Beach season: How to spot and avoid rip currents at the beach

‘Rip currents remain the greatest cause of drowning around our coastline,’ said the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

By: Storm Simpson

With the festive season in full swing, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is cautioning the public about the dangers of rip currents.

RIP CURRENTS GREATEST CAUSE OF DROWNING ON THE COAST

“NSRI are appealing to the public to have a safety conscious mindset in and around water. We are appealing to inland bathers swimming at rivers, lakes, dams, in any body of water or even in your swimming pool at home to keep safety top of mind,” said Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

“Rip currents remain the greatest cause of drowning around our coastline,” said Lambinon in a separate cautionary statement.

How to spot a rip current, according to the NSRI:

• A change in the incoming pattern of waves (often the waves are not breaking in a rip channel);
• Water through a surf zone that is a different colour to the surrounding water;
• Turbulent or choppy water in the surf zone in a channel or river-like shape flowing away from the beach
• Seaweed, sand ‘clouds’ or debris moving out to the backline where waves are forming through the surf zone

The NSRI has released a video summarising what the public needs to know about rip currents. Watch it below.

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