British holidaymakers are being urged to think twice before entering any body of water this summer after an experienced swimmer nearly drowned at a popular beach in Fuerteventura. The woman, visiting Grandes Playas beach in Corralejo, fought powerful currents while trying to rescue a friend who was in even greater difficulty, with no lifeguards reportedly responding to calls for help.
The Terrifying Incident
Journalist Abigail Hunt, writing in the Daily Star, described how her friend narrowly survived the ordeal during a birthday trip. The incident occurred as more than 15 open-water-related deaths were recorded in the UK during a recent heatwave.
“The idea of my best friend being in that position is difficult to process even now,” Hunt wrote. “She described the terrifying reality of what happened. One moment she was enjoying the water, the next she found herself being pushed under by a powerful force she couldn’t control.”
Despite being a strong swimmer, Hunt’s friend was unable to stay above the surface. Every attempt to keep afloat seemed futile as she swallowed mouthfuls of seawater. Then she saw her friend struggling even more, clearly in distress and reaching out as panic set in. In that split second, she made a decision: despite fighting for her own life, she turned back. Somehow, she managed to grab hold of her friend and bring them both back toward shore.
Broader Context and Warnings
The incident echoes recent tragedies in the UK, where at least 15 open-water-related deaths were recorded during the recent heatwave. On Wednesday, Surrey County Council issued a warning about the dangers of swimming as forecasters predict more warm weather this week. A spokesperson for the local authority said: “It’s important to understand the dangers of swimming in open water, including in local lakes.”
Grandes Playas beach in Corralejo is a popular destination for families and friend groups visiting the Canary Islands, which attracts around 6 million Brits each year, according to airport operator Aena.
Key Safety Advice
Hunt warned: “We need to do more to raise awareness about water safety... The sea does not care how confident you are. It does not care how fit you are. We need to teach our children – and remind ourselves – about the risks that exist beneath the surface. We need to understand currents, rip tides and changing conditions before stepping into open water. Most importantly, we need to recognise that confidence is not the same as safety.”
Experts recommend always swimming at lifeguard-patrolled beaches, checking local conditions, and never swimming alone. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until free, then head back to land.
