Riptides are not Always Easy to Spot

Step up on the boardwalk, and read the posting for the water conditions. Possible rip currents is all it says. Rip currents are easy to recognize, because they rip harshly across ankles and feet. I think I know this because one time I waded into a riptide off of the New Jersey coast near Atlantic City. Rips kind of sting when hitting the ankles and feet. Why wouldn't these rips be the same on the southern seaboard? Walk down the boardwalk and see cadmium yellow flags along this typical Florida beach. They are waving a quiet welcome. These are displayed every day, and of course it’s always prudent to exercise caution.

Lay out the blanket for a dreamy day on the beach, and imagine the most perfect breeze. Feel the soft, springtime rays of tropical sunshine. The water is perfectly bath temperature, and the waves are only gentle three footers, but mostly swells. It's too inviting to resist.

Dabbling first isn’t necessary on this most perfect day, and it’s time for a dip. People are on the sandbar throwing a Frisbee, so it’s obviously not the right place to swim. The Frisbee Players are only in water up to their knees. Next to the sandbar is a little opening of deeper water. It's a much better entry place.

Move on in till shoulders are surrounded with that undulating sea water swirling, cooling, and so relaxing. Waves coming in always return to the shoreline, so float with them. Worries can easily drift away on a beauteous day like this. Evidently, the possible rip current mentioned on the sign isn’t meant to be part of such an ideal day. There’s nothing dangerous in sight. Eyes closed and the body is soon floating. The sun penetrates warm glints right through eyelids.

Now, try springing off the bottom of the sandy floor and catch the next wave with a sidestroke. Wait, where’s the bottom? There’s no bottom to land on, and the next wave passes over, splashing, and a little foamy. In this deeper spot something is stronger than the buoyant wave above it. It’s pulling, softly rushing faster than the wave. It’s dangerously pulling away from the shoreline instead of back in.

With the sudden realization of this dangerous natural phenomenon comes recognition of how far it’s becoming to fight this thing and get back into shore. Now panic sheers into that perfect day. Fear cuts into every part. The breath is gone momentarily in the darkness of the suddenly deeper water.

Shallow water is just nearby, but it’s impossible to get there. Lungs are stating to fill with air again. Ah! Finally, breathing returns. Go under again in the deep part, and touch, and then spring as has hard as possible. Kick and swim hard toward that area just three feet away. Fight that dangerous rip current. Once more down and under, feel for that sand to greet searching toes, and hope for the foothold to spring once more. Touch bottom and walk hard against that subtly heaving pull. At last another foothold. Swirling water still gives an invitation to Neptune’s den. Don’t go there, it’s a dangerous place.

Once on dry land, thank god, and bid the king of the sea, for sparing life, this time. Plan on heading home, and to remember always, rip currents can be there, churning yet imperceptible and dangerous in their movement. They can be lurking between sandbars where the returning tidewater flushes through in the wrong direction. Remember always that rip currents are dangerous, and not to be taken lightly.