How to deal with currents?
Coming from a landlocked country, it can be quite a strange phenomenon to befriend the ocean. In order to have fun in the waves it is essential to know about currents.
What is a current?
The biggest danger that we’re facing is the so called rip current which is water in motion, pulling you out to the open ocean.
On the above picture we can see two black arrows pointing down – towards the sandbanks, where the breaking waves are. Here we find shallow water that is how waves can break and can safely take us to shore.
Between the two sandbanks (red arrows pointing towards open ocean) we find the area of rip current.
How to identify the rip current?
If you go to the beach and look at the ocean, at certain parts of the beach you see waves breaking.
- The area in between sandbanks, where there are no waves breaking, is the area of the rip current.
- Water here has different color
- Waves are choppy, unorganized
- Trash, driftwood is floating around
Know before you go
- The best way to go before entering the water for a surf or a swim is to check the specifics of the beach. Feel free to ask local lifeguards and surfers, they will be happy to help you.
- As a swimmer you have a lot less flotation than with a surf-or bodyboard so if you want to go swimming do it only in the secured area – between yellow-red flags where the lifeguards patrol the beach.
- If you would get stuck in the current, don’t panic, stay calm.
- Don’t try to swim directly to shore but parallel to the beach, towards the breaking waves.
- If you can’t manage on your own, put a fist in the air and shout for help.
- Again, if you stay calm, you will end up at the shore
In the below video you find a detailed description what to do in case of getting stuck in the rip.
Be safe and have fun in the water!
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