'˜Batman and Robin' rescue stricken Sussex surfer

A kite surfer who got into trouble in water off a Sussex beach had two unlikely superheroes come to his rescue.
Superhero 'selfie'. Derren Guile (Batman) and David Schneider (Robin) on the beach after rescuing the kite surferSuperhero 'selfie'. Derren Guile (Batman) and David Schneider (Robin) on the beach after rescuing the kite surfer
Superhero 'selfie'. Derren Guile (Batman) and David Schneider (Robin) on the beach after rescuing the kite surfer

In a real-life replica of that famous Only Fools and Horses scene, two friends dressed as Batman and Robin paddled out to rescue the ‘gobsmacked’ surfer on Sunday.

Friends David Schneider, 40, from Lancing and Derren Guile, 40, from Worthing, were in kayaks taking part in the Superhero Paddle at Shoreham Beach at the time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

David, aka Robin, said: “We were out in the water having a bit of fun and I noticed this kite surfer had got into a bit of trouble.

David said the rescued kite surfer didn't hang around because he was 'a bit embarrassed'David said the rescued kite surfer didn't hang around because he was 'a bit embarrassed'
David said the rescued kite surfer didn't hang around because he was 'a bit embarrassed'

“His kite was in the water and he was being dragged across the beach.

“I probably watched him for about ten minutes and thought ‘he’s not getting that back up’, so I paddled over, obviously dressed as Robin and called my comrade to help me.

“He was gobsmacked when we turned up. He just looked round and said ‘oh no’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I said ‘it’s not every day Batman and Robin come to save you is it?’.”

The superhero friends then helped the stunned but relieved man back to shore, before returning to collect his surfboard.

“He wasn’t drowning but he was in trouble,” David said. “Unless he got his kite back up he was going to struggle, and the southwesterly wind was dragging him across.

“I would have thought another kite surfer might have helped him because they normally do, but it became obvious no one was coming.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In an episode named as one of the greatest ever for the classic BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, ‘Del Boy’ and Rodney are running through London to what they think is a fancy dress party dressed as the caped crusaders.

The stumble upon a woman being mugged by her car, but just as the attackers are about to snatch her handbag, out of the darkness and fog appear the duo, causing the robbers to flea and the victim to stare, mouth open in disbelief.

Of course when they arrived the fancy dress party has turned into a funeral, causing even more laughs at Del and Rodney’s expense.

“Lots of people have been having a good laugh, there’s been quite a bit of mickey-taking as you’d expect,” said David.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Obviously I’ve seen that famous Only Fools and Horses episode, someone even put a photo of Del and Rodney on my Facebook page.

“We didn’t come out of the dark or surrounded by smoke like them but we were obviously dressed the same way so it was similar.”

And did the kite surfer appreciate the help?

David added: “After we returned his board to him he very quickly disappeared, I think he was a bit embarrassed.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.