Ever been caught in a riptide?

Question

Ever been caught in a riptide?

Answer 1

Yes.  Sucked.

Must have been about 3-5 kts. straight out.

As other's mentioned, and most everyone knows, you swim parallel to the shore.  It still took me about 1/4 mi. out just trying to get past it.  The really creepy part was that you could feel the current below you when you legs went down, or if you stopped to tread water for a second to look around, pulling on your legs like a bit of an undertow.

Over the years, I've got sucked under in surf a few times and its always scary as you assume, but never know when, the "washing machine" is going to spit you out.

The rip brought the same feeling:

I was swimming around in some small surf in a new area before kiteboarding it, so the rip really caught me by surprise.  I had always followed this recommended practice of swimming a new area first to AVOID problems.

Now, I swim/paddle around with the board for flotation (or just behind me on the leash for emotional security :) ) and to play a bit in the waves before going back and setting up the kite when I go to a new beach.

Answer 2

Yes I have. I was body surfing without fins in rough Atlantic Ocean surf. I just floated along with it & eventually swam accross it parallel to shor until I was out of the riptide.

I didn't have my Churchill swimfins that day or a boggie board to float on either. It took a good 10 minutes due to the rough surf to get into a safe area to swim  back to the shore.

Answer 3

I heven't but my friend has. It was a bad experience for her. Nobody noticed she was getting farther from shore and the lifeguard was too busy hitting on some chick. When someone did help her get to shore, she was tired, scared and angry. That's when the lifeguard approached her.

She hasn't been able to get back in the water unless it's just below the knees. Her boyfriend tried to get her in one day, but she would shake in fear. So, the next day she and I went to a protected beach where the waves were smaller and predictable. I went in with her, reassured her and gave her some pointers, so she could enjoy herself. It wasn't easy, but now she's not as afraid.

Answer 4

Lottsa times !!! I grew upon the beach in Oceanside.  Just do like you always hear, swim parallel to the beach or just let it take you out and bring you back in about a hundred yards or so down the beach.  Best advise is if you are not a good ocean swimmer stay out of the water when the rips are around.

Answer 5

Yes, don't fight it.  You have to swim parallel to the beach until you find a easy access point.