Rips - and whats the worst that can happen?

[Tyler]

Ok, need some help on how to read one, I hear its the bit where the waves arent breaking so SHLD be easy to spot, but are there any other tips? Also is it true u can ride one to get out back, what are the inherent risks or paddling out in one if you wanna get out back? And any tips on using these beasts to get out back?
(lol - best to chk these things out on land first lol!)
T

[Phil]

well im guessing your not an experanced surfer,if your asking what a rip is so its best to avoid them, they can help you get out back on big days but only use them if you know what your doing, or you could find yourself out back and out of your depth

if you do find your self caught in one dont panic, just paddle across it to get out, dont try paddling into it you will just waste your energy

[surferdude_scarborough]

do rips stop after the breaking waves or did i make that up?

[ken]

That would make sense cus the its the waterf rom the waves going back out so its make a channel between the waves

[Phil]

depends how strong they are really, they get weaker as they pass breaking waves but some rips can be really strong and take you out way past the breaking waves, depends on the size of the surf and how easy it is for the water to flow back out off the beach

[Tyler]

yep, inexperienced, but if I do get caught, why dont I just ride it all the way out? ok so I'll be way way out back, but I'll be on my board, so I just gotta do some paddling parallel to shore, but the rip will eventually stop right?
and isn't the biggest danger of a rip the fact that most people try to fight against it, get tired and then drown?
so if u go with the flow, where's the danger?

[Phil]

the danger would be geting back in if it was big out back say 8-10ft faces, its unlikley you would get caught in much of a rip on a small day on most beaches. so if you did just go with it you could find your self out back in big waves trying to figure out how to get back in with out eating it big time

[Tyler]

Ahh da penny drops. lol! Thnx

Hhmm so how long u been surfing, and when can I tag along, ho ho ho!
T

[PapaW]

Additionally at certain spots the rips will take you out into the tidal flows.. inwhich case your really screwed then!

[kitesurfer]

The sea demand respect at all times, even when it's flat things can go wrong. If you're an inexperienced surfer it would be unwise to use rips to help you get out back. I always work on the theory if i can't paddle outback under my steam then i shouldn't be there.

KS

[drowningbitbybit]

Q. "What's the worst that can happen?"


A. Drowning.

[Matt Waterman]

Q. "What's the worst that can happen?"


A. Drowning.

Blunt end to the thread

[GowerCharger]

Additionally at certain spots the rips will take you out into the tidal flows.. inwhich case your really screwed then!

what he said.
A lot of people get the two confused, and a rip could take you out back and a bit further and if you dont know what your doing you could find yourself caught in a current going round a headland or something which is potential big trouble.

If you dont know about rips then avoid them and paddle across them if you get caught in one, as surfing is hard to learn it gives you plenty of time to pick up these things as you progress. For example at one local beach here there is a rip you can use to get out but it continues out a long way and you need to constantly paddle against it to stay on the peak, if you get dragged right out there are no waves to help you ride back in and it can be a real mission.

[dougirwin13]

Look for the channel (you might want to get up higher).

Non-breaking sections can help you find the channel/rip.

as for the safety factor... If you are unexpectedly caught in a rip first DONT PANIC. Look around quickly for the closest breaking waves and then paddle ACROSS the rip in that direction.

Most rips slow down quite quickly away from shore and even have a tendancy to swing parallel to the shore once they are past the surf zone. Keep your head and you should be fine... As long as you arer tethered to a "flotation device"

-doug

[tube man]

theres a big rip at sudz down the road from me when i was younger before i started surfin i was swimmin got caught in it and had the life boats but seriously if u dont know wht ur doin stay well away other wise it could be the last thing u do.
dave

[southwestsurfer]

In school today we had swimming and we did paddling against rips. Pretty stupid, me being the only surfer I knew it was an impossible mission but still a laugh. W had about 25 guys walking round in a circle and two of us trying to swim against the current (rip) the circle let off. well fun

[Driftingalong]

9/14/2006 OCEAN CITY, MD - The U.S. Coast Guard and Ocean City Police are reporting that a father and daughter were pulled out to sea off Ocean City. Ocean City Beach Patrol got reports of the father and 3 daughters in trouble near 78th street around 6 p.m. Thursday. They say a 13 year old swam to shore and an off-duty firefighter paramedic rescued the 17 year old. Rip currents pulled 15 year old Amy Martin out to sea. Her father, 46 year old Douglas Martin swam after her. The U-S Coast Guard recovered the father's body, the daughter died at Atlantic General Hosptial. The family was on vacation from Columbia, Maryland.

[rich r]

Y'know - it's tragic when something like that happens.

But - this is a pic of conditions today in New Jersey. Conditions in Maryland where probably a bit rougher than this yesterday.

What made this family think that water this rough was good to swim in, especially given that life guards are no longer on duty? This happens every year up and down the coast. A Hurricane just blew by, and people think it's a good time to go play in the waves.

People just don't seem to get it that in water like this, going up to your knees is a dangerous proposition because it can and will knock you down and drag you out. And 6 p.m. nowadays, it's starting to get dark. Night time playing in rough water. Not smart.

[cj]

Bro, you are doing exactly what you should be doing, by learning about them beforehand. That is the absolute most important thing. Learn about what they are, and how they work, and how you can use them.

I say, in short. They are safe, just remember you have to swim to one side of the other to get out of them.

I had a bad experience with one once, my buddy led me out into one, and I never surfed on the ocean before (just on the great lakes) and it was an experience.

[drowningbitbybit]

A Hurricane just blew by, and people think it's a good time to go play in the waves.

Yup

And the other one that winds me up is when its invariably described as 'a freak wave' - like, they stand right next to the ocean/cliff/harbour then 'A Freak Wave' washes 'em off and away

Waves dont come in standard sizes people!!!