The 23-year-old drifted away from a stream at Llangennith, called Diles Lake, and out to sea in a strong offshore wind.

The alarm was raised by members of the public, with Swansea Coastguard tasking Burry Port inshore lifeboat, Rhossili coastguards and an RAF Sea King helicopter from Chivenor, Devon.

But two body boarders got to the stranded man first, and helped him get ashore, leaving the raft to the elements.

The raft consisted of a silver seat on top of 10 white barrels, green wood and batons, with the man holding a paddle.

A Swansea Coastguard spokesman said it was something you might come across in the Mumbles Raft Race.

“Unfortunately, this guy was not well prepared,” he said. “He was not wearing a lifejacket – only shorts.

“This was rather an idiot thing to do. The outcome could have been so different if the body boarders had not seen him.”

It is understood the man, who was from the West Midlands area, was suffering from shock, but did not wish to go to hospital.

The incident happened at around 4pm on Friday, in moderate seas.

The coastguard spokesman urged water users to take care.

“Check the weather conditions and tide times, and stay well within your limits,” he said.