Wrightsville Beach lifeguards get one-of-a-kind rescue paddleboards

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue is the first lifeguard group in the country to use a new rescue paddleboard designed by a local paddleboard company.

WB Ocean Rescue Captain Jeremy Owens says paddleboards are very important tools they use almost every day.

“We use them for rip current rescues you know when the victims are out a good ways,” Owens said. “We use them for kiteboard rescues, boat rescues, pretty much any time we would swim, but the board are just nice to have because you can get to the victim quickly and it provides a lot of flotation if you have multiple victims.”

Prone2Paddle Owner Cliff Ray knew the technology for rescue boards needed to be updated. That’s why he says he collaborated with lifeguards in Wrightsville Beach to create these one-of-a-kind boards.

“We have given them the ability to stand up on a stable board to search for their victim so just that one thing is really going to be a game changer for the lifesaving industry,” Ray said.

Ray focused on improving stability, speed, and functionality and the boards are made from 100% recyclable material. 

Ray started the company back in 2014 for a reason near and dear to his heart.

“I have a passion for this because my father actually died in a drowning accident when I was 15, back in 1996, so my passion behind this really wants to see that this board could be supplied to all of the lifeguard agencies across the country and the world quite frankly.”

The first two boards were delivered to the guards in Wrightsville Beach Monday and are now ready to be used if needed.

Prone2Paddle is currently the only paddleboard company on the east coast that makes their products in US.