This kayaker had a terrifying experience after falling into the sea near Devon, southwest England.

Matt had fallen off his kayak into the sea on June 19 off the coast of Combe Martin and the moment was captured by a camera attached to the device.

"My first trip out on the sea almost cost me my life! I was cocky and believed my ability was more advanced than it was and that was a huge error on my part," Matt told Newsflare.

After falling into the water, Matt tried to get back onto the kayak but failed: "I had made the assumption that getting back in would be easy so didn’t bother practising beforehand! It turned out it’s not easy and with the bad conditions, I couldn’t get back in! The guy I was with tried helping and after a five-minute struggle he managed to turn my kayak back over. However, I was now starting to suffer from jellyfish stings, freezing water and exhaustion."

The pair decided the best course of action would be to swim to shore but that proved difficult.

"I suggested I would swim to shore so he only had to tow the weight of my kayak and not me as well and I set off however a few seconds in and waves hitting my face meaning I was taking in water, I panicked and realised I wouldn’t make it!

"I called him back and pressed the button on my VHF radio a button called the DSC or (digital selective calling) which once pressed sends my location and mayday automatically."

After around five minutes the pair had made it to the beach where the RNLI arrived shortly after.

"A coastguard helicopter flew above and two RNLI lifeboats arrived the smaller rib approached and took me back to the beach.

"If I had tried to kayak back I could have fallen again and with my hyperthermic and exhausted state, I would have surely lost my life!

"From pushing the button to being seen by the helicopter was just six minutes and the GPS location sent was just a few metres from where they found me so the radio saved my life that day.

So my message is to wear the correct clothing it may be warm on land but the sea will be cold! Take the correct safety kit! And always practise before setting out! Do a course if need be!

"I was in the water for nearly an hour that day and I captured the whole event start to finish the clip here is just a few sections."

My first trip out on the sea almost cost me my life! I was cocky and believed my ability was more advanced than it was and that was a huge error on my part.

On the 19th June 2021 I left the beach of coombe martain in devon on what at first glance looked like a beautiful day it was sunny and about 18oc so left my wet suit in the car!

However after a few minutes and about half a mile from the beach the wind changed and the tide began to turn and that made conditions rough the decision was made about a mile out to anchor up and ride it out however my lack of understanding and experience meant when I reached around for my anchor a wave hit and I flipped the kayak.

I had made the assumption that getting back in would be easy so didn’t bother practicing beforehand! However turned out it’s not easy and with the bad conditions I couldn’t get back in! And was even finding it difficult to right my kayak the guy I was with tried helping and after a 5 min struggle managed to turn my kayak back over. However I was now starting to suffer from jellyfish stings, freezing water and exhaustion.

The tide made things worse. The guy with me said we should try and get to the nearest land above 200m away but after 40 mins and no progress we ditched that idea I was now in real trouble cold and exhausted!

To make it easier for him I suggested I would swim to shore so he only had to tow the weight of my kayak and not me as well and I set off however a few seconds in and waves hitting my face meaning I was taking in water I panicked and realised I wouldn’t make it! I called him back and pressed the button on my VHF radio a button called the DSC or (digital selective calling) which once pressed sends my location and mayday automatically.

5 mins later we made it to the shore I shock my friends hand and we waited only 1 min more before a coastguard helicopter flew above and 2 RNLI lifeboats arrived the smaller rib approached and took me back to the beach.

If I had tried to kayak back I could of fell again and with my hyperthermic and exhausted state I would of surely lost my life!

My story should raise awareness to the dangers of kayaking and the importance of carrying the correct safety equipment!

From pushing the button to being seen by the helicopter was just 6 minutes and the gps location sent was just a few meters from where they found me so the radio saved my life that day.

So my message is wear the correct clothing it may be warm on land but the sea will be cold! Take the correct safety kit! And always practice before setting out! Do a course if need be!

I was in the water for nearly an hour that day and I captured the whole event start to finish the clip here is just a few sections

Respect the sea!