Father and son paddle boarders rescued at Crescent Beach after 911 call. Surrey Police officers and bystanders teamed up to bring them to safety.
Emergency call sparks swift response
A 911 call at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 reported two paddle boarders in distress off Crescent Beach in Surrey. The pair, a father and son, were struggling against increasing winds and strong currents. Only one of them was wearing a flotation device.
Officers act without hesitation
Two Surrey Police Service (SPS) officers were already near the beach when the emergency call came in. Realizing the urgency, they rushed to the scene. According to Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, without immediate intervention, “it would have been probably a sea rescue,” noting that the Coast Guard was at least 40 minutes away and Surrey Fire Service was not immediately available.
Kayaks and tour boat join rescue
On arrival, the officers borrowed two kayaks and an extra lifejacket from beachgoers. They paddled out to the father and son, who were already 300 to 400 metres offshore. A nearby White Rock tour boat also joined the effort, helping to secure the paddle boards and return everyone safely to land.
Outcome could have been different
Houghton said the conditions were “quite alarming” and that quick action prevented the incident from escalating. Ambulance crews assessed the father and son, who were found to be unharmed.
Safety reminder for water users
After the rescue, SPS officers provided water safety education and reminded the pair — and the public — that every person on the water must have a personal flotation device (PFD). The two paddle boarders returned home safely following the reminder.
Cooperation made the difference
Houghton credited the successful outcome to quick thinking and teamwork between police officers, local kayakers, and the nearby tour boat. “Some quick thinking and a lot of people coming together made it good,” he said.
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