In my 30+ years of traveling to the Islands I learned real quick about how to deal with the ocean by listening to the people that I first started renting snorkeling equipment from. The first thing obviously was Never turn your back on the ocean. Next was if the waves are breaking, stay out so that you don’t get broken. Then, watch for how the water comes and goes to the shoreline. Weird water flow, as in your picture, definitely is a no go. Finally, look at which way the currents out in the water are moving because swimming against them will tire you out quickly. Of course, the directions of the currents can change in minutes.
My experience with “rips”, “riptides”, “undertows”, “rip currents” comes from 30+ years of surfing.
Once you are in a bad one go with it and don’t fight it. It will not suck you “out to sea” as it were. Maybe 100 yards or so at the very most. Once it has died out, you can swim parallel to the beach and swim in to an area with out a rip.
If you are not a strong swimmer stay out of the water if there is any sort of wave action.
I’ve had my share of helping someone who got into trouble and it was not a fun experience. Very scary as to what could have happened.
Thank you. So to reiterate, if there are waves of any sorts, which most hawaiian beaches appear, do I just stay out. Airport beach on Maui is very difficult to get out of, so wondering if it is rip currents there, or a sign that I should not go in because waves are coming in? thanks
Waves don’t always create a “rip”. A lot has to do with the type of beach, the size of waves, etc. Check with the lifeguard on duty. I no guard on duty, follow the much quote mantra ” if in doubt, don’t go out”
I do not believe that anyone said that but if waves are crashing on the beach where you want to go snorkeling expect an interesting time getting in and out of the water and if you aren’t a strong swimmer think about it and then think again as to how you will deal with what’s going on if things go sideways for you. Also, many beaches in Hawaii do not have lifeguards so then you are really on your own.
Exactly, Patrick! this is it in a nutshell. I grew up on Sandy Beach and that is what we always did. Never a problem, as kids we loved being tossed around in the “washing machine” – relax and swim with it until you can go around it. That said, Sandy’s is not for the beginner.
What exactly is swimming parallel to the shore please? Mahalo.
Hi Carol.
It means rather than returning to shore, first swimming to a nearby place without the rip current present. Then swimming to shore.
Aloha.
In my 30+ years of traveling to the Islands I learned real quick about how to deal with the ocean by listening to the people that I first started renting snorkeling equipment from. The first thing obviously was Never turn your back on the ocean. Next was if the waves are breaking, stay out so that you don’t get broken. Then, watch for how the water comes and goes to the shoreline. Weird water flow, as in your picture, definitely is a no go. Finally, look at which way the currents out in the water are moving because swimming against them will tire you out quickly. Of course, the directions of the currents can change in minutes.
There is no such thing as a
“riptide”. This is a common misnomer. This extremely dangerous condition is really a “rip current”!
My experience with “rips”, “riptides”, “undertows”, “rip currents” comes from 30+ years of surfing.
Once you are in a bad one go with it and don’t fight it. It will not suck you “out to sea” as it were. Maybe 100 yards or so at the very most. Once it has died out, you can swim parallel to the beach and swim in to an area with out a rip.
If you are not a strong swimmer stay out of the water if there is any sort of wave action.
I’ve had my share of helping someone who got into trouble and it was not a fun experience. Very scary as to what could have happened.
Thank you. So to reiterate, if there are waves of any sorts, which most hawaiian beaches appear, do I just stay out. Airport beach on Maui is very difficult to get out of, so wondering if it is rip currents there, or a sign that I should not go in because waves are coming in? thanks
Waves don’t always create a “rip”. A lot has to do with the type of beach, the size of waves, etc. Check with the lifeguard on duty. I no guard on duty, follow the much quote mantra ” if in doubt, don’t go out”
I do not believe that anyone said that but if waves are crashing on the beach where you want to go snorkeling expect an interesting time getting in and out of the water and if you aren’t a strong swimmer think about it and then think again as to how you will deal with what’s going on if things go sideways for you. Also, many beaches in Hawaii do not have lifeguards so then you are really on your own.
Exactly, Patrick! this is it in a nutshell. I grew up on Sandy Beach and that is what we always did. Never a problem, as kids we loved being tossed around in the “washing machine” – relax and swim with it until you can go around it. That said, Sandy’s is not for the beginner.