to launch the rescue water craft immediately.
"Despite the warm day, the sea swell was huge with massive waves breaking over the heads of the body boarders as they waited on rocks.
"They had managed to scramble on these rocks when they got into difficulty and were able to wait for help.
"This was a rescue where every second counted and thankfully these two men are now home safe and well."
