What is a Rip Current?
A rip current, sometimes referred to as a rip, is a moving current of water, sometimes strong or fast flowing. It will usually start near the shoreline and flow away from the beach. It may feel like you are in a fast moving flow of water, like being in a river or you may not notice it at all.
The above animation shows how a rip current generally works with the orange area showing the water moving in towards the beach through waves and the purple area showing how the water moves back out to sea away.
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© Rob Brander
The above image demonstrates the movement of water back out sea using dye. The dye was released on the beach and flowed back out to sea in the rip current.
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© Andrew Short
An overhead view of a rip current dominated beach.
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© USLA
An overhead view of a rip current.
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