Rip Currents?

Question

How often is it that you will get pulled out from a rip current? As I am looking into starting surfing I've been trying to research this. It looks pretty visible from a high point on shore, but it seems it might not be so easy to spot while in the water.

Answer 1

learn to read the beach before you start playing in rips...Ask but you will generally see a flatter spot in the waves this is the water going back out and causing the waves to lose some momentum

Answer 2

There's a few spots near me that usually have rip currents, but you quickly realize your getting farther from the shore, and can paddle north or south to get out of it and your fine. They're really not too dangerous, as long as you don't tire yourself out by trying to paddle in against the current.

Answer 3

Rips are a good thing for surfers.  Makes paddling out in rougher surf a lot easier, plus the channel from the rip causes the wave to back off a little when you want a shoulder to pull out on.  Don't worry about rips, just paddle across them with the drift if you have a problem.

In my area the bar at the edge of a rip sometimes causes the wave to break very clean, almost like a small groin.

Answer 4

It depends where you are.

Rip currents are not very visible while in the water, and are often underwater so are impossible to see from anywhere.

It is important to talk to life guards and watch the waves for a few minutes before surfing somewhere you do not no well.

As long as you know how to get out of a rip current you have nothing to worry about.