A couple of Christchurch paddleboarders faced trouble on Monday and had to be rescued by Coastguard Riverton.
Coastguard spokesman Noel Anderson said on Monday afternoon reports were received about a male and a female who could not return to the shore due to the rough weather.
"The two people got into distress after high offshore winds made it impossible to get back to shore."
The pair did not have any communication devices, but people who saw them alerted the police who quickly made contact with the coastguard.
"They would have been maybe just less than an hour [in the water]."
The paddleboarders were rescued and taken on board Coastguard Riverton’s rescue vessel, Russell John Chisholm.
"They were quickly located in Taramea Bay suffering from mild hypothermia and salt water ingestion.
"The guy was probably the worse off and he was very thankful that he was pulled out of the water that time because he may not have lasted too much longer because he had also swallowed some salt water."
He was taken to Southland Hospital for checks, he said.
Mr Anderson reminded people always to be mindful of the weather conditions.
"Just to be aware of the local dangers and the rips and the offshore winds, really.
"It happens quite often with the offshore winds — it traps people out."
He was pleased the coastguard was able to successfully complete the rescue.
