Rip currents are large amounts of water at the shoreline that rush in a narrow path back to the sea. When wave conditions, shape of the offshore beach and tide elevation are just right, rip current speeds can extend as far as 3,000 feet offshore, reach 90 feet in width, and travel up to 4 feet per second.

They are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. While rip currents don’t pull swimmers under the water, they can pull even strong swimmers away from shore.